The moment of truth is approaching for the Colombian National Team. Next Friday, January 28, they will play against Peru, at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium, at 4:00 in the afternoon, in a match that will be key to their aspirations to win a place in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Currently, the ‘tricolor’ is in fourth position with 17 points and a goal difference of -1, the product of only three wins, eight draws and three losses; while the ‘Incas’ are fifth with the same 17 units, but -5 in their difference, after five wins, two equalities and seven losses.
These statistics, added to the performance of both teams, confirm why the upcoming game is key, even and where neither will be able to give up ground. As more than one has expressed it, in recent press conferences, it is seen as a true ‘final’, since they are direct rivals.
The tension is maximum and the situation is not easy for one and the other. For this reason, this commitment is already throbbing and in Gol Caracol it is no exception, where we spoke with Gustavo Roverano, a former goalkeeper born in Uruguay and nationalized Peruvian (country where he lives), who played in our country, specifically in Unión Magdalena, in 1995 .
How do you analyze, in the preview, the match between the Colombia National Team and Peru?
“It is a key and determining game, and not only for Colombia and Peru, but also for the other teams that are still in the race to win a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar; what happens in Barranquilla will matter to the other rivals. Now, the ‘Inca’ team has raised its level in recent games and that makes the hope of qualifying great.”
What was the key for the ‘albiroja’ team to “raise its level”?
“I don’t know the exact formula, but I would say that Ricardo Gareca, over the years, has earned the right for us to trust him, achieving important results, winning in places where it had never been done, prevailing over rivals who are hard, in short. With Gareca in the national team, the Peruvian people trust and believe that they will be able to reach the World Cup.”
So Ricardo Gareca is the differential of this team…
“It is the strongest point, regardless of any individuality. Gareca has managed the squad, trusting his players, helping them and supporting them in difficult moments, where some came to be questioned, but he had an excellent handling of the players’ emotions, lecturing on how to manage a group.”
And speaking of that “group”, what to say?
“Peru has a short squad and the truth is that it has not had major renovations, even so, I return to the same point, Ricardo Gareca has known how to take advantage of it. He has presented adversities such as injuries or lack of minutes for some, but he has known overcome, making the team work and managing with new faces that renewed.”
Returning to the game, from Peru, how do you see the game against Colombia?
“The Peruvian people know that it is a tough match. The illusion of winning is there, thanks to Ricardo Garcea, who usually strengthens the squad. Now, they also know that they are going to play against a competitive team, of great soccer players and that in Barranquilla strong. Personally, I think Colombia has everything to gain, but they can’t trust each other and let their guard down.”
Why does he say it (not trust us or lower our guard)?
“Because the Peruvian national team has players who, when they arrive at the national team, are empowered, something that is not very common or normal, at least not so much in others that I have seen, but this squad does; they give everything in this national team and it is, Precisely, what has led Peru to have chances of qualifying and still alive with very few days to go.”
Since you made reference to Barranquilla, you who played there, what can you tell us?
“It is complicated by the heat and humidity and that is decisive. Now, it is not everything; if the players comply with what is asked of them, they will fight anywhere. It will be a disputed match, even and where Colombia can score a certain difference in the first half. I insist that the ‘tricolor’ has everything to win, due to the factors that I have been explaining.”
Any player of the Colombian National Team that you have referenced?
“There are many. Now, I can say that they have an important absence and it is that of Duván Zapata. However, I must say that Colombia has something that Peru does not, and that is renewal. Good soccer players are always coming out, while we do not have that The ‘tricolor’ has young soccer players who are constantly appearing and enriching the squad.”
In the midst of this renewal and you as a connoisseur of the position, what analysis do you make of the goalkeepers?
“I was just recapitulating that goalkeeper issue and it’s true. Throughout history, Colombia has had excellent goalkeepers. When they were in Colombian soccer, they included Faryd Mondragón, Miguel Calero, Óscar Córdoba, in short. Today, it’s not as like that. Firstly because David Ospina is superlative and secondly because great goalkeepers have not appeared.”
In that case, what to do?
“We will have to see how that change occurs; in any case, I don’t think it will be a determining factor either. The team is more important than the individual, in this case the goalkeeper, but it must be recognized that they have not had as many replacements there, as if in previous years or in other positions, without demeriting those who are now fighting for that position.”
Since you alluded to Mondragón, Calero, Córdoba and others, what is the main memory you have of our football?
“The best of memories. It was very competitive football and I am very happy to have been there and shared that experience. In addition, I worked with a great coach like Jorge Luis Pinto, who is a different person from the average coach and with many lessons. Grateful for that step; where I have passed, I left friends and in Santa Marta it was like that.”
Are you still in contact with some men from that Union Magdalena?
“Yes, in fact, we currently have a WhatsApp group with all our teammates and we always talk to each other (laughs). There are great players and better people like Alberto Gamero, who was a great footballer, Luis ‘La Puya’ Zuleta In short, there are many of that enormous generation that was in 1995 in Unión Magdalena, teaching good football.”
Who was the player that surprised you the most at the time?
“Speaking of Unión Magdalena, I think Luis ‘La Puya’ Zuleta; he had a great moment at that time and was the figure of that Union. Now, at a general level of Colombian football, I cannot leave out Antony ‘Pipa’ de Ávila René Higuita, that Atlético Nacional was crazy. Colombian soccer is powerful, tough, competitive and where you work very well.”
Has Colombian soccer evolved?
“Yes, of course. Perhaps the work and preparation methodology changes a lot and Colombia has that biotype in its players, which makes them powerful. Now, I do consider that the quality and imprint has been lost a bit, the ones from before had Now, everything is more schematic and the footballer can no longer do what he wants, there are many orders to follow.”
But then, does he stay with the one from before?
“I don’t know (laughs). Today everything is very tactical, there is not so much initiative in the player anymore, but not because he doesn’t want to, but because of the large number of orders to follow. Well, I don’t know, suddenly I’m already very old man (laughs), but the truth is that I prefer the methodology of those phenomena that I saw like Iván René Valenciano, Carlos ‘el Pibe’ Valderrama, among many others.”
It is inevitable not to ask him about the controversy over the rise of Unión Magdalena…
“I watched the match. I always follow Unión and what happened was incredible because the rival, even led by Walter Aristizábal, who was in football in Peru, stayed quiet and is controversial. It seemed strange to me; now, Unión does not He is to blame because he gave everything, and the suspicion goes through Llaneros. It was something that clouded the issue of promotion a bit, a pity.”
Returning to the match of the Colombian National Team, any result?
“The first option is that Colombia has everything to win because they are at home and the quality of their players, but Peru shows signs of making interesting matches where it seems that they are not and surprises, winning in difficult places. With Gareca, everything is possible. Heart aside, Colombia wins, but I never rule out Peru because it does impossible things.”
