Peru Announces Squad for Russia & Chile Friendlies, Spotlightsโฃ Emerging Talent & Veteran Reinventions
Saint Petersburg & Sochi – Interim coach Manuel Barreto hasโ named a 28-man squadโ forโ Peru’s upcoming friendlies against Russia on โขWednesday in Saint Petersburg andโข Chile six days later โin Sochi, a roster blendingโ youth with experienced โขplayers enjoying career renaissances. Theโ call-ups signal a potential shift in direction for the national team as Barreto โnears the end โฃof his tenure.
Among the notable inclusions is Fabio Gruber, a German-born player of Peruvianโ descent,โ whoโ hasโ waited four years for his first nationalโ team call-up. Gruber, currently playing for SV Elversberg in Germany’s 3. Liga,is being touted as a potential futureโ leader,with some observers drawing parallelsโค to German legend Franz Beckenbauer – a nickname already circulating as “the new Kaiser.” He is also one of seven players under the age โof 23 selected, indicating a focus on developing new talent.
The squad also features surprising returns for veterans. โฃForward Adriรกn Ugarriza, 28, hasโค revitalized his career with Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC in Israel, and Melgar’s top scorer, Jhonny Vidales, 33, has finally earned a spot on the national team. Goalkeeper Diego Romero and attacker Bryan Reyna, who have โขseen limited playing โtimeโ recently, are also included, alongside Yordy Reyna, whose inclusion is speculated to be influenced by hisโ current residence and play in Russia.
Addingโ to the โฃmix are five players invitedโ asโ sparring partners: โคCรฉsar Bautista (18), Rafael Guzmรกn (17), Jair Moretti โ(18) from the local tournament, and two โข”Eurocausas” – Philipp Eisele (18) from Germanโ side Eintracht Frankfurt and francescoโค Andrealli (18) from Italian club Como โ1907.Pieroโฃ Quispe, now playing for โคSydney FC in Australia, also returns, as does veteran goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, โฃthe undisputed โคstarter for theโ Peruvian national team.
These friendlies will serve as Manuel Barreto’sโค final matches as interim coach.