Two months, this is exactly what is missing for the Colombian team to be again in competition in the World Cup qualifier in Qatar, in search of the claim, to straighten the path after the two hard defeats against Uruguay and Ecuador. Two months because, in addition, Reinaldo Rueda is re-released as national coach, and against the rival with whom no one wants to start: Brazil. And two months for the players to be in full swing at their clubs. For now, the weekend has been encouraging, with goals and assists to motivate the new DT.
Roda, who was officially presented last Tuesday, already had to start his detailed analysis on each of the players who will be in the frame to make up his selection, which will surely be structured from the same base by Carlos Queiroz.
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By March 25, he needs these men to be in optimal condition, with continuity of play, no injuries, or at least no long absences. It is desired when the DT has just arrived and does not have time to meet with the players beforehand, nor will he be able to do enough training and much less will he be friendly, because there are no Fifa windows for that. But for now, two months from now, Roda is full of good news.
James and Mina shone
If Reinaldo Rueda wants a dose of peace of mind, he needs his main man, James Rodríguez, to be at the highest level day by day, playing, creating and showing off, that is, motivated. Yesterday, James had activity with Everton, who beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 and advanced to the English FA Cup, and was key, with accurate passes and two assists.
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A pass from him, in the void, ended in Richarlison’s goal which was disallowed for offside in the first half. But in the second half he made up for it with two luxury centers, in a couple of corner kicks that found goal receivers in the area.
First, Richarlison. And then his compatriot Yerry Mina, who is another who wants to be in top form for Roda’s analyzes. Mina has been raising his level and yesterday he put the cherry on his forehead, proving that with him on the court, the goal in aerial play is a latent weapon. Everton won, qualified, and the Colombian pair excelled.
But when it comes to goals, great news for Reinaldo Rueda is that he has strikers on, pure goal.
Duván does not fail
Duván Zapata is still on the scoring streak.
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The turn was for Duván Zapata, who scored again and did so in the thrashing of Atalanta against Milan, 0-3, in Italian football. It is already his eighth goal in the Serie A season, confirming that his scoring level is constant. His goal on Saturday also adds to the good streak led by his colleague Luis Fernando Muriel, who this week reached his 11th goal this season and has had a splendid start to the year, with five goals in January alone, and that never plays the full 90 minutes. So the men of Atalanta remain at the best level.
They give the reassurance of the goals that Colombia will need in two months, especially when Falcao García is still not reappearing due to his injury. That’s why other unusual men are also motivated, to see if they receive the call, such as striker Jhon Córdoba, who scored on Saturday in the defeat of Hertha Berlin in Germany. Or Luis Suárez, the striker who already had his chance with the National Team and scored yesterday with Granada from Spain, although his team lost to Osasuna (3-1).
There are other footballers who, without scoring, also fill the coach with peace of mind. One of them is Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, who continues to shine day in and day out in Italy. His recent positive for covid-19 slowed his momentum, but not his performance; back, he has already played two games and has excelled in both. He did it in the middle of the week with assistance included in Juventus’ victory against Napoli in the Italian Super Cup final, and yesterday he scored another goal, in the victory against Bologna (2-0).
Quadrat assisted McKennie in the 71st minute. So he maintains his constancy, albeit as a right-back. It remains to be seen in what position the DT Roda will be able to place it.
So the key men, the main ones, fill the Colombia National Team with reasons to look for the claim in the playoffs in two months. It will depend on them to maintain and hopefully increase their level. And let the others join this chain of good news for the new coach.
PABLO ROMERO
Editor of EL TEMPS
@PabloRomeroET