The Colombian National Team arrives this Tuesday to a crucial duel against Argentina (6:30 pm Colombian time), which can sentence the future in the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.
The coach, Reinaldo Rueda, must replace Yerry Mina, the only loss on the payroll for this final duel in Córdoba, and he is considering more possibilities to break the scoring spell, which the team has after a six-game fast.
Amid the pressure and concerns, the conference begins in Córdoba, where it is intensely hot similar to that of Barranquilla. “I have no words, may God enlighten us and bless us for this work, may we be able to recover the lost ground in these nine points and be able to bring joy to the fans, thanks for all the support”, is the coach’s invitation.
How do you strengthen the group mentally after the defeat against Peru?
Undoubtedly, not achieving the result in the last game has hit us quite a bit because the illusion, the desires, everything that was trained and the game that was played was to hold on to that position, we could not achieve it, we have worked the mental part when accept defeat, assume responsibilities, assimilate it, do the individual and collective cleaning and that we all give each other support and backing, valuing the virtues and talent of our players and the positive things that have been done and being aware of the fans and the history of Colombian soccer. Two or three activities have been carried out in search of that confidence, without deceiving ourselves, knowing that the situation was complicated but there are nine points in dispute that we will fight until the last moment.
Ospina and Mina’s replacement
David presented a digestive discomfort, he has already started hydration and we hope that he will work with us again today and be recovered already. Óscar and William are the alternatives for Mina, we are going to reaffirm it today, we are looking for security to give peace of mind and look for the rival goal.
Scheme or plan changes
The time for alternatives is short, yesterday we did some tactical work, the team that played on Friday did a good job, a proposal was made with a lot of ball circulation, we created at least 11 scoring situations, two or three very clear, that we could not materialize and that is what has failed us, the haste, the anxiety and that has not denied the triumphs. We’re on it. Yesterday two possible variants were made to oxygenate, we are waiting for the physiological recovery of some players and we await the latest information to look for tomorrow’s formation.
We have reviewed the behavior of Argentina that will change several men, but they always used the same game system, except against Brazil, so we will maintain what we have been doing, Colombia has played well away against Peru, Brazil, Uruguay… We have two possibility with a 1-33 like in Brazil or a 4231 and depending on the men, who would interpret that scheme better, it is the work to develop tonight and to work tomorrow.
After 29 years without winning there, what to do?
Facing Argentina is a game of great intensity, we need very high concentration, knowing what we have, trusting ourselves, with order we can get the three points. It is the disposition that exists, we know that we will have a very difficult Argentina, they have fresh, oxygenated men, who have not been starters but have alternated, they are elite players who will seek a position in the Argentine national team, but the conviction that we have is important, aware that we need to improve in completion and efficiency and this may be the opportunity to give the blow of authority that we need to reach the goal.
The pressure
It is complex but where there is a psychosocial component such as playing at home, in front of our fans, that anxiety led us to make mistakes that led us to Peru’s goal, fortunately there is reflection, we know that it cost us, we lacked order, we knew that we would have little space and they would have a lot, they could have been effective at the right time, but we have analyzed those mistakes so as not to make them, today we are working on that, knowing that if the victory is not achieved, the auction keeps you adding. There is a level of awareness, of accepting mistakes and of being ordered from the whistle until minute 100.
What Rueda lives
It is difficult to see how an illusion, for us and the fans, for the challenges we set for ourselves, to know that there are men who would make it to their third World Cup, and together help us, that is what we do. The most experienced help the others. It has been very strong, from the moral and psychological point of view, we all have our God, our belief, our faith, they have supported each other, they say how they need each other and surely sensible analysis and assuming responsibility is the best thing in this situation. This is the requirement of the profession, which in a few hours gives you the opportunity to recover and make the difficult moment pass, that we trust without overdoing it and achieve the goal we have.
Is the National Team moving away from the fans? Will James apologize?
I have always complied with the protocol established with the media, we have been willing, you have to know that it is complex in the rest of one’s work, with the coverage of all the leagues, meetings, logistics, preparation of games and calls, there are many media and it is impossible to meet the needs of so many media programs. At the time, to whom it may concern, unfortunately I have not seen the video of what happened and it is up to each one to assume their responsibility and respond, it is not an obligation but a social commitment to the fans.
Yaser Asprilla case
For him, this heavier call is a good experience, having the greats close by, sharing with him. It is normal that at his age and in his first call with others who have been over twelve years it is not easy, but they receive him they integrate him, he himself does it in training. We trust in their conditions, we seek the right moment for them to contribute their talent.
Campaign ‘I ride’
Juan Fernando always shows his passion for this National Team, he and the players who are not here have sent us their messages, they trust in this moment of difficulty that we are going through, we are committed, we seek that support from the fans, that we do not decline, that we continue Believing in what this selection does, without deceiving ourselves, is a difficult situation but it is achievable. All of us here are involved in the project of adding the points that will keep us alive in that classification.
player engagement
Actions are worth not words. This is solved with football and goals. The words of support and solidarity and what has been done are of no use sire if results are not achieved. Thats the reality. The challenges that each player has, everything goes through the result, only then can confidence and credibility be recovered.
Due to the results, one cannot doubt these human beings, their commitment and their responsibility. we are going to achieve it, we are all committed, we hope to have the fluidity to achieve what we have proposed.
Each one lives their drama, the only way to take pressure off is by playing and achieving what we want. We generated what is happening, due to tactical behavior, because we did not have finesse to specify everything we created, where we have played well, maybe not beautifully but with order, looking for the rival goal and being proactive, but we are on that streak We hope that it is over now and we have the clarity to score goals in all the situations that this situation generates.
