The Costa Rica coach highlighted the tricolor and responded to the forward’s statements.
By:
Futbolred Editorial
June 27, 2024, 06:20 p.m.
After the historic draw against Brazil in their debut in the Copa America 2024the Costa Rica national team wants to go one step further and will seek victory against the Colombia selection at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Prior to the duel against the tricolor, the coach of the Ticos, Gustavo Alfaro He attended the media and there he referred to Colombia’s great moment, the high temperatures in Glendale, the defeat he gave Colombia by leading Ecuador among other topics.
Likewise, he responded to Miguel Ángel Borja that on Wednesday he had said that he hopes that Costa Rica does not get behind and comes out to play in this match.
Alfaro began by talking about the high temperatures expected for this match: “The temperature is not a minor issue, preparation cannot be done in the same way. The other day our players were going to go down 300 metres from the training pitch and I told them not to do it, we have to save energy in this heat. The other day an assistant collapsed.”
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Colombia selection
Then, he talked about the idea of the game he wants in Costa Rica: “I am building the foundations that are the structure, these are macro issues, we want the game to be represented by what I feel. I like to try to compete, I don’t get along with victory, competition and pressure is a privilege, order is fundamental, that doesn’t mean I don’t want freedom. For me, the best coach is the one who supports the structure and makes a team’s performance grow. We played against Brazil and my desire was to win, the dream is always to win a game, beyond respect for a team. Attitude is not negotiable. I hope I can guarantee results.”
Afterwards, he praised the level of Juan Pablo Vargas against Brazil: “Juan Pablo Vargas was at the level of Militao and Marquinhos, one plays for Real Madrid and another for PSG, ours doesn’t, but the level is the same, which of Juan Pablo was extraordinary.”
After talking about his team, Alfaro focused on Colombia and first responded to what Borja said and remembered the victory he gave the tricolor against Ecuador.
“I was a defender in Ecuador and we beat Colombia and Uruguay. They always tell me that I am defensive. In Ecuador we won, but we couldn’t keep a clean sheet. One day I said: ‘A clean sheet would take us to the World Cup’ and that’s why they killed me, but Ecuador continued with their goal average. The other day Vinícius was doubled up in marking, Luis Díaz and James have to be marked differently. It’s very easy to shoot with other people’s shotguns. A man needs two years to learn to talk and 60 to keep quiet. I’m 61 and I’ve already learned to keep quiet. I’d like to see how many coaches dare to play against the five-time world champion with 8 under-23s. Of course we would like to be Colombia, Brazil, but we are Costa Rica and I feel very proud,” said the Argentine coach.
He also spoke about Colombia’s good form: “I see Colombia doing very well, I think it is the best version of a national team that exists and I told Néstor that. The Federation did very well after the tough elimination from the World Cup. Sometimes it is also easy to recognize the directors for what they had to do. It is a team that is very solid and that knows what it is playing for.”
Finally, he acknowledged that he is fond of Colombia: “I am very fond of Colombia, ordinary people recognize me a lot and I value that a lot, but now I owe myself to Costa Rica, the feeling I have for it is not going to change.” Colombia, but in 90 minutes I have to ask my heart for permission.”
