Interview with Johan Mojica: “We are not obsessed, but we value the undefeated” | Colombia National Team TODAY

The anxiety about making his debut with the Colombian senior team was inevitable, but a few opportune words were enough to transform it into confidence. “Play calmly and do what you know how to do.” No sooner said than done. Premiere more than dreamed of with goal, assist and victory. Unforgettable for Johan Mojica was that friendly against Bahrain.

Nine years have just passed since that 6-0 win (March 26, 2015), during which time he played in qualifying rounds, fulfilled his World Cup dream in Russia 2018 and ended up becoming the Colombian footballer with the most seasons in Spanish football (10). . Evolution, achievements and something present until today: the same one who calmed him down when his heart was coming out of his yellow shirt, being José Pékerman’s assistant, is now the national coach.

Néstor Lorenzo, undefeated since he assumed the tricolor, knows him well, believes him and celebrates his present with Osasuna. He is the left back who is projected towards the Copa América in the United States, a tournament that has eluded him so far. The American visa is ready.

Exclusive El Espectador interview with Johan Mojica

Did it exceed the expectations you had when you left Deportivo Cali to sign for Rayo Vallecano in 2013?

I am happy with the performance during my career and I have the hope that it can be extended as much as possible and at the best level. Throughout this time, each team contributed to making it rewarding. I arrived at Rayo and did very well despite my youth and adaptation; Then, those two seasons in Valladolid allowed me to reach the national team; Later I was the most expensive signing in Girona’s history, I worked to promote them and I was the club’s first World Cup player. Later, they gave me the option to experience another league like the Italian one with Atalanta. Upon returning to Spain, I returned to help Elche stay. It was important that Villarreal bought me and that a club like Osasuna noticed me. It has been special. I really wanted to be here for a long time.

Why did you want to play with the Navarrese club?

The culture of the people of northern Spain was something I wanted to experience. I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity to feel this experience and now the idea is to close with a flourish [termina su cesión en junio y debe regresar a Villarreal]. We have already met the first objective [la permanencia]now we want to finish as high as possible and if it is in the European zone, much better.

Could this be his best moment for maturity, continuity and performance?

I had a great moment when I went to the World Cup in Russia, but obviously I didn’t have the maturity and experience that I have now. Those five more years of football and good decisions have helped me to have an excellent present in sports, which I want not only to extend but to enjoy.

What did you find in Osasuna to achieve this performance?

The arrival at the club has been very nice. It was difficult to adapt to a very different style of play than the one I had been playing. At certain moments I was not very comfortable, but with determination, and knowing what Spanish football is like and the details of the League, I knew how to handle them with patience and confidence to be fine. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and the work carried out in all this time. The trust of the club has helped me a lot. I am grateful to the coaching staff, who has supported me and helped me reach my best version.

Why is Sadar such a particular stadium?

It is a stadium that leaves everything when it comes to supporting. People who come for the first time confess that they live in an atmosphere of total, fierce football; People don’t stop cheering for even a minute. It’s a cauldron, a special party.

And do the Colombian flags also give it color?

I didn’t know there were so many Colombians in this area. It was quite special to feel the support and human warmth of so many compatriots from the presentation, in the stadium and in the streets.

How many shirts do they order per game?

Maromas I have to do, even talk to the club, because I have given many. That’s something satisfying, making them happy with a t-shirt, an autograph or a photo. That people encourage me in that way, being so far from the country and fighting together to be well and raise our families, represents me as a Colombian and a soccer player.

In terms of national pride, no moment surpasses his debut in the Pékerman era. How did that game mark you to be still with the tricolor nine years later?

I knew where I was going and what I was going to do. Putting on the country’s shirt is the best and from that moment on I felt like I was part of the national team, with or without minutes, I felt the motivation of wanting to be in the greatest number of squads and, thank God, I have been consistent.

Now he will play his first Copa América…

They are different sensations. The first is unforgettable. The national team unites us all, it is special and having been in these last games (against Spain and Romania), with a good individual and collective performance, keeps alive the option of being called up to play in a Copa América.

He had Lorenzo as an assistant. It has changed a lot?

The teacher gave me a lot of advice when I was with Pékerman, he is an excellent person and that is why things have gone well for him. That is why the players who have worked with him have so much appreciation for him and that is reflected in the moment the national team is experiencing. He has done hard work, with a lot of dedication, little by little, step by step, with all the dedication and hence the results.

What is Lorenzo’s main virtue as leader of the national team?

He is a very simple person, who listens and is demanding, because he is clear that in the national team he always demands the maximum. For me it is a pleasure to work and learn at your side. He is putting the team back where it needed to be put.

Did you change the chip with it?

I have rarely seen the atmosphere that exists in each call and God allow that team that has been put together to achieve something. It may sound trite, that the national team is a family, but it is one thing to say it and another to achieve it and live it. Before being a good team, this team is a family because each player who arrives feels supported. In a group with so many personalities, achieving that coexistence is key.

What does Lorenzo ask of the sides?

This team has harmony when uniting the lines, both in defense and in play construction and finishing. The full-backs are asked to be very forceful, solid in defense and from that, with display and joy in attack, which in my case I can contribute, help and add to the attack. This position requires a lot of physical effort. If he defends, he goes on the attack, delivers the ball well and can assist or define; one becomes a surprise factor. That is what we are giving to the team on the wings and it is one of our strengths.

How do you handle the undefeated thing?

Playing all those games without losing with the teacher says a lot, but we see the focus of the next game and from there we give all our energy and concentration to it. This has been the case during all these games and a brand has been expanding that, it is a secret to no one, is striking. We are not obsessed, but we value the undefeated. We feel that it shows that this team is doing something serious and is on the right path. But, beyond the record, it is about growing as a team game by game, training by training, in each call-up.

How to prevent victories against powers such as Brazil, Germany or Spain from causing dislocation?

Beating this type of team is quite good and admirable. However, being undefeated in 21 games means that we approach each game with the seriousness and determination they deserve, whether in a knockout or friendlies. Any rival you face, whether above or below in the ranking, is demanding. Nowadays there are no more friendlies and we have to give value to everything that adds up and that has led us to this brand. Without looking down on any rival, facing them with respect and going out to eat them with attitude and football.

Arriving as favorites in the Copa América is inevitable due to the moment and the results. Do you like that?

It is inevitable not to hear that, but when tournaments like the Copa América, the qualifying rounds or a World Cup are played, I think everyone gives their best, all of them. We feel that we have been building the dream of being able to win it or play in the final, but we also know the difficulty we have in doing so, starting with the complex group that we were assigned to. There are several Conmebol teams that come in handy, in addition to the Concacaf powers and the current world champion, who must be respected. We have the mentality to work on each call to beat each rival. Go step by step. Game by game, we trust in our ability to go to the last.

What is your opinion of the group’s rivals?

Paraguay’s drive always makes it difficult, especially because of their good aerial and direct play. Costa Rica has qualified for the last world championships and teacher Gustavo Alfaro knows us very well. And Brazil has several players who in their position are the best in the world. It will be a special match for them because they were beaten in the playoffs, they see what we are doing and they always have the obligation to win what they play.