Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group C - Peru Team Review

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Peru

FIFA World Ranking: 11
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 1.50
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 1.44
Qualifying Top Scorer: Edison Flores and Paolo Guerrero (5)
World Cup Best Performance: Quarter Finals (1970)

Group C Opponents: Australia, Denmark and France


The Manager: Ricardo Gareca
Back in the lead up to the 1986 World Cup, Argentinian Gareca was far from being a popular man in Peru, having scored the goal which effectively prevented Los Incas from qualifying. He has certainly won the fans over now though having led the side trough the tough South American qualifying group and into their first World Cup finals for 36 years. Much travelled around the South American leagues, Gareca favours a passing game making his sides – whilst not always successful – at least attractive to watch.


The Squad:
Moving from the back to the front, this Peru side gets progressively stronger, with serious questions against the back four, a solid midfield and decent attacking options.

The fact that Peru’s goalkeeper and the majority of the back line all play for non-elite south American sides would suggest that this area may represent a weakness in the team. This is borne out by their record in qualification. Of the teams to qualify from their section, no side conceded more times than Peru.

Things do get better in midfield. Christian Cueva is a talented playmaker on his day and acts as the heartbeat of the side, whilst Edison Flores and André Carillo provide pace and trickery down the flanks.

The go to man for goals and talisman of the side over the past few years has been Paolo Guerrero. Again instrumental during qualifying, Guerrero was then banned due to a doping incident, ruling him out of the tournament. Having initially had his twelve month ban reduced to six months – freeing him up to play in the tournament – Guerrero has now seen it increased to 14 months, meaning he now definitely does miss out and sparking mass protests in the streets of Peru.

Much of the goal scoring burden will now fall upon veteran Jefferson Farfan.


Star Man: Edison Flores
In the absence of Guerrero the man carrying Peru’s hopes for many will be the 24 year old AaB man, Edison Flores. On the plus side Flores did match Guerrero for goals during qualifying and weighs in with his fair share of assists. Despite his relatively diminutive size, the player known as “big ears” will provide a powerful and direct threat wherever he lines up in midfield or attack.


Outlook:
The Peruvians seem likely to bring plenty of entertainment value but look far from watertight at the back and without star man Paolo Guerrero may well struggle in this group. France and Denmark look to have too much quality, whilst they may be outmuscled by Bert van Marwijk’s Australia.


Group C Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2461.0

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