Wilmar Barrios was one of Colombia’s standouts in the season that just ended. Champion with Zenit in Russia, in addition to being a starter in much of the championship. Against Peru, he entered for the second half. The midfielder spoke prior to Tuesday’s game against Argentina, about the rival’s virtues, as well as how vital concentration will be.
He added about the importance of being in full condition, ready for the indications of Reinaldo Rueda.
On Argentina, in defense and attack: “It is a team that is good, we know important letters that can be raised in Barranquilla. We know the quality and its conditions, we have to know how we are going to plan from start to finish, how to cover and block spaces, especially those passes between the lines. Their game starts from the steering wheels, we must be careful. You have to attack the space that they leave to do harm ”.
Understanding with Cuéllar, Uribe and ownership: “The teacher knows how to move his chips, we are here to be at 100, if he needs any of us. The most important thing is the selection. Happy with the result in Peru, now, each one is preparing for the match against Argentina, it is difficult, but we have to look for victory. Whoever gets it, do it in the best way, whoever doesn’t, support it from the outside ”.
He added “We are all trained to play, the game against Peru was important. It gives us confidence. What happened with Cuellar was excellent, we are happy when a player of that quality represents us, we are all available to the teacher, he chooses who can be important. From training, we prepare. “
Each player’s moment: “Whoever gets it, the way they do it will be important. Everyone in the National Team is ready in case the teacher needs it, at the start, at minute 80. You have to be prepared.”
Strengths of Argentina: “They have important players, they seek to generate play. The midfield tries to filter balls. You have to be focused to cut and not associate for a long time. From the approach of the teacher, you have to be ready.”
About Messi: “As long as we are intermixed, a short team and without spaces, it will be complicated, not only individually. What we do collectively from defense and attack.”
“You have to be careful with Argentina, regardless of the quality of Messi. They have players to unbalance the game. We think about that, but also about how to plan the game and how to hurt them.”
About Reinaldo Rueda: “Since the teacher arrived, he showed self-love, a sense of belonging. In the National Team you have to give 300%, that Reinaldo has shown us. The confidence he has had in each one of us and that we can show the best football in the Selection”.
Rotation of the team and the half of the court: “The rival we face is difficult, we are at home, we must seek victory. The teacher will know how to approach us, depending on what he wants from each one of us. The group is in harmony and optimism, we must ratify what has been done in Peru at home.
Keys to beat Argentina: “Short team, concentration in the 90s, not giving anything away. If we give spaces, they can make a difference for us. Communication and expressing our football.”
Argentina offensive zone: “They seek to attack free space, they are intelligent, they do not divide the ball. You have to be close to each other, with communication, surveillance, be close to them. Put into practice what the teacher has.”
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