Paraguay seeking the classification against leaders Colombia

Classified to the quarterfinals as the first of Group B, Colombia will be judge of Paraguay, its rival in turn, Qatar and Argentina, in the condemning last date of the key in the CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019 on Sunday 23 June.

Carlos Queiroz’s cafeteros with two solid victories against the Albiceleste (2-0) and the World Cup-2022 hosts (1-0) won the zone and leaving the other teams in need of a victory.

The date will be played simultaneously from 16H00 local time in Salvador (northeast), where Colombia and Paraguay will meet, and in Porto Alegre (south), stage for Argentina-Qatar.

Colombia leads the key with 6 points followed by Paraguay with 2, while the Asian champion is third with 1, and Argentina is last, with 1 point, but with lower balance of goals (-1 against -2).

The Albirroja’s ties against Qatar (2-2) and Argentina (1-1) left them almost eliminated, but they still have in their hands the possibility of reaching the quarterfinals. The problem is that they must defeat Colombia, who look unstoppable.

– Rotations –

Colombia’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz announced rotations in the formation for the match against Paraguay.

«We’re better than we were a few days ago, but we’re a long way from the football we want to play. There are many things to improve, and against Paraguay we have a good opportunity to continue growing», said the TD.

«Paraguay is a well-organized team, with a motivation for tomorrow and that needs to win to move forward», said Queiroz of the Guaraní team led by Argentina’s Eduardo Berizzo.

Defender Dávinson Sánchez, Wilmar Barrios, Cuadrado and Mateus Uribe, as well as Falcao and Zapata, would be on Queiroz’s agenda to rest against La Albirroja.

The turn to act would then be for central defender Cristian Zapata, midfielders Edwin Cardona, Gustavo Cuellar and Jefferson Lerma, and winger Luis Diaz.

– To win, only to win –

Ties against Qatar (2-2) and Argentina (1-1) have Paraguay on edge. Both games began with wins, but unforgivable blinks were allowed with the rope around his neck.

Coach Eduardo Berizzo expressed his agreement with La Albirroja’s performance against La Albiceleste and promised a Paraguay «decided by victory» against the Cafeteros to seek classification to the next phase.

«The intention is that the rival feels and plays uncomfortable. Paraguay is determined to win. We have to press as high as possible, and that’s what we’ll try to work on these days,» said Toto.

Probable line-ups:

Colombia: Camilo Vargas – Stefan Medina, Yerry Mina, Cristian Zapata, William Tesillo – Gustavo Cuellar, Edwin Cardona, Jefferson Lerma – James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Roger Martínez.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz.

Paraguay: Roberto Fernández – Iván Piris, Gustavo Gómez, Junior Alonso, Santiago Arzamendia – Rodrigo Rojas, Richard Sánchez, Matís Rojas – Derlis Gonzalez, Federico Santander and Miguel Almirón.
Coach: Eduardo Berizzo.

Referee: Víctor Carrillo (PER).