To defeat an experienced strategist like Marcelo Bielsa, Colombia must use their best weapons. The heat of Barranquilla, a terror for Uruguay, is once again the protagonist of the South American World Cup.

In past years, the coffee growers recognized that the high temperatures in the Caribbean city, above 30 degrees in the early afternoon, favored both visiting and home players, which is why they preferred to play most of the games in the last game. when night falls and the breeze makes the atmosphere more benevolent.

The first match of the 2026 World Cup in North America, which resulted in a narrow 1-0 win over Venezuela, was scheduled for 18:00, but against Charrú, Colombia decided to dust off the old strategy and scheduled the reception of Biels from 15: 30 pm at the Metropolitan Stadium.

It will be a battle under the sun for “El Loco”, who won his official debut against Chile (3-1) in Montevideo, but lost against Ecuador (2-1) away.

For Colombia coach, Argentina’s Néstor Lorenzo, a chance to dethrone a direct rival in his World Cup aspirations and stay clear of Argentina and Brazil, the partial leaders of the qualifying table with six points.

The Colombians have four units and will then have the difficult task of traveling to Quito, while Uruguay (three) does not want to risk hosting the ‘Seleção’ without a good result in Barranquilla.

Bielsa has already been a victim of the abrupt geography of South America at this World Cup. In September, he died at an altitude of 2,850 meters in the capital of Ecuador. La Tri could have scored more goals, but the Ecuadorian attackers had mercy on the Uruguayan defenders.

In a thoughtful press conference this week, the coach chose to say that he had learned from the mistakes in Quito and assured that he did not want to repeat them in Barranquilla. For example, the slip told him that he would not give the ball to his opponent against Ecuador, who suffocated him, and would try to determine the rhythm of the match.

“We will try to ensure that the game with Ecuador allows us, as an immediate and close precedent, to overcome the difficulties we have been facing,” he said.

“(…) To prevent what happened against Ecuador against Colombia would be playing on your own turf, giving the ball away, giving up the spotlight,” he commented as a way of penance for his approach in the last game.

Faced with the new absence of historic goalscorers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez, Darwin Núñez will be the angry face at Barranquilla de la Celeste, who have recovered centre-back Ronald Araújo from a long injury layoff.

Whether out of genuine anger or a simple strategy of not revealing his cards, Lorenzo criticized the weather conditions of the match.

“It’s worrying and exhausting for everyone,” said a former associate of José Pekerman, who as Colombia’s coach turned Barranquilla into a real fortress amid the heat, told RCN.

The real fire for Lorenzo is in the composition of the salary. Seven of the players he called up for the last knockout round and these two next games were injured.

Calm forward thanks to the good form of Luis Díaz (Liverpool) and Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Libertadores finalists with Fluminense, the sensitive point will be in defense.

Without starting right back Daniel Muñoz and starting center backs Yerry Mina and John Lucumi, the replacements at the back are likely to be Santiago Arias, Dávinson Sánchez and Carlos Cuesta, a trio that has never played together. (D)