Reinaldo Rueda’s Colombian National Team had a tough test against Bolivia in La Paz and that wear and tear was reflected in the final score. Both teams drew 1-1 and it was a duel with very few emotions on goal. La Tricolor had to save effort in the second half and could not sustain the victory at the Hernando Siles Reyes stadium.
Qualifications for the players of the Colombian National Team after signing with Bolivia:
David Ospina (6 points)
The goalkeeper had several key interventions to stop some medium-distance shots made by the Bolivians to take advantage of the great speed of the ball in La Paz. At the last minute, he saved the Tricolor with a force play. He couldn’t do much in the Bolivian goal.
Dávinson Sánchez (4 points)
The Tottenham defender was the most insecure player in Reinaldo Rueda’s lineup. Without the presence of Yerry Mina, he had to be the leader in the rear but he had several errors that luckily did not end badly. He was found to be imprecise in delivering the ball and did not arrive on time in several closings.
Óscar Murillo (5 points)
With Dávinson’s errors, he had to be careful behind to cover the spaces left by his teammate in defense. He did not have much participation, but he was always in the right place so that Colombia’s defensive wall did not feel disorganized.
William Tesillo (5 points)
He had a couple of appearances on the attack to help the projection of the team on the left wing. In the second half, he did not go on the attack again and took his place on the side to help the defense.
Daniel Muñoz (4 points)
He had a lot of work on the left wing. Bolivia decided to constantly attack him there and had many problems when scoring, especially in the first half. In the second part, he was protected more, he received help in the mark, but that meant sacrificing his exit to the attack.
Wilmar Barrios (7 points)
He was on the court for 87 minutes, helping permanently on the mark and was always present in the Bolivian attack. In fact, he had several providential closures to avoid the long distance shots of the rival team. Only in one play he was unable to make a presence and there was space for the Bolivians to score the tying goal.
Mateus Uribe (5 points)
He was visibly affected by the height of La Paz. In the first half, he helped organize several outings to attack Colombia, but he always gave that obligation to Juan Fernando Quintero. In the second half, he stayed behind to cover the spaces, but the physical part played against him.
Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (6 points)
This time, the ‘panita’ could not leave his usual sacrifice on the court. Reinaldo Rueda gave him more freedom in the middle of the court, but in the first minutes of the game he suffered a blow to his knee that affected his performance on the court. He returned to his interior role and did not have much participation. When he leaves the band, his influence is lost.
Juan Fernando Quintero (5 points)
His physical condition only allowed him to play the first 45 minutes. While he was on the court, he was the only player who showed the intention of organizing the game, showing himself clearly for the pass of the rest of his teammates. Unfortunately, the height took its toll on him and he couldn’t get out in the second half.
Luis Fernando Díaz (5 points)
This time, the Diaz show on the left wing could not be. He was imprecise, but above all rushed when making decisions. He was never able to finish off the goal with clarity. Nor did he have the vision to assist his companions at the right time, who offered him another alternative in the attack. The height also charged him and in the second half he disappeared from the field of play.
Roger Martínez (8 points)
Without a doubt, he was the best of Colombia on the field. Reinaldo Rueda opted for him and paid for his confidence on the court. He always received back and his return was the best. He dodged the mark of the Bolivian defense well and in the second half he was encouraged to break the rhythm of the game with individual plays. In one of those, he broke the Bolivian wall and managed to score Colombia’s only goal in the match.
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