Ecuador national team head coach Marcelo Gallardo is turning his attention to domestic football this weekend. The Argentine manager will attend the classic clash between Liga de Quito and Barcelona SC this Friday, October 11, at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, with the aim of scouting players for the upcoming squad.
The match, corresponding to the second round of the LigaPro hexagonal, kicks off at 16:30. Gallardo's attendance is part of a broader evaluation plan by his technical staff, which will include watching several domestic league matches in the coming weeks. The goal is to identify options to bolster the squad for two friendly matches during the November FIFA window, scheduled from November 9 to 17.
Team context
This search for new talent comes after a mixed Asian tour and a recent 1-1 draw against Panama on October 5. In that match, Juan Riquelme Angulo scored for Ecuador, while Pedro Vite was among the players who converted his penalty in the shootout. La Tri is looking to stabilise its performance, with a recent record of one win, two draws, and two losses in its last five outings.
Journalist Kevin Verdezoto broke the news of the coach's plans. "Marcelo Gallardo puts the focus of attention on the Liga Pro and will attend the Liga de Quito vs Barcelona SC match," he said. He also noted that "during this weekend and the next ones, Marcelo Gallardo will meet in several stadiums in Ecuador to take notes."
Gallardo and his staff aim to deepen their knowledge of national talent, complementing the information they already possess. Fans can follow the squad's development and the national team's schedule on our fixtures page, as well as check detailed statistics on stats. The next official squad announcement is expected in late October.
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