Paolo Guerrero refines his physique and aims to win the title in Racing: can he play with another ‘9’?

He wanted a circular career after two decades outside his country. However, Alianza Lima, the club where he was born as a footballer in 2002, closed their doors to him. And after ten years in Brazilian football, Paolo Guerrero found an offer he couldn’t say no to.

Then, it came to Racing. It was a short but intense debut: the first one he touched sent it into the opponent’s goal. Obviously it wasn’t a goal because the referee disallowed the action. After all, he had dropped the ball with his arm. However, it was a good sign. So much so that the Peruvian is starting to be looked at with different eyes by the fans and coach Fernando Gago. How long will it take to earn the position?

The striker himself, born on the first day of 1984 in Chorrillos, made it clear after a handful of minutes, just nine minutes (four in regular time plus five overtime). “I’m working on being physically fit, I’ll join him soon”She said.

“He’s not ready to play more than that time yet”, the coach limited himself to saying after the 2-2 draw against Tigre. Then he spoke of the possibility of sharing the attack with another “9”, as happened with the few he took to the field on Sunday. So he replaced Matías Rojas and moved on Nicholas Reniero. “Are compatible, they can play togetherOther strikers have played other games together, we’ll see how the week goes and if the opponent will give us this chance,” he added.

Guerrero has worn the shirts of Corinthians, Flamengo, Inter and Avaí. In his last club on Brazilian soil, the Peruvian had not officially played since October 1, 2022 for the tournament in that country. And it raised some doubts. Especially for the ligament tear in his right knee suffered in 2020, when he played for Porto Alegre, and the consequent fibrosis that excluded him from the playoffs against Australia.

However, he committed to preseason work, as he had before the qualifiers in Phoenix, USA, where he traveled with his personal trainer Rodrigo Araya. And although the original idea was for him to debut on Wednesday 22 against St. Martin of Formosa for the Argentine Cup, deadlines have been shortened.

“I’m improving, the evolution has been very fast, obviously I have to prepare myself better, but I think I’ll be there this week. I liked how the team played, I’m happy with what they’re offering: we have to fix the inattentions”underlined the Predator, a nickname he earned in Germany, where he played for Bayern Munich and Hamburg for a decade.

Everyone agrees that his time in the Bundesliga was crucial in learning the secrets of professionalism. And for these hours he has received public praise from Ricardo Gareca, who guided him in the Peruvian national team.

“He is a sensational player. If it’s okay, you won’t have any problems. Logically, with 39 years players have a limit. He is professional, he cares about being well and this has made Racing aware of it ”, commented the coach, who received the call from Federico Insúa, Gago’s assistant on the pitch. El Pocho asked him for references and El Tigre gave his best.

Guerrero left a good impression. And he also allowed himself the pleasure of giving the shirt to a popular kid. On a personal level, his mother Doña Petra has ensured that he will become a father. The wish for Racing is that it arrives with goals under its arm.