Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-wb) -- His initial speech given during his introduction in the middle of the European summer was exemplary: for high hopes and that, as of now, always the opposite occurred of what both sides had promised each other ever since their liaison began.

During the World Cup in Germany last year, Paolo Guerrero, wearing a a fashionable velvet jacket, introduced himself to the fans and public of his new home in Hamburg and - according to the spirit induced by his former club Bayern Munich where he was pampered by success  - by speaking of winning the "Double", the German championship and cup.

“But at some point I also want to win the Champions League", he said. Big words, little effect. The 2.8 million Euro investment scored only two goals in Germany's first half season, but at least he scored the decisive goal in Hamburg's only win so far (2:1 at Leverkusen) even though he was substituted late in the game, which tells a lot. Sitting on the bench as a substitute (a.k.a. joker) was a role Guerrero didn't want to play anymore. He had enough of that in Munich.

However, reality says "joker" instead of being a starter and avoiding relegation instead of fighting for the title. Joker Guerrero - that 's exactly his problem according to his new head coach Thomas Doll. "At Bayern, everything and everybody was focused on Makaay, Kahn or Ballack. Usually, Paolo came late into the game and made his goal without pressure. After his transfer, he was the new kid on the block from Bayern Munich burdened with a high transfer fee, so everyone had a special eye on him. This creates pressure and he has to learn how to deal with it."

The question for Guerrero is: exactly how much can he and how much will learn? Too many times he seemed detached from his teammates during the first half of the Bundesliga season, his mind seemed to be somewhere else. His little mishap a couple of months ago, when started talking about Arsenal London as his club's next Champions League opononen, even though they played FC Porto the following weekend, is following him ever since. Because for many it seemed symptomatic and not just a slip of the tongue.

"Paolo has great abilities", coach Doll says. "But you have to push him every now and then, I have realized that". Doll will do just that. "I will continue to push him. The first half year was a learning process for him."

However, Guerrero thought his learning process was completed with his transfer to Hamburg, the club simply known as HSV. A new one begins instead. "He has never faced such a responsibility before as he does now", Doll explained. "There's a big difference between the status of just being a fill-in or being a regular."

During the winter break, the head coach believes he noticed a slight change in the 23-year old Peruvian striker's approach: "He has the will to change some things here".

Unfortunately the next setback occurred during the club's recent training camp. And the development of this setback seems fitting to Guerrero's first half year at the Elbe River: During a test match against the United Arab Emirates, Doll wanted to take his striker out of the game after Guerrero signaled a problem with his thigh. But Guerrero wanted to continue playing because the allowed contingent of substitutions was already exhausted. The will and drive was there, it just happened at the wrong time. Since then he's sitting on the sidelines again with a ruptured muscle fiber.

"I hope, recovery won't take very long", the "warrior" says with sad eyes. It appears he got the message and he knows that the clock is ticking. "I just cannot afford to lose more time. I want to play!"