Historic in the Chilean team of countless matches between Copa América and South American Qualifiers. Rodrigo Perez He was one of the standard bearers in the defense of the ‘red’; brave, technical and skilled were some of his characteristics that made him one of the references in the 90s and 2000s, one of the golden eras of the squad. ‘mapocha’.
His name not only brings back memories for southern fans, but also for those of Lima Alliance. The side defended the shirt ‘blue and white’ in 2006 and managed to lift the national title trophy alongside Victorian figures Pepe Soto, Flavio Maestri, Chicho Salasamong others.
The ex-footballer confessed to Infobae Peru: He spoke about his present, his time as a professional coach, he supported Ricardo Gareca for his decision to exclude Arturo Vidal for the FIFA date, he recalled his time at Matute, and did not rule out directing in the League 1.
-What is the news about Rodrigo Pérez?
My present is that I am an instructor for the South American Football Confederation, Conmebol. It is my fifth year, I am sports director and I am in charge of all the boys and girls soccer schools in my city, Rancagua. I am still linked to soccer, it is true that I miss competitive soccer on the field and in the dressing room, but I am very happy with this job that is totally different, it is more about teaching.
– You are also a professional technician…
I directed Cobreloa in 2018 until 2019, where I left due to non-football problems. As I have always said, football is about ability and thank God I was in Cobreloa for eight years as a player. And one season, I finished with 53% performance, where any coach on paper should continue. I had problems with the president who was there at that time, he did not share the thoughts of the person who was there at that time and I had to leave. Currently, football is too complex, with immediate results, coaches last four games, they don’t last a month.
-Did any Peruvian team approach you with a proposal?
I didn’t have any approach. I once met with a director who was in Lima Alliance, I had a couple of conversations and that may be in the future, but nothing more. I don’t close my doors to anyone, I am a person linked to football all my life, as long as there is a serious project.
-How do you analyze the present of the Chilean team?
With the arrival of Gareca, I saw a couple of friendlies, one was with the world champions like France, and the team looks pretty good, we had a lot of irregularity. It seems very good to me that there are changes in such a short time. While it is true, Berizzo He was not fortunate because football is about moments, unfortunately he encountered many situations that were not the best. There is a good atmosphere with Gareca and let’s hope that the team does well, and that they can achieve their objectives.
– Do you think Ricardo Gareca is the ideal coach for Chile?
Gareca was chosen because he is the best, he did a very interesting job with Peruvian football. I had to work in Peru, and I have always known that the Peruvian has good technique and many conditions. There, the discipline and the way of training changed, and the ‘chip’ of each player qualified them for a World Cup… they reached the final of a Copa América. This was also achieved due to the credibility that the players had towards him and we hope it will be something similar with Chile.
-What opinion do you have of the Argentine coach?
He is a good coach, I had the opportunity to be with Gareca in a Conmebol South American soccer match and he seems to me to be a very intelligent guy, who manages the players’ egos very well, especially at the national team level, but he seems to be on the right track. I wish him the best for the good of Chilean football.
– What do you think of the exclusion of Arturo Vidal in the selection for the FIFA date?
Always when you are outside you can think one way or another, but the one who knows the internal, the one who knows the returns and the way he wants to play is Gareca. He has the complete ability to call or not call someone, here there is a lot of talk about those who do not call, but the most important thing is to worry about the people who called and how they are going to form that squad to face Paraguay.
Beyond that, the America Cup If you call one or the other, I think one is the least likely to say that I would call this one because I’m not in charge. The day I am, maybe I could answer that question. There are many ex-footballers who feel they have the authority to say that this one or the other has to go; that’s not good. I strongly agree with the words of Roberto Baggio, the Italian: ‘when they are on television they would do everything that they never did when they played.’ It is a matter of respect and, above all, letting them work in peace, in this case it is Gareca.
– Chile’s debut will be against Peru in the 2024 Copa América, who arrives better?
I experienced several games, they are very hot, but beyond that they are football games. There they always try to generate controversy, but this is football. No matter how classic they are, the one who is smarter, who plays better football, who does things better always wins. They are two different bets, based on the latest results and individual or collective performance. Beyond that, it will be a nice game, it is very difficult to speculate on a result.
– Is it an advantage that Ricardo Gareca knows the Peruvian team?
It is a positive thing that Gareca have the power to know him since he spent a long time with them; He knows the inside of Peru, but when the ball starts rolling it is different and there is no recipe.
– Do you think Chile will qualify for the quarterfinals of the Copa América?
The first thing is to wish the best to Chili, is in a transition period and it is not easy. Let’s hope it does a good America Cup, is the hope of all and that Chilean football can lift up to have joy. The goal is to go to the World Cup, I hope the results can be given because we haven’t gone to a World Cup in a while. It would be a very nice moment.
-Which players do you stand out in the current Chilean team?
There are many people, many players have left, others who remain as in the case of Paulo Diaz, who had a tremendous campaign at River and is consolidating himself in the national team. Beyond one name or another, the generational change occurs naturally because many times they say that they are old, that they have to be removed all and then they remove one and say why he didn’t call Vidal either Medel. The fan’s speech is inconsistent, being a coach is not easy, you have to make good decisions. Let’s hope it is a rebound for the team.
– What memories with Alianza Lima?
It was a very nice moment that I had to live. He was already old, he was 32 or 33 years old, but very current because he came from a selection process. I enjoyed it a lot, more than football it was because of the people, they were super respectful and until now they make me see it. It fills me with pride that they chose me among the best full-backs in the history of Lima Alliance; It is gratifying because where I went I behaved in the same way, a person who gives a lot of effort to his team.
– You became national champion with Gerardo Pelusso as coach…
alliance I had a very experienced team. There were Forsyth, Pepe Soto, Salazar, Chicho Salas, Ciurlizza, Cruzado who was just starting out in football. Maestri, Viza, Orejuela, Martell; We had a tremendous team, of selected cigars. We managed the games very well because we had on the bench Gerardo Pelusso, a monster, a guy who was able to overcome his ego because we were players with a lot of experience. We had a very nice group of people, I had a great time, and not only me, but my family, my children. I have the best memories and until now they write to me, they remember me and (it feels good) that they put you on the ideal team. There is a lot of talk about Chile and Peru, I lived there and they treated me well.
– You were seen at a reunion with the Alianza Lima players last year…
It was very emotional when they called me to give us the shirt. I received it from ‘Zorrito’ Aguirre. It was a very nice moment that one appreciates because of the affection and respect they have for me. This year I went to see them, I went to the stadium incognito at Colo Colo vs Alianza. He deserved to win, he had bad luck and they have improved in the Liberators because it was a long-standing debt.
-How do you see the level of the Peruvian league?
Peruvian football is very competitive, a good league, but there are always things to improve, especially in South America. Arrive Gareca and he changed the rhythm, added intensity to the technique that the Peruvians have and the results were super positive. Merit also goes to the Federation because they contributed to having a competitive league.
-What do you think of Rodrigo Ureña?
He is a good player, I saw him in the clubs in Chile and he was also in Colombia, he did well. He could be on the national team roster because of his experience, because of what he has done, he should have a chance.
– Any message for the Alianza Lima fan?
I appreciate the love and admiration, it is mutual, I hope they invite me to fan day, to share with them on that important day.
