Peru national football team (Photo : Reuters)
Tournament bombshell Bolivia is facing a real challenge in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Copa America against gritty Peru at the Estadio Municipal Germán Becker in Temuco, Chile on Thursday, June 25.
La Verde had become the surprise team of the tournament after drawing Mexico and beating Ecuador in the group qualifications. They were crushed by host Chile in their final elimination round game, via The Guardian, but they still managed to hold onto the second spot in Group A.
Mauricio Soria's squad is led by team captain Ronald Raldes and fast-rising star Marcelo Martins Moreno, who is expected to give problems to the Peruvian defense.
Meanwhile, Peru survived a tough Group C by beating Venezuela and drawing Colombia in their final match of the group stage. They were defeated by Brazil in the opener, but that did not dispirit them in their next matches.
La Blanquirroja is coached by Ricardo Gareca, a former Argentine football player who had just started handling the squad last February. Bleacher Report predicted that he will lead Peru to the semis, which is actually highly likely considering the strength of both lineups on paper.
Peru boasts off veterans Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, and Carlos Lobatón to take them through the quarters. So far, only Brazil had managed to get past Pedro Gallese's defense.
The prediction is Peru over Bolivia, 1-0. It will be a tough match as both teams are persistent enough to impose their will on each other. But Peru's experience and big-game mettle will be the key to their victory.
Bolivia starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Quiñónez; Hurtado, Raldes, Zenteno, Morales; Campos, Chumacero, Bejarano, Smedberg-Dalence; Pedriel, Moreno
Peru starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Gallese; Advincula, Zambrano, Ascues, Vargas; Sánchez, Ballón, Lobatón, Cueva; Pizarro, Guerrero
