Colombia got their Copa America campaign up and running with a victory against Ecuador on Group B matchday 1. Reinaldo Rueda’s team claimed a 1-0 victory courtesy of an Edwin Cardona goal.
Now, Colombia, who are the second-best side in Group B behind Brazil, face off with Venezuela on matchday 2.
📸 🙌🏼⚽Preparándonos para el partido 🆚 🇻🇪 #VamosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/WxVpwDEkTD— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) June 16, 2021
📸 🙌🏼⚽Preparándonos para el partido 🆚 🇻🇪 #VamosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/WxVpwDEkTD
Venezuela’s first match in the group wasn’t as successful as Colombia’s. Coach Jose Peseiro watched the team lose 3-0 to Brazil.
La Vinotinto tallied a mere 38% possession and three shots during the game. Just prior to the game’s kick off, Peseiro was rocked with the announcement that 12 players and staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.
Star striker Josef Martinez was one of those 12 individuals. The group are now self-isolating in the team’s hotel.
The loss of key players from positions all over the pitch, could lead to Venezuela struggling mightily at the tournament. Colombia are surely to be too strong for La Vinotinto.
Colombia have a brilliant all-time record against Venezuela. The teams first played in 1938 with Venezuela winning 2-1. Since then, Colombia have not looked back, posting a record of 25W-16D-7L.
The teams most recently played in World Cup qualifying in October 2020. Colombia thrashed Venezuela 3-0.
Rueda has a solid defensive pairing at the back with Everton’s Yerry Mina playing next to Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Davinson Sanchez.
The duo was excellent versus Ecuador. Despite the wealth of attacking options at Rueda’s disposal, the team scored just once in the opener versus Ecuador.
Duvan Zapata nor Luis Muriel started the game. Only Zapata got on for the team. Rueda could mix things up starting with the Atalanta pair.
With so much football to be played in a short span of time, Rueda could have chosen to rest the strikers with more difficult games coming up.
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is also in the team and could play a role in attack. Rueda is likely to start winger Juan Cuadrado on the right side once more.
Meanwhile, Cardona, who scored the team’s goal versus Ecuador, should retain his place on the left wing.
Peseiro’s playing decisions will be heavily influenced by which players are available. Key midfielders Tomas Rincon and Romulo Otero tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the game.
Manchester City’s Yangel Herrera, who has been on loan at a number of clubs in recent seasons, is now fit to play.
Venezuela were underdogs even before 12 players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Colombia should win for the second time in as many group stage matches to keep the pressure on Brazil.
Expect Colombia to win to nil with Venezuela struggling for the full 90 minutes.