Despite being unbeaten in 25 games, Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo rejected on Monday (1st) the status of favorite in the crucial duel against Brazil for leadership of Group D of the 2024 Copa América.
“You’re never the favorite against Brazil, we’re going to do our best to be up to the task. These are teams with a lot of history and we’re just writing a few pages of that history that Colombia has, which is very good but we want to improve it,” highlighted the Argentine coach in the press conference before the game on Tuesday, in Santa Clara, California.
Colombia, who top the group with six points, only need a draw at Levi’s Stadium to finish above Brazil and avoid a likely tense clash with Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
Two more are added today 🔜 pic.twitter.com/2U3ckYKmeG
— CONMEBOL Copa America™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 1, 2024
The Colombian team’s great form, having gone 25 games without defeat, has made it one of the favorites to win the title, while Brazil, which is going through a period of ups and downs, accepts without hesitation that it is one step below. Although it has already secured its place in the quarterfinals, Lorenzo said that he will not rest any player and refused the option of working on the result based on the next opponent.
“The priority is to finish first in the group. In addition to qualifying, we want to finish first. We are in Uruguay’s group, so it is impossible to avoid it. Sooner or later we will face each other if we both advance. Thinking about the future is like underestimating the opponent and Brazil deserves all the attention”, assured José Pékerman’s former assistant.
Lorenzo noted that defender John Lucumi, who was injured in the opening game of the 2-1 win over Paraguay, could return for the quarter-finals. “Lucumi is progressing very well. He won’t be here tomorrow, but we’ll see in the next game,” he said.
Sitting next to the coach, midfielder Richard Ríos described the dangers that Brazilian star Endrick, who has been his teammate at Palmeiras until now, could pose: “Endrick is a very strong player. It’s strange how strong he is for his age, the level of play he can bring to the team. I have a very good friendship with him and I feel that the team he’s in will try to get him because he’s a very strong player who can make a difference,” he said of Real Madrid’s new 17-year-old player.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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