Pre-match: 2026 WCQ R-8: Colombia vs Argentina (9/10/24, Tuesday - 4:30 PM EST)

Ok from what we learned after the Peru game I'd start like this.

Vargas
Muñoz Lucumi Cuesta Mojica
Lerma Rios
Arias James Lucho
Duran

I usually think the capacity of the player should go before the necessity of the team. That the reason for a player to be in the starting line up should be that he's the best, not that the team really needs a change.
I know Duran started really well EPL but he's only scored twice and we are only 3 games in. One month may be too soon but in 2 months hopefully Duran and Yaser have been consistent and improving so much that Duran is our 9 and always starts, and that Yaser easily can compete with James over the no 10.

It is not healthy to change strikers all the time, they need consistency. I really hope these players careers evolve as I wish and that Duran has cemented the no9 by then.

I feel like Cordoba won't do anything against Argentina. And if I'm wrong I'll happily eat my words.
Even if Lucho had a so-so game by his standards you really can see in his play how he's so superior in terms of speed, precision, work rate. Liverpool-lucho is way more complete Porto-Lucho. And that goes for most of our other EPL players too. I think and hope we are going to see that in Duran too so there no longer will be a cuestion on who's our number 9.

It would've been interesting to see cucho in any position against Peru, but don't think Lorenzo will take the risk of using him against argentina and probably shouldn't either.

 

Don't know what to expect. Argentina is coming in all high and mighty thinking their crap doesnt stink.

We have not played well in Barranquilla during the day. I am not sure James can play more than a half.

I think I'd be happy with an ugly 0-0. But hopefully we sneak out a victory somehow.

 

You think in a month or 2 that Yaser can bench James? You saw how the team played without James haha

I mean yea I’d love it if we had 12 strikers better than prime Falcao, better defenders than In Prime Yepes(but faster) Prime cordoba (but taller) but this isn’t fifa these guys don’t just pop out of a youth system every 2 months

At Yaser age James was bossing in Portugal. The talent level is just very vast and a the guy really should be given more respect than that

I agree about Duran. Cordoba is just keeping that spot warm for him.

 

I'm cool with this lineup, maybe could try Cabal for Munoz but doubtful. Think alot of what we are gonna do will rely on how much James can play, I think if James isn't able to start Yaser starting makes a lot of sense also it may not be a terrible game for Borre to start if no James either. I think with James fitness not up to speed its probably better to bring him off the bench and allow him to play against more tired opponents, he also may not even be ready for 45 full minutes in the heat against Argentina. I think my base case is just swap in Yaser let him go 60 in the James roll and if you're gonna push the 9 wide start Duran (would go Cucho but he won't).

 

Well I agree that James was a bigger talent and played more maturely from the start of his career. James was boss at an early age while Yaser is more like a shy kid with a great talent, and he doesn't have the same presence on the pitch at all.
But if he manages to play the 10 position in one of the best leagues in the world succesfully I don't think it's that far fetched that he could compete with a walking 32 year old james. They just have very different traits. But leadership-wise no one is disputing that James is unique for us.

Time will tell if the girona experience will make him or break him.

 

Imma be happily watching it on Golcaracol's youtube channel; if you live in Colombia, they livestream the qualifiers. Since I have a VPN I can just watch it conveniently.

 

Golcaracol if I'm not mistaken throw in a lot of commercials even while they're playing. Pretty annoying.

 

On the live stream thankfully I haven't seen or noticed as I would on TV. My worse issue would be if the stream randomly freezes every few minutes.

 

Game Day is finally here.
Unfortunately I will be working so I will have to hear it on RCN radio on my phone again.

Keys to the match and what I am curious about:

1) Will the CB pairing be ready? All reports are Cuesta is good to go but we shall see. Can Lucumí play back-to-back full 90s after his injury? Something to keep an eye on.

2) What in the World will the midfield look like? JArias seems to be the only 100% starter who can go 90. James may start but making him go a full 90 seems foolish (making him go more than 45 seems foolish). Can Lerma go back-to-back 90? Will Castaño start? People say Rios was not that good last match so it will be interesting to see if he starts his first match in Barranquilla.

3) We need Diaz to play like he has at Liverpool. He needs to play like a super star cause quite frankly he has been a bit underwhelming especially at home. (I know that may be harsh but he is a great player and we know he can play better.) Who do we start at 9? Córdoba? Will Duran get a chance ? (His best role seems to be the super sub role as at Aston Villa but you never know) Please, for the love of everything good... ... no Santos Borre.

4) Any surprises? Solis? Yaser?

 

No surprises

expect


Vargas
munoz cuesta lucumi mojica
Rios lerma arias
James
Cordoba diaz

 

Yeah, I don't expect big surprises in the starting lineup, but Lorenzo seems to have revamped the subs, so I do expect to see Duran, Asprilla and possibly Sinisterra, trying to exploit a tired Argentinian defense. The bad news, is that Argentina could start Alvarez, Castellanos and Macallister, and then sub in Lautaro, Dybala and Lo Celso to exploit a tired Colombian defense.

 

I expect to see Santos Borre in some way shape or form. Maybe he does one of his chilena miraculous goals and becomes a hero. But more than likely he just runs around and misses most of his chances.

 

Hope it's Cucho's time for redemption or to shine.

Cucho for James Would be more in line with what coach ask Borre to do but not Duran/Cordoba.

Arias could move up to see if he can play the #10 role for us. Or the obvious but massive downgrade of Quintero slow lazy no stamina having ass coming in.

But yea Borre going to play.

 

I don't like Cordoba starting vs Argentina, they were smart tactically and he was isolated in areas wide on the ball that took him out of the game. We either need to change the shape and get him central or play someone else because I don't think he has an answer in his game if he finds himself in those situations.

 

Nah it's borré. No surprise

 

Hopefully he keeps his cool . I’m excited for him tho

 

It makes sense, Cordoba had a tough time vs Argentina and we know Borre can't offer what we need to stretch Argentina.

 

no official starting lineup yet but apparently no cuesta and yerson starts in his place and will wear his number today