The train passed, probably the last one before the start of the 2024 Copa América, and some players from the Colombian National Team managed to get on the last car, while others, who seemed to have a guaranteed ticket, gave up ground and could get off at the last station, before June in the United States.
Coach Néstor Lorenzo assured several of them an opportunity to show themselves on a basic condition: “give them a positive environment so that they can express their best in favor of the team,” he said at a press conference.
And in that equality of conditions, some took advantage of their minutes with talent and goals and confirmed their good moments while some, who curiously share conditions such as inactivity, will have to accelerate fully in these two long months before the opening whistle in the Copa América 2024, to attempt what at this point already seems like a miracle, which is to get on a practically closed list.
A separate chapter should be dedicated to those who did not even make it to this call due to injuries and other situations: the experienced Dávinson Sánchez and Yerry Mina gave Lucumí and Cuesta the opportunity to show that, with the experience they bring from Genk, they should be starters without discussion; The full-backs Cristian Borja and Déiver Machado ate up Mojica’s pressure and his good projections in London and Madrid; Matheus Uribe, compared to Ríos and Castaño, has been losing his pulse for a long time because in addition in Qatar he does not even play regularly; Falcao, even though he was visiting the dressing room, took a step outside a long time ago… in the internal competition they are beating them with sufficient strength.
Who is giving Lorenzo problems in this double friendly confrontation and who has been dropping off the list on their own? Take note:
The ones who broke it
Richard Rios
It has to be the most pleasant appearance of the double day of friendlies in Europe: it connected the midfield with the attack against Spain and became the ideal formula for Lerma and ratified all those good feelings in a match without stains and with aplomb and character that undoubtedly seduces Lorenzo.
Johan Mojica
Few had it on the list. Probably not even for Lorenzo it was essential. But as soon as the two regular players (Machado and Borja) were injured, he took advantage of his opportunity: he was in every offensive projection on the left, he formed a good tandem with Díaz, he assisted in the 3-2 against Romania and showed that he does not physically exhaust himself. .
John Cordoba
He waited more than a year for Lorenzo’s call while he got tired of scoring goals in Russia. The first time he seemed too quiet and withdrawn, but later he connected with the group and in that way convinced the coach, who gave him his first start against Romania. ‘Result? Great goal to open the account, screen for Arias in the second, pivot, winger and pure 9, all in the same combo.
Those who gave advantage
Jorge Carrascal
His performance has been in sharp decline after the victory against Venezuela, in the Qualifiers. He changed clubs, took a long time to settle in and has not consolidated, all of which was noticeable on the FIFA date: in 45 minutes as a starter against Spain he was inconsequential and in minutes against Romania he was not felt either.
Juan Fernando Quintero
That he is experiencing the best physical moment of his career in Racing, that he never lost the magic, that he is a World Cup player, that he is part of the intimate group that the players today call ‘family’. He had a few minutes against Romania and, beyond running and trying hard, he failed to form partnerships, he did not connect with the attack in passes or shots on goal and he did not win the duels. Against him it plays that James offers an exuberant version and Asprilla runs more and better and also scored a goal.
Kevin Castaño
He was a discovery for Lorenzo in Águilas Doradas, he was strengthened in Mexico and when he arrived to lend a hand in the Qualifiers he went from promise to great figure in the blink of an eye. However, when deciding to move on to Russia he gave up a lot of ground and against Spain he looked imprecise, nervous and confused. Against Romania he did not come off the bench, a sign that Lorenzo did not like what he saw either.
Santiago Arias
His great advantage is that there is no other right back that threatens his position and he is also part of the ‘family’. But when he replaced Daniel Muñoz it was noted that he is far from that physical level that the starter gained in Europe and in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. He was in the photo of Romania’s second goal and it was seen that the physical display of elite football is more difficult than necessary. He must work hard in Brazil if he wants to defend his place in the squad.