The Peruvian a href="https://www.infobae.com/tag/seleccion-peruana/" rel="noopener noreferrer" national team has grown exponentially over the past 7 years. Since the arrival of Ricardo Gareca, it has turned it into a competitive team capable of facing any opponent. This has been valued by Renato Tapia, who hopes that the Argentine coach will extend his stay and stay longer in Videna, considering that they still have to win a title.
“We hope he will stay for a long time and try to win a title with him. Especially with this generation that has given many triumphs, many life lessons. I think he said it in an interview, which feels great in Peru. In fact, working outside the country is very difficult. Especially in these long processes such as a qualifying round, I think it's tiring. Not only in him, but also in us. We'll see what he decides, but I'm sure it will be the best thing for him, the national team and the people around us,” said the flyer in an interview for the DirecTV Sports Peru program 'DirecTV Connection'.
In addition, the Celta de Vigo player highlighted the qualities of the DT, among which his great management of the squad and virtue to convince him to exploit the team's capabilities. “Gareca is very genuine and capable. The control he has over the group is exquisite. That power of convincing, of believing in the things he wants to impose on the group. What he wants to do, knowing also what we can give, I think makes him put us in another position. Out there in taking matches that, even from people inside, I didn't think about winning. I think that by talent we are one of the best teams in South America. A lot of people don't trust our talent but out there you think we can handle it in the best way. Individually, we have grown, but the group is above all else,” he added.
When the 'Tiger' arrived in the national territory in 2015 to take over the reins of the 'white-red', he left some interesting phrases that could summarize his work intention, which was reflected in the subsequent results:
“It's the most important challenge of my life in my sports career.”
“I believe in the Peruvian player.”
“I'm not going to work with names but with those who are fit to form a competitive team.”
However, the ones that stood out the most were the second and third, since from the beginning he did not doubt the qualities of the Peruvian footballer. He always wanted the national team to play as it did throughout its history: with the ball flush to the ground and the good touch through an attractive football for the spectator.
Although it took time to capture it, the consequences came to light with the running of the matches: first he won third place in the Copa América in Chile in 2015. Then, after several matches with irregular results in the 2018 Qualifiers for Russia, he bet on young players who at that time stood out in Liga 1 such as Edison Flores, Raúl Ruidíaz, Miguel Trauco, among others. In turn, he left out elements of experience such as Claudio Pizarro, Juan Manuel Vargas, Jefferson Farfan, Carlos Zambrano and Luis Advíncula. However, the latter three resumed their best level and restarted with the team that had a subsequent takeoff.
What came next are the following historical events:
- Quarter finals at the Copa America Centenario 2016
- Second place in Copa America Brazil 2019
- Fourth place in Copa América Brazil 2021
In addition, the strategist 'gaucho' managed to take the national team to a World Cup after 36 years. This happened for the 2018 Russia edition and is currently only one match (repechage) away from getting the quota for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. For this reason, it would not be surprising if the FPF is preparing to renew the DT contract, although it will also have to wait for its intentions, especially because of the long period it has directed Peru while away from its country.
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