The possibility of the Peruvian team playing friendlies against European rivals such as Italy has been ruled out by coach Jorge Fossati. The coach had already expressed that he was not prepared to travel long distances to practice games due to the time it would take just to get there. Now he revealed which teams the Bicolor will be competing against Concacaf.
“They will be Central American rivals, they are 99% further along. There are two teams from there that recently played against Argentina, Uruguay and even Brazil,” the Uruguayan explained to RPP. The strategist explained that he views these games positively because they will give him an idea of which teams he will face in the 2024 Copa América.
“They are important rivals that will allow us to compete against elements with characteristics similar to those we will see in the Copa América,” he added. Fossati assured that he even rejected offers from China due to the inconvenience of the distance.
Which rivals will Peru face in friendlies?
According to the coach's hints, Peru could face Panama and Nicaragua, who played Argentina and Uruguay respectively in 2023. Guatemala would also be involved, it was said in the sports press a few days ago.
When does the Peruvian team play?
The Peruvian team's next friendlies would be played in March 2024 as part of the first FIFA date of the year. Although everything indicates that the games would take place in Lima, they would not take place in the National Stadium but in other locations.
“The idea of playing is in Peru. The national stadium is occupied. Return to the monumental? We will inform you. And not just monumental,” concluded the former coach of the Universitario de Deportes.
Will Jorge Fossati call Oliver Sonne?
“What we take into account is that, as I said, I don't bring anyone from abroad and promise that he will play the whole game, that he will come in… But if he comes from abroad.” “If he is abroad and not “If he's in the position he normally takes, we'd rather use someone who's here,” he explained.