peru vs senegal is now the immediate test as Peru prepares to open a new cycle under head coach Mano Menezes in Paris. At 3: 00 PM ET on 2026-03-28, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese described the moment as a point of pride and a fresh start for the national team. With only a short window to train, the message from inside the camp is clear: new call-ups will have to prove they belong, first in sessions and then on the field.
Gallese: “They earned the call-up—now they must show it”
Pedro Gallese, goalkeeper for Deportivo Cali and a senior figure in the national team setup, spoke publicly about the early days of Mano Menezes’ first international window with Peru. “It’s an honor to be here, very happy for this new process and we are going to give our best for the national team, ” Gallese said in comments delivered to Bicolor+.
Gallese highlighted the immediate value of the upcoming friendlies, framing them as functional tests rather than statements. He described the matches against Senegal and Honduras as preparation games designed to understand the ideas of the new technical staff and to reunite as a team. In the same breath, he put a spotlight on the newcomers included in Menezes’ first squad list, stressing that selection alone is only the first step.
“They have earned the call-up, now it’s their turn to show it in training and in the matches, ” Gallese said, underscoring the competitive atmosphere surrounding this first roster of the new era.
Peru’s new faces in focus ahead of Peru Vs Senegal
Menezes’ first call-up includes several players who could be in line for their first minutes with the senior national team during this international window in Europe. The selection approach, as reflected in the makeup of the list, points toward an emphasis on players with continuity and strong current form at club level who have been watched by the coaching staff.
Among the names highlighted as new faces is Marco Huamán. He returned to prominence after being loaned to Cienciano and finding space in a role that is not typical for him, becoming the team’s starting left back under coach Guede. His performances drew attention at the VIDENA, and he could be in contention for minutes in the two upcoming matches.
Also in the frame is Jairo Vélez, whose standout night in matchday 6 against Melgar took place with Menezes and his staff present at Matute. That showing helped the Peru-eligible player secure a spot in the squad.
Adrián Quiroz is another first-time call-up mentioned, boosted by a strong collective run from Chankas CYC. He has three assists this year and was noted for consistency across the Apertura, particularly during a five-match winning streak for his club.
Finally, Alfonso Barco arrives with a positive club situation at HNK Rijeka in Croatia, presenting Menezes with an option who can contribute in defense and in midfield.
Immediate reactions inside camp: little time, new ideas
Gallese also addressed the early work with Mano Menezes, emphasizing how compressed the preparation period is. “We have few days of training, they are new ideas, but always the best for the national team, ” he said, closing his remarks with a measured tone that matched the transitional moment.
Within the squad, the friendlies serve a dual purpose: for established leaders, a chance to set standards; for new call-ups, a clear runway to justify their inclusion. The internal challenge is immediate—absorbing instructions quickly and translating them into performances under scrutiny.
Quick context and what’s next
Peru’s upcoming games in Europe against Senegal and Honduras mark the opening stretch of Mano Menezes’ tenure, with the first squad list featuring multiple potential debutants. Gallese has publicly framed the window as a practical reset: reconnecting the group while learning the new staff’s ideas.
Next, attention turns to training sessions in the days leading into the match in Paris, where selections and roles will become clearer. When the whistle goes, peru vs senegal will be the first on-field measure of this new process—and the first real stage for the new faces Gallese says must prove themselves.
