Jaime Cerna, Peru’s DT Under-20s Physical issues at South America 2023: “The boys aren’t used to the intensity we’re trying to give” | Game-Total

The Peruvian under-20 side fell to South American side Paraguay in the group stage in Colombia this Monday, crashing out of the one-day tournament after three consecutive falls. National team strategist Jaime Cerna analyzed his team’s performance against Guarani and also noted his team’s physical problems. His response sparked controversy.

“If one changes the method, the jobs are different, we have been working in Mexico, trying to give intensity that is not there in the league, but the boys are not used to work with that intensity. We leave uncomfortable,” he said at the end of the match in Cali.

“We read Paraguay well and they had two clear chances and then we were better throughout the second half. The boys’ idea was to compete, and they faced tough times with another technical team. They competed to keep their heads up. They didn’t go past us,” said Juan Reynoso’s assistant in the senior team.

Under Serna’s command, Baikal were the underdogs of Group A of the South American sub-20 and had no chance of progressing to the last six of the tournament where World Cup qualifiers are defined. The team bids farewell to Argentina this Wednesday.