Neither Cueva nor 'Orejas': What does Reynoso prioritize and how much does the physical aspect weigh in his call-ups?

The Absentees

Already in the first double date, Juan Reynoso determined that Christian Cueva, Edison Flores, and Carlos Zambrano should not be part of the final list due to their physical conditions. Although the Peruvian national team claimed that the withdrawals of 'Aladdin' and 'Orejas' were due to injuries, the players were ultimately able to be fit for their coaches in the Liga 1 and it became known that Reynoso's coaching staff did not consider both to be in optimal physical condition for the high competition of a Qualifier, just like the case of 'Kaiser'.

During this period of time, Zambrano has returned to be a starter in Alianza Lima's central defense and seems to be in better football rhythm, so he earned the call from 'Cabezón' again. Contrary to what happened with Cueva and Flores, who are intermittent in their clubs and, so far, have not earned an undisputed place in their starting eleven or have yet to reach the level they had as former World Cup players.

At this point, it is worth noting that Juan Reynoso prioritizes the present and current form of the players over what they have been able to achieve in their career and experience as players for the Peruvian national team. Both Cueva and Flores were pillars and references in both of Ricardo Gareca's processes that resulted in reaching the 2018 World Cup and playing the playoff for Qatar 2022. Therefore, whether it is the style of play or the type of player he wants, Reynoso distances himself from the previous process and confirms in his call-ups that only those who have better form and meet certain metrics will be included, beyond names. This same priority was transferred to Alex Valera, a regular call-up who was also not summoned this time.

The Novelties

If in the previous double date the main names were Joao Grimaldo, Jostin Alarcón, and Jhamir D'Arrigo, this time the talk is about Jairo Concha (Alianza Lima), Franco Zanelatto (Alianza Lima), José Rivera (Universitario de Deportes), and Aldair Fuentes (Universidad César Vallejo), among the new names in Reynoso's call-up, players who enjoy continuity in their respective teams and whom the coach will seek to closely observe in the micro-cycle to begin on October 4th.

Although Concha had already been called up by the national coach before, he was one of the absentees in the last date as he was carrying an injury at that time and for now he is having a remarkable performance as an irreplaceable '10' for Alianza Lima. On the other hand, if they make it to the final list, Zanelatto, Rivera, and Fuentes would live their first experience with the senior national team.

Local tournament call-up list:

• Goalkeepers: Carlos Cáceda (Melgar), Renato Solís (Sporting Cristal), and Diego Romero (Universitario de Deportes).
• Defenders: Carlos Zambrano (Alianza Lima), Nilson Loyola (Sporting Cristal), Matías Lazo (Melgar), Jhilmar Lora (Sporting Cristal), Aldo Corzo (Universitario de Deportes), and Rafael Lutiger (Sporting Cristal).
• Midfielders: Leonardo Villar (Sport Huancayo), Yoshimar Yotún (Sporting Cristal), Alexis Arias (Melgar), Jostin Alarcón (Sporting Cristal), Aldair Fuentes (César Vallejo), Piero Quispe (Universitario), and Jairo Concha (Alianza Lima).
• Forwards: Joao Grimaldo (Sporting Cristal), Matías Succar (Mannucci), Christopher Olivares (Cusco FC), Andy Polo (Universitario), Franco Zanelatto, Fabrizio Roca (Sport Boys), Bryan Reyna (Alianza Lima), Brandon Palacios (Binacional), Jhamir D'Arrigo (Melgar), and José Rivera (Universitario).

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