Colombian National Team General Thread

True and being international players adds to the transfer value of the players

Id send a bunch of good FPC players and call it a day

 

This will be a test for Lorenzo. He never really calls up field players from Colombia so this situation my force his hand a bit. I hope at least a handful of guys from Colombia and Mexico are on this squad who regularly play at altitude.
If not, he really just does not rate those leagues as good enough at all.

 

That’s probably true but it would be a few weeks more prepared than if not. As someone who regularly works out I’m sure even 2 weeks training in a similar environment would be a blessing even if a small one.

 

first time I went with my wife to see her family Mexico City, we went for a run in a park that was as flat as a pancake. I went from running 9:30 - 10:00 minute miles to 11:00 - 12.00 miles and that was after being there for nearly a week. That altitude is no joke.

 

Yeah when I went to Utah I felt it man

 

I lived in bogota for a year but j can't remember how long it took for me to get used to the altitude. I'm going to say it was a week.

When I say used to the altitude I don't mean just walking, I mean running and playing soccer.

The first days playing are bad it feels like you are falling down a cliff

 

loser

 

Pekerman used to do the exact same thing.

You can see the passion and love for Colombia exuding from them. Nothing wrong with that at all.

And it is more than a job, they both have formed bonds and relationships. Pekerman even became a dual citizen. Would not surprise me if Lorenzo did the same.

 

Especially for coaches, seeing the team that they coach succeed in such matters is a satisfying thing that brings out the passion.

 

he's just bored and rich.

 

I thought that this was actually a good stat to see what points would guarantee a 6th spot. To me it would be 25. I saw on one ocasion the 6th was 27 but it was a whole 9 points down to the 7th so you really don't need that many points.

 

Brazil shouldn’t have fired Tite. 45 points with the lack of talent they have is pretty damn impressive

 

Technically Tite stepped down. Maybe it was mutual or he knew he would get fired but I think it was mentally draining on him so he had enough.

 

with this new WCQ format we would have made EVERY WC! haha

 

well being in 2nd place would always get us into a WC! let’s stay a top 3 team

we have always been let’s take Uruguays spot looks like we took Brazils

 

Yes I'm not really worried about us qualifying I just want it to be done as fast as possible so we can.
A) Let our european guys stay with their teams and maximise their performances.
B) Let all these interesting players like Mier and Monsalve, Cucho and countless others get their shot. Also it would be good so there won't be any "loyalty" picks for the WC, like "oh man this player X has been with us from day 1, we owe it to him to call him up for the WC squad.

I know it's cruel but we should pick the best. In fact the player I chose as a user name was responsible for us qualifying to Italia -90 and still never went there. That was cruel I thought and he should've been there for his quality not as a loyalty call.

 

I have doubts that even after we secure the WC berth, Lorenzo is just going to play a 2nd string team. He may pepper in a guy or two and maybe give our current bench warmers more time but that's about it.

 

Yeah he is not benching an in form team and tbh

he shouldn’t

 

agree. There are definitely some holes to plug.

1 - do we play the same formation/tactics game without James (BECAUSE THE TIME WILL 100% COME). Clearly, Colombia is VERY dependent on set pieces. Corners/FKs but without James precision, is JFQ the guy? Asprilla is still young and developing his style to suit the NT but he's much more of a threat in the last 1/3 and doesn't have quite the same consistency with his passing. He's more of a 1 v 1 AMF using speed and space to attack. He will drive that danger into the box, where James makes the ball do all the work. This "B plan" is still to be worked out.

2 - Strengthen our Back-ups: RB (Munoz simply doesn't have any competition that's even close at the moment). LB (Nothing new here. Mojica can be great or stink it up at times. But similar to RB position, we're lacking in this department if we want to go deeper in tournaments)

3 - Arias has become indispensable. He can play all over and does a lot of defensive work to boot. Does he have a back up that can do the same? Not just yet.

4- Lerma - In 2 years Solis may be ready for primetime. He has that physicality that Lerma offers but tactically he can also be found out of position. Castano and Portilla are a work in progress. With the exception of Casierra and Cordoba, Russia/Eastern Europe leagues has been our European version of Mexico where our up and coming stars go to die (Darwin Q, Dayro, Carrascal, Barrios come to mind). Castano needs a move.

5 - Vargas - our #1. Will probably be our #1 in the WC but I think we all agree Mier should have his shot.

 

Qualify by end of the year 4 games 12 points. 28 we are in

both home games better be wins, Bolivia don’t sends James out there but should be a win,

Uruguay in Uruguay. This is the statement !!! We beat them in Uruguay. If not a tie brings us to 26 points instead of 28

regardless we are in

 

1) In addition to what you said Monsalve should be slowly brought into the fold too. Hopefully by November he is a part of the squad. Just too much talent and could be the best alternative at #10 by the end of the cycle if he keeps up his great form.

2) Seems like it is Santi and Cabal but who knows. Maybe C.Borja. Hopefully some better options pop up but I doubt it.

3) You are so spot on. J Arias is very difficult to replace. Maybe Yaser can eventually play his spot though in the future.

4) Solis just does not have the pesky grit or the gutsy attitude that Lerma has had since his early days at Levante. It is one of those personality things that you either have or don't have. He can still develop and be less timid and grow but I think Lerma will be our starter until 2026. We shall see though.

5) It may take an injury or suspension for the transition to the next Keeper to start.
And I know Mier is the one most of us want. BUT as I said in the Keeper thread Montero has done nothing wrong in his appearances either so it will be difficult to just hand the reins over to Mier. And if Vazquez continues to be solid in Italy we have a good battle of depth I never imagined just 6 or 7 months ago.