Néstor Lorenzo, the coach of the Colombian national team, is already drawing up his plan for one of the most difficult matches in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America, the visit to Bolivia, which this time will be in El Alto, at 4,100 meters above sea level.
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Bolivia’s 4-0 thrashing of Venezuela at the Municipal Stadium in that city set off alarm bells for the rest of the rivals and even the coach of that team, Oscar Villegas, took pride in that decision.
“We wanted to play in El Alto because there was a good sports field, because we wanted to play good football, primarily. The fact that he is a few meters higher and that this does not sit well with the rivals, seems excellent to us, too,” Villegas said.
Speaking to Blu Radio’s Blog Deportivo, Lorenzo revealed what his strategy will be to counteract the effects of altitude in the match that will be played on October 10. He said that he had about 50 players blocked, which does not mean that all of them will be called up.
“The squad may be a little broader considering that, but we are going to maintain the base that has been playing. “Maybe in some positions we will have some players who are a little more accustomed, but that is not yet completely decided,” Lorenzo said.
“We’re going to do the preliminary training in Cochabamba, which is already at an altitude of between 150 and 200 metres, and is more similar to Bogotá, and there we’ll see how the boys adapt in the first few days we meet,” he added.
The coach did not say which positions he would look for reinforcements for at altitude. “They are already coming (high altitude players): Cristian Borja, the three goalkeepers, although Camilo is in Guadalajara he is constantly going to altitude in Mexico, Pachuca, Toluca, we are studying,” he insisted.
Camilo Vargas, Atlas goalkeeper.
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What is practically ruled out is that Colombia will put together two teams, one for the match against Bolivia and another to face Chile on October 15 in Barranquilla.
“No, I don’t think we’ll choose that option. I think the group will be united, then we’ll see who plays and who plays the second game, but the idea is for the group to be together,” he stressed.
Néstor Lorenzo’s response to Kun Agüero’s criticism for singing the goals against Argentina
Lorenzo also referred to the statements made by former Argentine footballer Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero, who criticised him for shouting the goals with which Colombia beat the world champion in Barranquilla.
“Do you think that’s okay? Yelling at another country’s goal is a strange feeling, isn’t it? I’m not a coach either, it’s work, obviously it’s work, but oh well, nothing,” said Agüero.
Kun Aguero
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“I didn’t hear it. I was told, but I didn’t get into it, it’s not worth it. “I never criticize what happens to us. He was a great player, he is a great person. I didn’t hear him directly, they told me, but it’s okay, I said,” the coach revealed.
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