It has become a habit: as long as everyone is healthy, the Colombian National Team usually uses the same starters. They are almost recited by heart.
And although it seemed that the trend would continue in the first match of the Copa América 2024, this Monday against Paraguay in Houston, an important novelty could be made.
Coach Néstor Lorenzo himself has said that, if it were up to him, the changes in the starting lineup would be minimal, if not nonexistent. The issue is that there is always a determining physical issue and that has forced, for the good of the team, to see several new faces.
The last friendlies anticipated a fixed scheme, but there were subtle changes, such as Ríos for Uribe or Córdoba for Borré, looking for an alternative in case of difficulty in this Monday’s debut.
And although it has been said from US territory that the eleven initial players against the United States, last week in Washington, would be the same ones that take the field this Monday, a novelty, unexpected for many, is making its way.
Type training
In that test, which ended 5-1 in favor of the Colombians, with goals from Arias, Borré, Carrascal, Ríos and Sinisterra, the initial formation was the one that has accumulated the most minutes in the national team, not necessarily in the clubs.
Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Lerma, Uribe; Arias, Rodríguez, Díaz and Borré. So much has been said that it is like reciting it.
But be careful, there would be an important novelty: Yerry Mina. According to reports from Houston, the one who started against Bolivia in the second friendly would win against his Caucano countryman Dávinson Sánchez.
Because? According to several media outlets, including ESPN and his representatives Liche Durán and Jorge Bermúdez, the man from Cagliari would prevail due to his character and leadership and the possibility of scoring a goal with his good offensive aerial game. After all, he is a defender with 7 goals on the scoresheet and is an ace up Lorenzo’s sleeve.
They gave clues
Mina is an effective man in a direct duel and one of those mental wear factors for the rival, as he is an expert in provoking and removing from the game those who do not have enough composure to handle his mark.
And that has made Lorenzo call him up even when he has had no minutes, due to his successive injuries. Not only did it give him confidence in the last test prior to the Copa América but in the Qualifiers Guachené’s man was the first baseman, against all odds, precisely against the Paraguayans.
It will always be a bet to use Mina, since there is a significant injury mark, but in this type of tournament you have to take risks. If he stayed above Yerson Mosquera it is to play.
