The Colombian national team coach surprised with Cuesta and Córdoba in the second match of group D.
John Cordoba in Colombia
Photo: Instagram
By:
Futbolred Editorial Team
June 28, 2024, 04:32 p.m. m.
Jhon Córdoba and Carlos Cuesta were the big news on the Colombian National Team’s starting roster for their second outing in group D of Copa América 2024 against Costa Rica.
The case of defender is due to the need to replace Jhon Lucumí, a regular starter but who was injured after 26 minutes in the 2-1 victory against Paraguay.
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He is a surprising defender because, in the Lorenzo era, he only played 8 games, a total of 642 minutes, according to Sofascore.
Why him and not Yerry Mina, who was the one who acted in Houston for most of the game? In fact that day, when Lucumí asked for the change, the strategist opted for Mina’s experience and left the youngest on the bench after the warm-up. He is now the owner of it.
And the adjustment is due to the fact that Mina can provide less speed than Cuesta when it comes to direct duels, a reason that was considered sufficient to have a duo of central defenders with Dávinson Sánchez who does not have much experience, compared to Lucumí and Dávinson or even Dávinson and Mina.
Changed the usual 9
The other big news on Colombia’s starting roster is Jhon Córdoba, perhaps the most surprising because for Lorenzo there seemed to be no discussion of Rafael Santos Borré as a permanent 9.
It draws attention because, beyond the last two goals in friendlies, he barely totaled 179 minutes in 5 games in the Lorenzo era.
Why him and not a more mobile striker like Borré? It is one of those changed cards that coaches throw to confuse the rival, who surely did not expect an area reference. Lorenzo bets on giving Juan Pablo Vargas and his team problems in the five-man defense and causing an error and a still ball that could open the bolt.
Córdoba has in its favor that it comes with great continuity, a good scoring streak and good integration with the group. Your golden opportunity to shine in a points competition is now.
