Peru vs. Paraguay: Julio Enciso, the 'Guarani' jewel that will seek to shine in a duel for Qatar 2022 Qualifiers

The Peruvian national team will play in home condition this Tuesday, March 29 against its Paraguayan counterpart in a clash valid for the 18th date of the South American Qualifiers. Obviously, the slogan of the 'bicolor' is none other than winning to ensure its passage to the pre-World Cup playoffs in Qatar 2022. However, on the front he will have a team that has one player to take into account, striker Julio Enciso.

One can quickly wonder who is the player in question. Well, it is one of the jewels of football in his country and that has dazzled everyone at the age of 18. Therefore, in this article we will tell you a little more about his beginnings, his debut in the First Division, his participation with the 'Albirroja' and the interest he has attracted from clubs in Europe.

Julio Cesar Enciso was born on January 23, 2004 in Caaguazú, a city located in the department that bears the same name. All the minor categories were held at the Libertad club until his debut in the First Tigo Vision Blanco Cup (First Division) of Paraguay on March 16, 2019, entering the 71 minutes by current Alianza Lima player Edgar Benitez. It was a 4-0 win for his team against Club Deportivo Santaní.

The following year, he played his first Copa Libertadores match at the age of 16 in the clash against Jorge Wilstermann of Bolivia. In fact, he did it big, because on the first ball he touched, he sent it to the back of the rival goal. But a year later he won his first title: the Apertura tournament.

Since then, his level has been rising, although at certain times he has gained his temper. Roque Santa Cruz himself shares a team with Enciso and acknowledged that he still needs to mature in that regard. “It is our responsibility to guide him, it is something that is solved in the dressing room, he is in the process of having to adapt his character to what best suits his professional life for when he is on a different level. These are situations that you will learn to manage, that type of reaction must know how to control it. Julio wants to score the goals, he has a very high demand, that's fine, but he must also know how to control his temper,” said the experienced attacker after a match this year where Julio got upset with his teammate for not passing the ball to him being in a better position facing the goal.

So far since his first matches in the top division of 'Guaraní' football, Julio Enciso has 21 goals and 7 assists in 63 games. More than redeemable numbers for a footballer of that age.

PARTICIPATION WITH PARAGUAY NATIONAL TEAM

These figures caused him to be called up by Guillermo Barros Schelotto to the adult selection for the qualifying matches. His debut came in the match against Uruguay where his team lost 1-0. However, in the last match where they beat Ecuador 3-1, they provided an assist, where he showed his talents and great qualities to be an attacker with a height of 1.73 centimeters. “I am very happy about today's match, with my family who came to see me. I thank God first and the 'teacher' (Guillermo Barros Schelotto) for giving me the opportunity. Every player who enters gives his best and we hope to continue that way”, were his words after the match.

INTEREST OF EUROPE

On the other hand, his performances have captured the interest of European clubs such as Atalanta from Italy and Brighton from England, teams that have been following him and could sign him for the next transfer market that starts in July of this year.

STYLE OF PLAY

As mentioned above, Julio Enciso works as a striker, but not in a position as a center, but rather one who comes out to play with the wheels and can also move around the sides or as a playmaker. He has good handling of both profiles with which he can take powerful shots from any sector of the rival area. Likewise, his young age allows him to take advantage of speed and win easily in 1v1 duels. Without a doubt, a player that the 'white-red' will have to take into account if he does not want to get a surprise in Lima.

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