The union of all! Reinaldo Rueda’s request for Colombia

The Colombian National Team plays it all in the two qualifying dates. First stop against Bolivia in the Metropolitano, where winning is a must, if they want to continue dreaming of reaching Qatar 2022, where the road has sent them out of the qualifying zone.

These were the statements of coach Reinaldo Rueda, about the work that has been done, the mental part and the work of the leaders, on and off the field.

James Rodriguez and his status: he competed until two weeks ago in the Qatar Cup. He then did a week of recovery, due to discomfort. He made interesting games there. It is not easy, he has managed to do about four training units, he was one of those who arrived early, because he had no competition. The club did not want to release him earlier, only within the FIFA date limit. He has shown good attitude and expect good behavior.

Chance of seeing James and Quintero together: Juan Fernando has recovered, after several weeks of rehabilitation, making important minutes in River. It is a great alternative, recover it. Both have not been able to be together, due to the injury, Quintero who could not leave and the complications.

It is a possibility that may arise. The training is a matter of hours, but it is respectful, first I share it with the players. My task is to keep thinking, there is video analysis this afternoon, to make the complements and to see what the best community can offer us.

Luis Díaz and take advantage of his great moment: I met with him yesterday. That he assumes that he is part of the National Team, but it is not the solution. He is going through a great moment, his time in Porto and the Selection has allowed him to get to where he is. Responsibility must be shared, we are all, it is a community.

Both in the qualifiers and in the Copa América, the same naturalness. He has increased his script, concepts in the few weeks that he has been in Liverpool. May he assume with all naturalness and give us those joys. There are players who assimilate well, he, despite growing up and training here, has had difficulties. The rivals reference him very strongly, the referees do not protect him. He must know that he must share with everyone, with the environment, the responsibility for the attack. Barranquilla’s conditions are unique.

Mental aspect to face Bolivia: We are aware of where we are. The classification has always given us the teaching that everything is defined until the last. The important thing is conviction. We have one last chance to take advantage of two difficult games, we have to play the games. The desire to want to qualify is what will prevail, apart from what has been worked on.

Few training sessions: Today we trained with the entire squad, because we had a percentage of players who were in action on Sunday and arrived on Monday night. Yesterday they were in recovery and joined the competitive jobs. You have to review the tactical memory, that you have to make adjustments, improve. Achieve that efficiency, which has been absent in games.

What has marked all these days, visiting and local, has not been able to capture what has been tried with all the variants. The desire is to liberate that game, for it to be reflected effectively and to be able to achieve the points that allow us to continue with the illusion of qualifying. You have to trust how little was done today, from the team’s assembly. Of the men who gave a better answer between the training unit yesterday and today. It is always done thinking about improving, to play a good game and that we continue with the motivation to qualify.

Playing with a single holding midfielder: you have to play a smart game. Those who arrived are in a very good disposition. Everything has gone through the last instance, the completion, it is something that was insisted on, in the construction and surprise to be able to unbalance the rivals. That is the intention, what is wanted and for that he will go out on the field. At the front there is a dedicated rival, with a trace of work, which is why Farías means.

The group that comes is from a previous process, close to the Qualifiers. Therefore, we have to make a smart game. We can’t get messy or filled with anxiety.

Deal with group leaders about the match: that is the questioning when the results are not achieved. Leadership is not just shouting, putting on a show, in football everything is valid and there are specialists in all of this. There is the soccer leader, religious, charismatic. We have leaders like Cuadrado, Ospina, Falcao and Mina who have come. Each one with his sensitivity. In the case of James, what he has marked in recent years, despite the difficulties.

When results are not achieved, that is one of the arguments to question. I met with them this morning, to see what this means. That those who were in the previous World Cups have the chance to be there again, others that repeat and that the others are in their first World Cup.

They are young people who have undergone selection processes, with or without regularity. They have always offered themselves with passion, professionalism for the National Team. We must take advantage of this last day.

Attack factor, lack of goal and a change in the forward zone: We must improve, scoring chances have been generated, creating options at home and away. There is no such fineness and precision to achieve better results. Between yesterday and today, we managed to make the combinations. Those who have come with experience, like those, in the case of Morelos, with his club, but who have not had a good number of participations in the National Team. Everyone is with the best disposition to contribute

Ratification of his position, despite the results: it is the requirement of the position, we know the quality of the group, integral, that is going to be offered. It is not the case of my continuity, but the future of the players. Naturally, the tension and emotional burden before the entire country. Colleagues have supported me, we are their representatives. I want to take the opportunity to publicly thank Juan Cruz Real, to give him his words of support, after the difficult weeks after playing against Peru.

Almost all professional football colleagues have shown the conviction, the support, so that this ends as we all want. That gives strength, more in difficult times.

Work with the younger players: it is difficult, the conditions in their clubs are different. The Selection has a special component, like Barranquilla. For example, when I decided that Luis Díaz would start against Peru in June, he scored that day, then in the Copa América, he consolidated. We have seen the evolution of him in a year. There are others who have to give them more accompaniment, it is difficult for them. Carlos Cuesta acted as headline, they respond immediately. Others have to know how to take them with friendlies or matches. Training is one thing.

I was also young, we always want and believe that we are the solution, to have more opportunities. You have to manage it with the consolidated and the young people of the National Team.

Message to the fans in Barranquilla: That is the work of you the media, those who manage and lead opinion. To help us, to join us. We have to be more united than ever, to continue with that illusion and hope of qualifying.

Mental work and tension in the Qualifiers: it is difficult, we know that it is a great responsibility, that we have in front of the country and everything that we represent. It is not easy, the idea is to talk with the players, aware that there is a tension in everyone, as a coaching staff and as players. You have to release that, have confidence, believe in the group.

Then there are the specific works, to strengthen that. It is not easy, we thought of consulting outsiders who have been generous in offering themselves. We all know about the protocol, the bubble. The PCR results were negative. Contacts that are not within the payroll are difficult. It is something that we are handling internally, the entire coaching staff and others are surrounding the players.

As a generation, for what they have achieved in the National Team. Perhaps the moment is not the best for some in their clubs. The ideal is for Colombia to present this team in Qatar, that was the invitation I made to them the first day, to dream. We are not going to give up, until the last second, that there are strong teams that have qualified with difficulties, be it the playoffs.

Case of Italy, Portugal, who have difficulties to reach the World Cup. This Selection with references, of route, we have had the pothole. But the ideal is the conviction and character to face difficulties, that we put our chest to the breeze.