Colombia Coach: Diaz is a complete forward; Messi is always the best on the field

Colombia coach Lorenzo revealed in the pre-match press conference against DR Congo that they need to be wary of counter-attacks from two strikers after the opponent switched to a 532 formation, while praising Luis Díaz for evolving into a versatile forward.

Given the performance in the World Cup and the situation of DR Congo, do you plan to stick with the previous tactics, or will you consider some adjustments?

This is indeed related to the current trend of the World Cup – many goals are scored, so we need to prevent conceding and also try to score more. The Congolese tactics we studied before changed a lot; they used a 5-3-2 formation against Denmark and Portugal.

That's a team with two strong strikers, and we must avoid being counter-attacked by them. This is what we are practicing now. As for the starting lineup, I haven't told the players yet. We believe we must maintain a certain style, and we have always stuck to this path.

Besides the formation, what changes will there be in the team's technical operations based on the tactical differences between Uzbekistan and DR Congo?

Of course, we have tactical arrangements for offense, aiming to maximize the players' strengths; and tactical arrangements for defense, which require us to adapt to the opponent's attacking methods. This is the prediction and adjustment we need to make.

You are a coach who rarely makes significant changes to the team, with very few adjustments between matches, yet the opponents are completely different. What strengths have you found in this team that allow you to stick to the basic framework?

I think it's the versatility of our players. We can handle different situations, for example, we have played against teams with two strikers like Congo, and also against systems with four defenders plus a free man, or a three-center-back system.

We played with three center-backs in the qualifiers in Ecuador. Midfielders sometimes need to press high, and sometimes need to drop back a bit to solidify the defensive structure. Wingers can play as full-backs or wing-backs, or even push forward from midfield. So, in this sense, even if we make substitutions in the same game, we can adapt with the same group of people.

Regarding how to deal with the aerial advantage that these African teams usually possess?

Actually, the key is for us to respect our own playing style. So far, aerial balls haven't caused us too much trouble. Even players who are not tall enough defend aerial balls very well; they engage in challenges, so we have no problem in this regard. We will not specifically send tall players to defend set pieces; that is not our style.

Why do you think there are so many goals in this World Cup?

Firstly, because there is an extremely high technical level, bringing together the best players in the world. Everything we see in the Champions League or Copa Libertadores, the best players in these competitions are gathered here today, not to mention teams from Asia and Africa, whose federations and teams have made huge progress. So it's not surprising, plus offensive players are much more protected now than two or three decades ago when rougher fouls and dense defenses were allowed. Nowadays, any team that defends well and can execute efficient counter-attacks can play a good game. So I think from this perspective, the games are very enjoyable to watch.

Regarding the excellent performance of Luis Díaz, we are witnessing one of the best left-wingers in the world. Is it possible for him to play more centrally, cutting into the box diagonally, to form combinations and chemistry with teammates?

It's not about how many times he appears, but how he completes the attack. Muñoz's breakthrough that day was a pass from Luis Díaz in the middle like a midfielder, and the second goal was also scored by Luis Díaz from the middle.

So I think, no matter where he starts or temporarily appears, he is used to receiving the ball on the wing, but ultimately a lot of attacks are completed by him from the inside . This gives the team versatility, allowing us to launch attacks from different areas, which is important. Luis is becoming a versatile forward.

To what extent do these 3 minutes of hydration breaks change your and the team's work at the tactical and strategic level?

I think there's enough time to drink water, and also to have a brief technical discussion, advising the lads to make some adjustments based on the situation on the field, or to stick to an area where we have an advantage.

The problem is that the opponent is also watching and making corrections, and sometimes after the break, the situation changes slightly, the opponent corrects their problems, leading to a change in the game's momentum, such as a team's dominance shifting to another team, or the game becoming more balanced. I don't think this is a bad thing for coaches, but as many people say, and I agree, it ultimately turns into four different games.

I would like to ask if you are considering any modifications or changes to tomorrow's starting lineup?

Yes, we always consider the possibility of adjustments. We always try to make decisions based on the team's performance evaluation, strategic considerations against the opponent, and the individual characteristics of the players. So we will have variables until the last moment because the performance levels of the players in the squad are very close.

Have you considered bringing Richard Ríos back to the midfield, given his height could balance the midfield, or is it also a recognition of Gustavo Puerta's brilliant performance against Uzbekistan?

These are all determined by specific situations, and everyone is doing well. Ríos is ready and available at any time, with a great attitude, ready to come on and contribute.

How do you deal with mistakes and make improvements after a victory, especially after the excessive excitement brought by the debut and the result, how do you manage this tension?

We always review the previous game between the first and third day after the match. Here, because of the tight schedule, with a 6-day gap between matches, sometimes we have to do it earlier. Before we start talking about Congo, we will first summarize the Uzbekistan game with videos and game clips, including what we did right and the mistakes we might have made. This is our coaching staff's habit, and we have always done it this way.

Sometimes lack of concentration does lead to mistakes. The pressure of the obligation to win, that feeling of desperation, often makes you lose focus. Sometimes you have to keep a cool head and analyze what qualities made the team perform that way.

What did Congo's match against Portugal tactically show you? How to break Congo's tactical barrier?

Just like against Uzbekistan, that was also a very tactical team, with five defenders, four midfielders, and one striker, very difficult to deal with. I always tell the players that we must open up paths. Opening up paths means finding space between the lines of defense, and occupying the gaps left when the opponent presses. We need to execute various combinations and plays to get into shooting and finishing positions.

This Congolese team will also come out to press. Sometimes they push their defensive line higher, and perhaps this is the space Colombia can exploit, using fast and creative players like Luis Díaz.

Yes, hopefully we can find space, whether from the inside, behind, or on the flanks. Hopefully, we can find space that allows us to get shots off.

Colombia's political situation has been quite divided over the past week or so. Does a football team have a responsibility to unite the country, or does that put too much pressure on the players?

I don't think so. The national team receives support from all over the country. The effort the lads put in on the field comes from the heart, and this can be transmitted, and we are always grateful to those who support the national team so much.

Every time the Colombian national team plays, receiving support and feeling the enthusiasm of the Colombian people moves us deeply. So, in this sense, the national team indeed plays a unifying role in all aspects.

Colombia always enters the World Cup with huge expectations, but almost always disappoints. Do you think this time will be different?

No, I hope this time it won't be disappointing, I hope this time it will be different. I hope we can reach the final days of the World Cup step by step. The competition is very balanced. We will play every game as if it were a final.

I want to talk about the historic event that happened today – Messi becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. Does it surprise you at this age on the World Cup stage?

No, I'm not surprised at all. When someone asked me to vote for the world's best player for a European magazine, I chose Messi. They told me: "No, Messi is not on the list of nominees, not in contention." I said: "How could he not be? As long as Messi steps onto the field, he is one of the best, or rather, the best." So I am not surprised at all.

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