Colombia opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday, although coach Nestor Lorenzo said the vocal presence of a large Colombian contingent in the stands “emotionally weighed” on his players.
His side moved top of Group K with the win in Mexico City’s famous Azteca stadium, with Portugal and DR Congo drawing 1-1 earlier in the day.
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Lorenzo’s outfit were in control for much of the match after Daniel Munoz scored the opener, but were forced to work harder than initially expected as Uzbekistan fought back and equalised, before star man Luis Diaz put Colombia back in front and substitute Jaminton Campaz scored in added time.
Lorenzo told reporters later: “It is a beautiful energy, but emotionally it weighed on some of the players.
“I think it had to do with the emotional burden of the first game and also with the responsibility of being (match) favourites.”
The Argentine manager said the atmosphere created by a largely Colombian crowd at the Azteca added to the occasion, while his team also struggled to maintain its first-half level after Uzbekistan began playing more directly after the break.
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He added: “We had a very good first half. Then they started playing a more direct game and forced us deeper. It became a very physical match.
“In the first half we could have built a bigger advantage. We lacked finishing. We keep working on that constantly.”
Colombia dominated much of the game but were given a scare as Uzbekistan equalised (AP)
Lorenzo said his players became overly focused on retaining possession instead of taking risks in attacking areas.
“Sometimes there was too much possession and too much fear of losing the ball,” he said. “Nobody was finishing the moves.”
The coach was also asked about captain James Rodriguez, who struggled to impose himself against Uzbekistan’s compact defensive shape.
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He said: “It wasn’t his best match, but he didn’t have a bad game. They closed the spaces where James usually operates. He wasn’t the protagonist, but in possession he gave us a lot.”
Colombia next face DR Congo in Guadalajara as they seek to move closer to securing a place in the knockout stage and strengthen their grip on top spot in Group K.
