One of the most talented squads in Colombia’s history will face Brazil with the top spot in Copa America Group D on the line Tuesday night in Santa Clara, Calif.
Perhaps no one is more aware of Los Cafeteros’ capabilities than the Brazilians.
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson is club teammates with Colombia attacker Luis Diaz at Liverpool.
“It’s not going to be one guy who will block him,” Alisson said. “It’s not going to be one player that will block him or neutralize him. It’s not going to be me with a save. This is about teamwork.”
Brazil boss Dorival Junior previously coached enigmatic Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez at Sao Paulo before taking the national team job, and he can tell that the 32-year-old is playing more freely for his country than he has in an at-times turbulent club career.
“He feels very comfortable wearing the Colombia jersey,” Dorival Junior said. “He feels really well, fully integrated, with a team that respects him, that embraces him and which makes him feel even more important.”
It’s not often that Brazil, five-time World Cup champions and nine-time Copa America winners, spend so much time in a press conference discussing the opponent’s players.
Colombia (2-0-0, 6 points) deserves it thanks to an active 25-match unbeaten streak that includes wins in the past 10. Los Cafeteros are assured of a spot in the quarterfinals, and they need only a draw to top the group and avoid a potential quarterfinal meeting with in-form Uruguay, the likely Group C winner.
Brazil (1-0-1, 4 points) needs a victory to claim first place in Group D.
Even so, Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo said it’s a bit extreme to call his side favorites.
“I feel that with Brazil, you’re never the favorite,” Lorenzo said. “Because it is a team with a very strong track record, and we’re just beginning to write a couple of pages in the history of football. Colombia is a nation which has been good at times, but we are hoping for more.”
Lorenzo said his team’s yellow-card situation could play into his lineup selection, with striker Jhon Cordoba and midfielder Richard Rios among those sitting on yellows.
Dorival Junior pledged to play his best 11 available, which likely means Vinicius Junior — who struck for a brace in a 4-1 win over Paraguay — won’t be rested even though Brazil are all but assured of advancing to the quarterfinals.
–Field Level Media
