Paraguay’s goal in stoppage time in a match in which Colombia dominated came after errors in the ball’s release from the defense, with a lack of communication between defenders and full-backs. The Colombians know this and will correct their path to try to win the second Copa América in their history.
“We lost balls on the way out (…) I think the difficulty we had was when, on the way out or in short triangulations, we lost the ball and they came out with long throws, cut lines and sometimes made it difficult behind the backs of Colombia’s advanced full-backs”, he explained. coach Néstor Lorenzo.
In the first half, the Argentine had to change the core of the defense after an injury to Jhon Lucumí, opting for Jerry Mina, in partnership with Davinson Sánchez.
The arrival of the Paraguayan attack found Camilo Vargas’ second post unprotected. Mina took down Ramón Sosa, who was already marked by Daniel Muñoz. On the other side, Johan Mojica had not yet returned from the attack. Sosa crossed exactly into that undefended space. Sánchez jumped, but couldn’t reach it. The dangerous Paraguayan Julio Enciso received it and played it to the right.
However, Lorenzo believes that Mojica and Mina played a good game.
The match ends.
Our Colombian Under 17 team tied in its first international friendly.
⚽️ Yeminson Distance#TodosSomosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/xWMghgkCzP
— Colombia National Team (@FCFSeleccionCol) June 25, 2024
“Sometimes the ball slowed down too much and that didn’t favor us. When there is little space and the pressure is well applied as Paraguay did, precision at speed is essential to get out of pressure and we lacked some of that”, he argued. “The pass has to be firmer and sometimes it is necessary to break the line, forward”, he added.
Lorenzo justified part of these problems by pointing out the condition of the field at NRG Stadium, in Houston, Texas, which at times did not allow the ball to bounce. Similar complaints were heard from other players and coaches at different stadiums that will host this Copa América.
Feet on the ground
Despite the detail, the 2-1 victory over Paraguay, in a Group D duel, means that the fans continue to place them as favorites to win the trophy in this tournament held in the United States. Once again, Lorenzo puts his feet on the ground.
“We try not to make it a backpack or a burden, simply what we tell the boys is that we must be doing something well and continue on the same path, that it is a source of pride to be nominated as a candidate, but we don’t find anything, we believe in the next game, nothing more. That’s the best way to deal with it,” he said.
The next duel will be on Friday, at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, against the fierce Costa Rica, who scored the goal against Brazil.
James and Lucho
In attack, Lorenzo seems to have everything clearer for now. He can count on James Rodríguez, who transforms when he plays for his country and who was vital to the victory. He is confident that his forwards, who have yet to score, will score.
James’ first assist was from the left, for Muñoz’s header. Then, for Jefferson Lerma, the dead ball cross came from the right.
“James is always alert to arrive. In addition to having the strength to run the route, he reads the game well. Sometimes we told him not to go too far, because we also needed to have the ball a little further back, to have possession” , he explained.
“As for Lerma’s goal. James has a glove on his foot, he places the ball very well. If they practice set pieces, it may or may not work. They marked in the zone and the motto was to get in front of the man in the zone. Lerma jumps very well”, considered Lorenzo.
Regarding Luis Díaz, Liverpool star, the coach asked for patience.
“Lucho is a player whose ideal is to face the opponent one-on-one. He made very beautiful plays, but he couldn’t finish them. Thank God we won and when the goal comes it will be the winning goal, for sure”, he considered .
“They (their players) are doing well, the boys are focused. They have impressive humility, they know that we are going game by game and that we have to work in each game”, he considered.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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