I alluded to this in the other thread but Queiroz has been known to never start two creative players at the same time. Cardona was also injured recently so we don;t know if he could have started. Add in the fact that he is not known as the most disciplined player defensively, and would not be able to play the right side like Cuadrado; I think maybe he is not the best option to play instead of Cuadrado in that position on the field. Maybe if Cardona was put in James' role and James played the Cuadrado role it would have a better chance of happening but in that case you would be asking more defensively from James and less creativity.
General comment about Cuadrado.... He’s been driving us crazy for a few years now. I recall people were ready to give the crown to Marlos Moreno after having 2 impressive games. He does so much that we like / dislike that his role is very complicated. At times he is frustrating to watch with his dives, momentum killer plays and inability to force a foul but he is one of the key people that helped Colombia move away from the “pass backward / don’t do anything risky” generation that plagued us from 1999-2010 He still takes risks and his ability to wear down opposing teams is still evident. It seems he is really taking the steps to change his style of game from pacy winger to midfield general and he continues to be one of those guys that wants the ball and wants to be leading the attack. Luis Díaz and Roger both are showing hints of that panache cuadrado had early in his NT career. I can only hope those two are here to stay for awhile and not be some flash in the pan like Marlos was. I have a feeling when Cuadrado is gone, only then will we truly apppreciate what he brings to the squad (tangible and intangible). With that said, cuadrado drives me crazy too at times with some of his antics.
Cuadrado's work rate is very high, which I assume is why CQ plays him as a centralized midfielder, mainly to apply the pressure and chase down opposing players. However his passing is suspect and his tackling is even worse. However I do think I appreciate what CQ is trying to accomplish as while his main job is to neutralize the midfield he is given the liberty to attack as well, problem is isn't as sharp as he once was.
Playing Cuadrado really helps James since they can switch, Cuadrado can push higher and wide and James can drop in, it makes us a lot more fluid which is great and his defensive work rate helps to allow James more freedom, we don't really have anyone else with that profile which is why I think we'll keep seeing him. He can burst from midfield he can absorb attention and free up others and you can't really ever sleep on him because he can make runs from anywhere. On paper he's perfect, but god damn idk why he's so stubborn in certain ways. He can't play in a front attacking 3 because when he does he just stays central and doesn't really make a lot of runs off the ball, he's done really well in his career but the guy could have added a ton more if he simply tweeked a few things and learned to be more disciplined tactically and in holding positions. IDK part of what makes him good is he does tend to think differently and outside of the box, but it also bites him in the ass.
Another variant might be having Uribe play Cuadrado's postion and having Lerma play Uribe's position. But having so many Defensive Mids would have people here angry too.
My thoughts/rating for the game, once again a bit late: Ospina (7) - Didn't have toomuch job, but when Qatar had several dangerous chances in the second half, Ospina was there to save the shots. #TuTranquilo Medina (6) - Didn't have the best game. didn't have too much work in the first half, tried to support the attack but once again inaccurate crossing and misunderstanding with Cuadrado in the right flank. Davinson (6.5) - Wasn't bothered too much and when Qatar had chances, he was there. Solid and regular performance. Mina (7) - Have won every offensively and defensively battle in the air. solid performance next to Davinson and another clean sheet match. Tesillo (6.5) - Once again very active, but just like Medina he is very inaccurate with his crossing. It's too bad since we have players with such good header. Other than that, solid performance defensively and offensively. Barrios (8) - Another excellent performance. Broke the rival's offensive game time after time, doesn't let the midfielders to breath. Without a doubt key player for Queiroz in this NT. Uribe (5.5) - Didn't play well. Wasn't involve in the game, didn't contribute offensively. I thought that CQ should've take him out and put Cardona in. Cuadrado (6) - Also didn't play well. Once again inaccurate, too many dribbles, we lose possession when he tries every time his skills. He tried his best but right now it's not good enough. James (8.5) - MOM. Brilliant, Crack, you name it. What a pass to Duvan's head. Created seven clear chances to his teammates who failed to score. Roger (6.5) - Played less good than against Argentina, but still was good, active, had 2-3 good chances to score. I'm happy with him Duvan (7.5) - Best Colombian striker and the moment, very good choice to start with him. Scored a magnificent goal and managed to handle with the rival's defense. Subs: Arias (6) - Replaced Medina but also didn't play well. Qatar made their dangerous counter attacks from his side. Falcao (6) - El Tigre entered to the games in the second half but didn't have too many chances to score, Regular. Diaz - (6.5) Nice debut. Had some several good dribbles + left Duvan one-on one to score but he missed. Queiroz (8) - Another good plan by the portuguese. Colombia played very well but missed a lot. Only complaining I have is that Carondona shouldve enter to the game when Qatar started to bunker.
Ospina really had 1 true save vs Qatar, he really wasnt tested. Mina was caught a bit flat-footed and it was DS that saved his positioning at times. Sometimes Mina tries to get too fancy and gets off the script. Lastly, while Falcao didn't score, take a look at the play that leads to Duvan's goal. He had a huge part in the build up and he was the one that found James, hence his 'regular' play was crucial in those final minutes. In fact, I would probably guess that James was aiming for Falcao but Duvan just happened to be in the same spot.
I personally remember two good saves, almost positive regarding the third one. As for Falcao, didn't do too much in 25 minutes. It's nice that he was positioned next to Duvan but there's no chance that today's Falcao manage to score this one in. Maybe James searched for him maybe not, doesn't really matter. It's not Falcao of 2012 and even though he deserves a call, today's spot deserves to Duvan as long as CQ wants to play with one striker. Mina had a good game, even if one time Sanchez covered for him. Actually, it's a miracle after these two matches to see how Mina plays considering that he only played 1025 minutes during the whole year.
I want to see Lucumi for Mina Montero for Ospina Trail by fire in a meaningless game But more likely Zapata for Mina as a bye
Solid ratings! Uribe's yellow was very stupid and i would have given him a 6 just for that. i thought he was neither good nor bad - to me i found him to be more of a link up guy rather than a playmaker type player so i felt he was providing that midfield balance. at the end of the first game, he definitely lacked focus and was showing poor decision making. overall, i am comfortable with him on the pitch but i also thought that Cardona would have been first sub for Cuadrado or Uribe Wednesday. hopefully Cardona is fit for Sunday. i do like uribe's tenacity but strongly felt he had no business getting into that guy's face - i get it..everyone has their teammates' back and from a psychological POV, it's good to put some fear into the opponent's soul i gave my speel about Cuadrado the other day - he's always going to be a mix bag of good and bad so outside of obtaining a stupid yellow/red card - i'm going to expect his performances to be a roller coaster experience LOL
#ElVBARCaracol El arquero David Ospina viajará esta noche a Colombia para acompañar a su familia en el difícil momento que enfrentan. No estará el domingo vs Paraguay.— El VBAR CARACOL (@VBarCaracol) June 21, 2019
idk apparently some family thing, regardless i've seen that CQ is planning on using all subs for Paraguay anyway