Ricardo Gareca defended Mano Menezes's scheduling of friendly matches with Peru: "The more demanding the opponents, the better."

Following a 1-1 draw against Mexico in a FIFA international friendly match in New Jersey, the Peruvian national team under the technical direction of Mano Menezes has begun preparations for the 2030 CONMEBOL Qualifiers. Peruvian player Erick Noriega highlighted the team's performance, noting acceptance of his role under Menezes while emphasizing that the squad cannot settle for the draw.

In the context of these initial friendly fixtures, former Peru coach Ricardo Gareca publicly defended Menezes' scheduling choices. Gareca asserted that facing increasingly demanding opponents is beneficial for the team's development as they embark on this new era.