Jun 25, 2024, 08:52 ET
Jefferson Lerma He performed as a midfielder in the victory of Colombia to Paraguay for the America Cup. When he was replaced, the National Team lost balance.
The Valle del Cauca player plays his role as midfielder on the team in the best way. He supports the centre-backs, recovers with judgment and protects the interiors and attackers so that they advance more confidently. Very Premier League at the service of everyone.
Due to his experience, he handled the yellow card from the 13th minute amidst the friction of the Paraguayans. He removed the ball three times, won five duels out of eight, won two out of three, gave 48 good passes out of 59 and scored a goal.
While he was on the field until the 68th minute, Colombia had order. Controlled the 2-0 lead with possession. His departure and replacement by Matheus Uribe disrupted that solidity. The rival scored in the middle of the defensive confusion.
Lorenzo sent the Antioquian from five and took a while to get into that position. Paraguay took advantage of it, finding more freedom to pass. Although the National Team did not suffer, it is a repeated alert when Lerma leaves the field or is exhausted. In the March friendly against Romania in Madrid, he did not have a replacement and the victory ended narrowly at 3-2.
Kevin Castaño, fresher and accustomed to that position, is his most reliable alternative. However, he entered at 90′ for Jhon Arias.
“Very happy for the victory, for the goal. It’s the dream debut. In the end we suffered, but we are very positive about what is to come” This is football. Unfortunately for x and y reason, we did not get the goals in our football, but this is part of it. Thank God they were given to us in the aerial game, it is important, I think it is a variant that we add to our offensive game“, indicated Jefferson in Gol Caracol.
He got on the podium of the best behind James and Richard Ríos. He will have to avoid another yellow card on Friday’s second round against Costa Rica to be able to play in the group final against Brazil.
