Lorenzo: “We need the best version to beat the champion”
A choice that excites, inspires and concerns the entire country. Colombia has rebelled against the past and embraced the best of its history to present and recognize itself as different.. Dance, stomp, dribble and socialize. Uprising CommanderNestor Lorenzo, an Argentine who has managed to interpret the identity of Colombian football like few others.
Lorenzo promised to fight ball for ball, and in the match against Uruguay he not only secured his place in the final, but also took the national team to a new competitive level. Colombia plays and fights according to the mystique and hierarchy of its football. Argentina is ahead with its stars on the shirt and on the field. A special atmosphere, a gift, so to speak.
True to his calm and unostentatious style, Lorenzo answered questions from journalists before the final. To his left is another main character, Juan Fernando Quintero.
James is one of the best in this tournament.“James had a very good America’s Cup. We were lucky that he was okay, that he took over the team, and that the team supported him and brought him to this game. He is without a doubt one of the best in the Cup, I don’t know if he is the worst, but I hope he will top it off tomorrow with a very good game.”
Did Argentina have a chance to reach the final?In all games there are successes and mistakes, this is the part that can be improved, but they did not in any way lead Argentina to the final. He was a fair winner of the matches. I am not here to evaluate the referees, because I do not see everything and I do not dwell on specific mistakes. I believe that the Brazilian referee will play a great game and the one who plays the best will win.”
Recover from adversity. “I think the team is continuing its growth process. We believe that overcoming obstacles means growth. We had games with situations like this that forced us to reinvent ourselves, and the team responded. We are in a good moment, the team has room to improve, and we hope to show a great game tomorrow and take a big step forward.”
Shakira’s show will last 25 minutes.“I hope you like it, Shakira is a great artist. When the rules change a priori, it is for both teams, the field is bad for both, the rules, the minutes are the same for both. I can’t say whether it is good or bad, who benefits from it. I think it should be those 15 minutes that comply with the regulations. When we came out at the 16th minute, we were penalized, and now the show is on, and we can come out at the 20th or 25th minute because of the impact on the physique of the players, who can catch a cold. You know what these minutes are worth. But it concerns both of us, that’s all, today I learned that it is so.”
Lorenzo awaits Richard Rios and praises Scaloni
Richard Rios’ injury and how much the final’s outcome could affect his project. “Rios continues to develop well, he has become a little better. Tomorrow we will decide (…) It means a lot in terms of achieving an achievement, but it means nothing in terms of growth and the path to the World Cup, which was the goal. When I signed the contract, the goal was to go to the World Cup. Then we are in the final, and it would be great to win.”
The process of waiting for the finale. “These are teams that offer and want to play. Argentina are dangerous even if they don’t have the ball. They are two very similar teams: Argentina with a longer process and us with hunger.”
The face of Lionel Scaloni, one of his managers, in 2006. “It’s a very specific situation. I remember going to the West Ham trial and he invited me to eat at a Colombian restaurant. I reminded him about it the other day at a draw. Jose sent me to meet him and he, a midfielder who could play on the right wing, played on the left wing that day and led the game. I said to Jose: ‘This guy plays everything, he’s smart, he adapts’. I’m very happy for Mascherano, Aimar, Samuel and Ayala, who is close to him. They are great people and they do their job well. It’s satisfying that they are doing well, I’m waiting until today (laughs).”
“My mom is an icon in the area… I hope we bring joy to Louis”
His mother is in Argentina“My mother Luisa is 87 years old. We took three buses to Lanus or Argentinos Juniors and she was always on the bench, on the futsal field. She is an icon in the neighborhood and she didn’t tell me they were going. Give her a note. It made the whole neighborhood cry with emotion, and so did I. Eternal gratitude, but she went to work on the street so I could go play. Each of them has a similar story and I hope we make Luisa happy.”
Message to Colombians“There is no happier and more fanatical fan. We would like it if reaching the final was not a surprise, not a prize from heaven, not to make you wait so long. It is not easy to always be on top. The group is good, there is a future. I hope it lasts and continues to grow. Let them celebrate the same, but do not be surprised to reach this point.”
The role of the coach“I always emphasize the work of the player. You have an idea, but I don’t think it’s that important. The credit goes to the players and it’s very high. It’s always been like that for me. The press has to give a name to the group, and they give it the title of coach, but it could be called the Columbia of Juanfer, James or any other player.”
The meaning of meeting your country in the final
How to beat Argentina, is the present enough? “We need to be the best version of Columbine to beat the champion of everything. If we hadn’t given up, we wouldn’t be here. To beat Argentina, you need to have the best version of each of them and multiply them.”
The Argentine is leading in Colombia and will face Argentina in the final. “They love, love and work for the colors of Argentina, but I spent 7 years with Jose in this great team and in this great country. I have many Colombian friends, I have learned to feel many situations as a Colombian. This is the job I dream of: to work for the development of Colombian football. We separate the homeland from football. So we are fully convinced that this is the right way.”
Why was Colombia able to beat Argentina? “The reason is that we are not satisfied. The group is hungry. I said that we have to provide the best version of the team to beat Argentina, but we are confident that we can do it.”
“I had Jose Pekerman as a teacher (…) I learned a lot from him”
Bilardo and Pekerman. “It’s gratitude. I had very good teachers at the Riachuelo club with Osvaldo Zabala, then at Argentinos (…) Then I had Bilardo, I had great teachers. I remember something about each one, I always liked to learn. I had Bilardo from the age of 18, it was 7 years of full training day after day. They were two somewhat antagonistic styles, for the Argentines it was tiki-tiki, the extraction of peace. Bilardo played a more tactical football, so the antagonism helped me a lot. He played two different systems: one at the club, one with the national team.
“Later, I had Jose (Pekerman) as a teacher, a coach, and I was very grateful to him for bringing me to the Argentina national team, and then to Colombia, to Mexico. We shared a lot, and I learned a lot from him.”
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