Gallardo's first challenge as Ecuador coach is a tough one, as he has lost two key players due to muscle injuries. Gonzalo Plata, a midfielder from Flamengo, and Kevin Rodríguez, a forward from Union Saint-Gilloise, have been ruled out of the upcoming FIFA date due to injuries. This is a significant blow for Gallardo, as he will have to manage without two of his attacking players.
Gallardo will have to rely on his remaining players, including Enner Valencia, the team's all-time leading scorer, who has announced the end of his cycle with Ecuador. Valencia's departure will be a significant loss for the team, and Gallardo will have to find a way to replace him.
Gallardo will debut as Ecuador coach on Thursday against South Korea, and he will have only two training sessions before the match. The team will then travel to Japan for a quadrangular tournament, where they will face Japan, the winner/loser of Panama vs New Zealand, and South Korea.
The first three matches of Gallardo's tenure as Ecuador coach will be broadcast on television, according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Football Federation.