Colombian national team player Richard Ríos criticized the press a few hours before the match against Brazil: “Don’t make us controversial”

The midfielder questioned journalists for speculating about the level and involvement of players within the starting lineup – credit Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

The Colombian team will face the last match of the stage group of the Copa América 2024 today at 8 pm (local time). The Cafeterias arrive as group leaders and with a win or a draw against Brazil, they will finish as they were. This will allow them to avoid Uruguay in the quarter finals and play the match against Panama.

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Much is expected of the level that the team will show in the duel that will be played at the Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, against the Canarinhas. Those led by Néstor Lorenzo arrive in great form, filling the Colombians with enthusiasm to celebrate a second successive victory against the five-time champions. of the world.

The Colombian team will face Brazil again after the qualifiers in November 2023, when the Tricolor won 2-1 in Barranquilla – credit Ricardo Maldonado Rozo/EFE

Precisely one of the players who was fundamental in the competition spoke about the level and state of mind of the team, he also took advantage of the moment to ‘pull the ears’ of the Colombian journalists who have generated rumors regarding the level of the team. starters and centers.

It’s about the midfielder Richard Ríos, Palmeiras player and star of the national team, who stated that anyone can play, inviting the press to stop creating ‘controversy’ where there is none.

“I feel that you are the one who says: ‘who can play, I don’t know why one or the other doesn’t play’, if we are all here in the national team then anyone can play. So we are very good. I said once before: he is the one who plays because the coach sees that he can play and that he is needed for that game. So I think you posted that. Don’t dispute us because we’re fine, we’re happy and, as you just said, there’s a very healthy competition.“.

Colombia national team player questioned by national press for trying to stir controversy in squad – credit Facebook

Among the expectations for the match, doubts have arisen about Colombia’s starting eleven. Three figures from the national team, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios and Rafael Santos Borré, have yellow cards, which puts them in a delicate position. If they are reprimanded again, they could miss out on the quarter finals. This forces the teacher Lorenzo to analyze other options for the duel against Brazil at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

In order not to put these main players at risk in a game that is expected to be played, the substitutes could be the following: Jhon Córdoba for Santos Borré, who already showed a good performance against Costa Rica with a goal. In midfield, Kevin Castaño and Mateus Uribe could replace Lerma and Ríos, giving the representatives the opportunity to show their level.

Although the Colombian coach indicated in a recent press conference that, apart from protecting the players for the quarter-finals, the immediate objective is to qualify as the leaders of the group. The Argentine coach emphasized that they will also take into account the warnings to avoid unwarranted fouling. some coffee players may face stiff sanctions.

“The priority is to leave the group first, except to be ranked. When we say that the line between players is fine, if we take care of one for being warned that we are giving up, the team is going to go out and play in the best way and those who are waiting for the opportunity will have to to clarify. when it’s his turn. (…) We must take this into account so as not to give a stern warning to something that is not justifiable, if it can be avoided it is better than yes, but we must have the maturity to know how to play in these circumstances. We will take it into account,” said Néstor Lorenzo.

The coach in the press conference showed his winning spirit, but also respect against a historic rival – credit John G. Mabanglo/EFE EPA

The quarterfinals were organized as follows: Argentina and Ecuador will face each other in one of the keys, while Venezuela and Canada will define the other. On the other side of the calendar, Uruguay will face the second in Group D, while Panama will face one against the leader of that group. For this reason, a win or a draw is so important to avoid an early confrontation with one of the teams that have received the most prospects in the continental competition, like the team led by Marcelo ‘El Loco’ Bielsa.