:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/75MXHFAYFFBJVL4X32X6N5SPGQ.jpg)
Néstor Lorenzo, new coach of the Colombian National Team, gave his first list of called-up players for the friendly matches against Guatemala and Mexico. This list surprised with the presence of some figures that were not expected to be called, such as James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao.
Among the called-up players, European players predominate, as the coach wants to take advantage of the FIFA break to see some players who play in the 'Old Continent'. "It is the only FIFA break where we have the possibility to see how the European players are doing because afterwards they are not available. Colombian league players will be seen in the microcycles that will take place in October," he revealed.
In the goalkeeper position, the Argentine coach called up David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, and Álvaro Montero. In defense, he called Daniel Muñoz, Stefan Medina, Carlos Cuesta, Dávinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Andrés Llinás, Johan Mojica, and Frank Fabra. In midfield, Wilmar Barrios, Jefferson Lerma, Steven Alzate, Yairo Moreno, Matheus Uribe, James Rodriguez, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, and Jorge Carrascal are included.
In the forward position, there are Yaser Asprilla, Luis Diaz, Luis Sinisterra, Falcao Garcia, Rafael Santos Borre, Oscar Estupiñan, and Jhon Duran. Falcao's presence in this call-up is surprising, as he hasn't played many minutes for Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.
What will the Colombia National Team do after the announcement of the called-up players?
After the list was released, the players nominated by the Argentine professional will join the team throughout the weekend as they complete their commitments with their respective clubs. The idea of the coaching staff is to have the complete group by Monday or Tuesday next week.
Additionally, it is important to highlight that Lorenzo has already had a first contact with Colombian players and conducted a training session with goalkeepers (Álvaro Montero from Millonarios, William Cuesta from Tolima, Juan David Valencia from Águilas, and Kevin Mier from Nacional), under the supervision of Alejandro Otamendi, goalkeeping coach.
Furthermore, the former Melgar coach scheduled the development of two microcycles in October. "The first meeting of players and strategists will take place on Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, and Thursday 6; while the second microcycle will take place on Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, and Thursday 20, of the same month," it was announced in a recent statement by the FCF.
Colombia's friendly match schedule
- Colombia vs. Guatemala - Saturday, September 24 in New Jersey
- Colombia vs. Mexico - Tuesday, September 27 in Santa Clara
Receive our news bulletin: we will send you the best sports content, as Depor always does.