04:55 PM
The Colombian National Team faces a new challenge in its match against Costa Rica in the Copa América, this Friday at 5:00 p.m. One of the crucial decisions that coach Néstor Lorenzo must make is who will replace Jhon Lucumí in defense. The two main candidates to fill this position are Yerry Mina and Carlos Cuesta, both with characteristics and trajectories that could influence this choice. We consulted different analysts about which of the two could be more useful for the Tricolor in this crucial match.
Yerry Mina is known for his solid defensive presence and his ability to dominate in the air, both defensively and offensively. With experience at big-name clubs such as Everton in the Premier League and in international competitions with the national team, Mina brings a significant dose of leadership and confidence to the team. His performance at the 2018 World Cup, where he scored three headed goals, is a testament to his ability to be decisive at key moments.
“He is dominant in aerial balls, which is crucial both in defense and in offensive set pieces,” said former Colombia defender Alexis Mendoza. He also highlighted that his extensive experience in high-level competitions allows him to handle pressure and guide his teammates in difficult moments. “His ability to score goals in set pieces can be an additional advantage for Colombia,” he added.
Carlos Cuesta, on the other hand, represents the new generation of Colombian defenders. With a notable performance at Genk in Belgium, Cuesta has proven to be a fast, agile defender with good anticipatory skills. His youth is not an impediment, but rather an advantage that allows him to adapt quickly and maintain a high physical level during games.
“Cuesta is fast and agile, which allows him to effectively confront fast forwards and provide coverage in case his defensive teammates get out of position,” said former National Team player, Hárold Lozano. The former soccer player added that he has great ability to read the game and anticipate the opponent’s moves to intercept balls and cut off attacks efficiently.
“Coach Lorenzo’s decision will depend largely on the strategy he wants to implement,” Lozano said. If the coach is looking for a solid and experienced defence, capable of handling high-pressure situations and taking advantage of set pieces, Yerry Mina would be the logical choice. But if Lorenzo opts for a more dynamic and faster defence, capable of neutralising fast forwards and offering greater versatility, Carlos Cuesta would be an ideal option.
Coffee growers and Ticos meet again after 8 years for this competition, and this rivalry between Colombians and Costa Ricans has not been distant in recent editions, remembering that they have faced each other on 4 occasions. The last was in the group stage of the 2016 Copa América when Costa Rica won 3-2. That has been the only Tico victory, since in 1997 Colombia beat them 4-1, in 2004 by 2-0 and in 2011 by 1-0. The idea is to win again to qualify for the last match of the group stage against Brazil.
Data sheet
Event: Copa America, date 2 Group D
Stadium: State Farm (Arizona)
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay)
Hour: 5:00 pm
Television: Caracol and RCN
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Dávinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos; Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Rafael Santos Borré.
Technical: Nestor Lorenzo
Costa Rica: Patrick Sequeira; Haxzel Quiros, Jeyland Mitchell, Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo; Jefferson Brenes, Orlando Galo, Ariel Lassiter; Manfred Ugalde, Brandon Aguilera and Alvaro Zamora
Technical: Gustavo Alfaro
