'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A lot has changed for the Colombian national side within a year. Their performances at last year’s FIFA World Cup earned them a rousing reception back home but there is no doubt that the country will be very disappointed with the team’s performance at the Copa America this time around. The Los Cafeteros exited the competition after a 5-4 shootout defeat at the hands of Argentina.Jose Pekerman’s side were praised for the attacking brand of football they played last summer but this time around, words like insipid and decrepit are being used with their performances. Blame it on fatigue or a lack of team cohesion, the Colombian side just wasn’t the same outfit that set the competition alight last summer in Brazil.Here’s an attempt at analyzing what might have gone wrong with the team –
#1 Approach
Neutrals would no doubt have considered the side to be one of the favourites for the competition, yet right from the beginning of the tournament, the desire and the willingness was absent among the players.
The team did not begin the competition in the best possible manner, as they suffered a defeat in the opening game against Venezuela. But they did bounce back with a 1-0 win against Brazil.
However, that historic win against Brazil was overshadowed by some ugly scenes with both Neymar and Carlos Bacca getting sent off. The scenes at the end of the game perhaps revealed that the players looked happier to have had Neymar sent off than to have won the game.
Intentional or not, the vibe from the Radamel Falcao-led side wasn’t that of a team which was eager to create history.
#2 Failure of top stars
One of the major reasons behind Colombia’s success at last year’s World Cup was the genius of the new age Galactico - James Rodriguez. James scored six goals en route to his Golden Boot triumph and was integral to Colombia’s campaign.
However at the Copa America, he looked a shadow of the player that led to a certain Florentino Perez bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu. A not-so-great second half of the season at Real might have been one of the reasons why he was low on confidence.
Apart from him, the likes of Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado and Jackson Martinez also underperformed. Carlos Bacca who had a wonderful season in Seville got himself foolishly sent off in the game against Brazil.
Falcao, Cuadrado and Martinez didn’t have the best of seasons for their respective clubs and that form of theirs is perhaps what trickled down to the International arena.
#3 Style of Play
In Brazil last year, Pekerman favoured a 4-4-2 formation with James and Cuadrado playing on the wings. It was this wing play which eventually contributed to Colombia’s success. James finished as the top goalscorer with Cuadrado notching up the highest number of assists as the likes of Aguilar and Sanchez were brilliant in the middle of the field.
At the Copa America, the formation changed to 4-2-2-2 with Pekerman sacrificing the wing play which was so effective last year. James and Cuadrado played right in front of the two central or holding midfielders. The absence of wingers meant that the goals dried up and the team as a whole adopted a defensive approach.
#4 Absence of a leader
Colombia made their appearance in the World Cup last year after a 16-year wait. No doubt, the occasion galvanized the nation and charged the players up. Veteran defender Mario Yepes was crucial in leading the side from the front as they qualified to the quarter-final stage for the first time. Yepes’ years of experience shone through as he guided a young side to success.
However, this time around, the absence of a leader was greatly felt. A person like Mario Yepes leading the side would have prevented things getting ugly in the match against Brazil.
With the designated captain being Radamel Falcao, things never really worked out. He sat on the bench and after a poor season at Old Trafford, wasn’t surely the best man to lead a young side, nor their attack. The likes of Ospina and Zuniga were good enough to lead, but they all fell short of the standards set by Yepes.
#5 Lack of experience
This was a young Colombian side, with many players playing their first Copa America. The absence of some experienced players hurt the side in the shootout. The team’s misses were really poor.
It can probably be stated, without exaggeration, that Luis Muriel and Jeison Murillo hit their spotkicks into orbit. The nerves got the better of these players and eventually sent Colombia out of the competition. Argentina, on the other hand, had someone as experienced as Carlos Tevez to come in late and score the winning penalty.
In spite of this disappointing performance, there can be no doubt that the fourth-ranked side in the world is a work in progress and looks set to be a fearful opposition for any side in the future.
