Reynoso's 'era' officially began this week with the training sessions of the second list of called players under the command of Juan Reynoso. The coach of the Peruvian national team has been working hard at the National Sports Village (Videna) in preparation for the friendly matches against Mexico and El Salvador, which will be the last ones before the start of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which would begin in March of next year.
Given the short time that the 'Ajedrecista' has to work with his players, a question arises: what would be his first eleven with Peru?
The first eleven by Reynoso
Juan Máximo Reynoso would maintain the same base as Ricardo Gareca, but with some modifications: Pedro Gallese; Luis Advíncula, Anderson Santamaría, Alexander Callens, Marcos López; Renato Tapia, Pedro Aquino, Christian Cueva, André Carrillo; Gianluca Lapadula, and Raúl Ruidíaz.
YOU CAN SEE: If Ecuador is excluded due to the Byron Castillo case, this is how the table would look like for Peru or Chile to qualify for the World Cup.
Reynoso's changes in the eleven
The most striking changes would be Santamaría and Ruidíaz. As it is known, Reynoso coached the 30-year-old center-back at Puebla and FBC Melgar, so he knows him much better than the rest of the center-backs.
Regarding Ruidíaz, the 'Ajedrecista' was the coach who made him debut professionally, and on more than one occasion he has expressed his opinion about the Seattle Sounders striker. "I really like him, and it's no secret. Raúl (Ruidíaz) is one of those forwards that you don't want to mark," he said in a press conference.
When does Peru play?
The Peruvian Football Federation confirmed that the Peruvian national team will face Mexico and El Salvador in September. The match against the Mexicans is scheduled for the next 24th at 8:00 p.m. (Peruvian time) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Meanwhile, the second friendly will take place three days later at the Audi Field, at 8:00 p.m. (Peruvian time).