Guillermo Barros Schelotto ahead of Peru vs. Paraguay: “It's an opportunity to show where we stand”

The Peruvian national team will face its Paraguay counterpart this Tuesday, March 29 as part of the 18th date of the South American Qualifiers. A win will allow the 'bicolor' to enter the repechage prior to the Qatar 2022 World Cup. However, for the 'Guaraní' this clash has another meaning, since they are outside any classification option. In that regard, coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto spoke about this meeting and the opportunity his team had to show what level they are at.

“It's a new opportunity we have to show where we stand. Against Ecuador we played a very good match, we corrected many things with respect to the previous four matches and we started to build something to get excited about,” the Argentine coach said at a press conference prior to the commitment that will be played at the National Stadium in Lima.

Now, about the match itself, he stressed that it will be similar to the one they had against Ecuador, where they were able to win by 3 to 1. However, he is aware that the result of this confrontation in the Peruvian capital will also be transcendental for other disputed teams such as Colombia and Chile. “This match against Peru will be played under the same stage as the one we had against Ecuador. A team that if they win will play the repechage. All the expectation will be set on this match. According to this result, other teams will have opportunities. So, it's a stage that I love to be in. We will play with honesty, responsibility and professionalism to the fullest, to try to win. That's why we play and that's why we like football so much. We will try to make a good match with Peru, each one with their desire, their intentions and their possibilities,” he said.

And it is that in that meeting with the 'northerners' they showed a different and more renewed version compared to how they faced almost all this qualifying process. For this reason, he is a careful rival for the 'white-roja', who will seek to impose her game of possession and attack to seal her pass to the repechage.

CASUALTIES AND MIDFIELD MANAGEMENT

On the other hand, the 'Twin' spoke of the absences he has for this match, although he did not specify his replacements. He also touched on the theme of the functioning of the midfield with the understanding between his players. “We have changes forced by suspension, I have until tomorrow to see them. Robert Rojas is recovered and available. Andrés Cubas and Richard Ortiz understood each other very well. Almirón raised the level, so did Richard Sanchez. I think the midfield worked very well against Ecuador and they can play together again,” he added.

Precisely, there are two players for whom the coach must decide for his starting eleven: Oscar Romero and Jesús Medina. The Boca Juniors steering wheel is the one with the most experience and could be the one that started. “They are both talented, quality players, back and forth, who can give a lot of things to our midfield. Perhaps with Oscar you will have a little more experience and peace of mind when it comes to playing such an important game. With Jesus he may have the boldness of the youngest. We are going to define it tomorrow,” he said.

IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

Finally, Guillermo knows that the 'Albirroja' is in the process of being built, so he hopes that little by little they will be able to find a level that will allow them to compete with the best teams. “The better rivals we can find on our way is going to be much better. It's the best way we can balance ourselves with the best. Obviously, we have to continue building the team little by little, but it has to be supported by the results,” he concluded.

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