Cuadrado, the great doubt for the debut of the Colombian National Team

[Akrapovic]

In the friendly games he did not convince, but the coach trusts him and backed him.

Until recently, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado was one of the fijos, of the essentials of the Colombian National Team. One recited the payroll of Colombia and his last name was always there, along with Falcao, James, Ospina ... but now, at least at the beginning of the Carlos Queiroz era, he is not so fixed, first because he was not on the tour for Asia, in the first two games of Queiroz, and second because the coach wants it, needs it, accommodates him in another position that is not his. It is the great unknown to face Argentina tomorrow in the debut in the Copa America.

It is a high-risk match in which Colombia would normally bet on defensive care. But, in the two recent friendlies, against Panama and Peru, their game has turned to propose, in a 4-3-3 scheme, and both won.

In those games, Juan Guillermo had to play differently, as if he had a spring in his back that does not let him go so free to attack. Against Peru it was demanded, but it was not clear or fine in its passes, nor productive in the recovery. In previous games, if Cuadrado lost the ball, he had one or two backups, but not now. That is adapting, to play in a triangle in the midfield. In each friendly played 45 minutes; in the first one he was replaced by Jefferson Lerma, one who is a recuperator. In the other, by Edwin Cardona.

"I think the teacher proved that way because of the circumstances, because Mateus was sick and Cuéllar had just arrived," Cuadrado said after the game against Panama, without imagining that it was not circumstantial. After the game against Peru, he had to convince himself. Queiroz tried with him twice in that position, a hint of what he intends, although against Argentina, and having Lionel Messi in front, perhaps there are other types of precautions, so their ownership is not guaranteed.
The new Square

When Cuadrado is associated with Santiago Arias, when he gives a hand to James, when he throws a long pass to Falcao, his presence acquires weight. But now, in addition, he has to be very applied, close to the central midfielder, with covers, recovery of the ball, supply to the top; all that is part of the functions that have been commissioned.

In Salvador de Bahia, where Colombia finalizes the details for its debut, the recurring question is precisely that, Square, its function, its relevance for the game this Saturday. For now, Queiroz seems satisfied. "Juan is doing a fantastic job in a position that is not his. The verticality of his football and the skill he brings with his breakdowns and imbalances are very good, "he said after the game against Peru.

Cuadrado keeps his movements, his joy, his devilish career, but Cuadrado is another, he has to do other tasks to fit the Queiroz scheme. For now it is the great unknown for the owner. "In Juventus I made that position several times, trying to give the best of me, but I feel more comfortable playing on the sides because I think I can enjoy and exploit my characteristics," Cuadrado said in response to the question about his new role.