Ecuador coach says Peru friendly will be a learning experience

Ecuador national team coach Hernan “Bolillo” Gomez said here Monday that this week’s friendly with Peru will give him a chance to evaluate new players.

“At this time we are not ready to do soccer-to-soccer battle with Peru. We are (at the stage) of learning from the difficulties we will have in the matches. We have good players and during these games we’ll recognize the new players to assemble the team for the Copa America,” Gomez said before traveling to Lima for Thursday’s contest.

Gomez highlighted the importance of friendlies to connect with the players and transmit coaching concepts.

The coach, who has given minutes to 40 different players, said that he plans to continue trying out different combinations “because this process of observation is lengthy.”

While most of the squad are traveling to Peru with the coach on Monday, players with overseas clubs are making their way to Lima individually.

The first were Manchester United ‘s Antonio Valencia, Swansea City’s Jefferson Montero and Arturo Mina of Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor.

Other players belonging to clubs from the US and Mexico are also heading for Lima on their own, including: Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas), Gabriel Achilier (Morelia), Enner Valencia (Tigres), Miller Bolaños (Tijuana) and Romario Ibarra (Minnesota United).