The Peruvian National Team will undergo a noticeable change soon, since Ricardo Gareca He will no longer coach the team, after a seven-year process. The Argentine strategist did not reach an agreement to renew his bond and some ‘Blanquirroja’ footballers began to say goodbye, such as Gianluca Lapadula.
“If today I feel lucky to be part of the beautiful family of the Peruvian team, it is largely thanks to you. You personally came to Italy and welcomed me with open arms in Peru when I joined the ‘Blanquirroja’”started the striker on Instagram, accompanying the publication with a photo of him next to the “Tiger”.
“Before discovering what a great coach you are, I must say that I always saw a great person in you. Thank you for every advice you gave me and for every word you dedicated to me. With great affection, I also thank all the technical command that always supported us so much! Total thanks, Professor!”added Gianluca Lapadula.
Let us remember that Ricardo Gareca held a meeting with the now Benevento striker in 2016, with the intention of being able to summon him in the Peruvian National Team in the future, due to his dual nationality (his mother is from Peru). However, at that time, the attacker prioritized the possibility of representing his native Italy, which he achieved in 2017, by playing a friendly.
After that time, the striker had no more opportunities to wear the ‘Azzurra’ and reconsidered his initial position, showing signs of his interest in joining the Inca team. Finally, Gianluca was summoned for the first time in the ‘Blanquirroja’ in November 2020, at the gates of the third and fourth dates of the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.
Gareca made his ‘Bambino’ debut against Chile, making him play the last 30 minutes of the duel in Santiago (2-0 loss), and then he started him against Argentina, in Lima (0-3 loss). From that moment, Lapadula won a place in Professor Ricardo’s Peruvian team, accumulating three goals in 13 games heading to Qatar 2022; three more goals in seven games for Copa América; and an extra celebration in a friendly match.