Last update 6 April, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
Colombia returns to a World Cup event sixteen years later. From France 98, the Colombian team did not participate in the maximum soccer tournament par excellence, which generates great enthusiasm and ambition in a country where football is lived with great passion. The talented squad of footballers led by the old rocker Pekerman, It is possibly the best in the history of coffee growers. A team that has little or nothing to envy that of the early nineties, to men like Valderrama, Higuita or Asprilla. Argentine José Pekerman has his very clear idea of the game, which led them to qualify without much trouble. A coach who never abandons his football philosophy and a team with a thousand and one offensive variants, all equally effective.
A block that must find that balance that loses in certain phases of the matches and that has a significant number of individuals that can solve a match. They are not the best at crafting, but if they find the spaces with some ease and facing goal they are lethal. Even with the more than presumable loss of Radamel Falcao, they have an impressive number of good forwards. Yes indeed, none is comparable to "El Tigre".
Group C gathers selections from 4 different continents and a very similar football level, in which Colombia, is a step above the rest. Only in Italy 90 they managed to pass the group stage and get into the round of 16. At least they must match that performance.
Strengths:
El gol. The tricolor can boast of having real dynamite from the medullary forward. Whoever plays they are all very dangerous men, with different qualities but above all with a lot of goal. Teófilo Gutiérrez (River Plate), Adrian Ramos (Hertha de Berlín), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Jackson Martinez (Port), James Rodriguez (Monaco) and the best of them all Radamel Falcao.
The insurmountable desire to play and experience a World Cup. Colombia has been watching three World Cups on television and from a distance. Your enthusiasm and freshness can catapult you. The World Cup takes place in Brazil, neighboring country, so thousands of Colombians will cross the border to fly their national team. They have one of the most effervescent swellings. Yellow fever will invade Brazil with the drive and encouragement of its warm fans.
Weak points:
Falcao's injury. If he reaches the World Cup, He will not do it in optimal conditions and he is clearly the scorer, captain and idol. Its more than presumably low, it would not only affect football, but psychologically and emotionally all Colombians would be affected.
The crossing. If they make it through the group stage, they will surely face off against a world champion in the round of 16. It does not matter if they are classified as first or second, at the crossroads they will wait for England, Italy or Uruguay, any of them, it's more than a tough nut to crack.
Defensive insecurity. Slowness, the loss of brands and concentration continues to be conspicuous by its absence today. Vital points that must be urgently improved to get far in a championship such as a World Cup.
Alignment (with the doubt of Radamel Falcao):
Coach:
José Pekerman has managed to return the illusion to Colombian football, Thanks in part to the group of soccer players you have. Revered and loved by an infinite generation of coaches, never abandons his game philosophy. Great connoisseur of modern football, few perceive the game like him. Three times he has been proclaimed youth world champion with the albiceleste. In the world Cup 2006 Germany led Argentina to the quarterfinals in his only participation as a coach in a World Cup to date. Regarding clubs, few have been lucky enough to have old Pekerman, Leganes, Toluca and Tigres.
Palmares:
Four World Cup participations 62, 90, 94y 98.
America's Cup Champion 2001.
Fourth in the Confederations 2003.
Currently 5th in the FIFA Ranking.