Gustavo Alfaro reveals how Costa Rica will have to play against Colombia

Costa Rica debuted in the 2024 Copa América against Brazil, getting a good result after a goalless draw. The second test of the Central American team will be this Friday against Colombia, in a key match for the aspirations of the Ticos in this continental tournament.

The coach of the Costa Rican team, Gustavo Alfaro, is clear about the system that his players must employ if they want to get a positive result against the coffee growers in Phoenix.

For the Argentine strategist, taking over the midfield against Colombia will be very important. “The key to the game is always how we position the center of the field. When the chances are more even, for me, whoever wins in the center of the field, he plays the game where he wants,” said Gustavo Alfaro in the preview of the match against Colombia.

Against Brazil Alfaro lined up five at the back, four midfielders and only one forward. This system allowed him to put together two very close blocks in order to prevent the Brazilians from reaching the goal.

“We took out a winger to put in an internal midfielder and that at some point conspired against the team’s offensive possibilities,” Alfaro analyzed at the time about the match against Brazil.

It is possible that against Colombia they will come out with a similar scheme to try to have more presence in the center of the field. A point that for the experienced coach will be key in this match.

Luis Díaz, Alfaro’s great concern

Although Colombia is not Brazil, the coffee team has great world-class figures and in a press conference Alfaro himself confessed which will be the Colombian player who can do the most damage to them and therefore the one of greatest concern.

That player is Liverpool winger Luis Díaz. Who with his speed and dribble has made more than one defender tremble in the Qualifiers and in his debut in the Copa América.

“Now we are going to face Luis Díaz, one of the best wingers in the world. “That in one-on-one is unbalanced, but Luis Díaz also plays based on Arias, James Rodríguez, based on a structure that works with him,” explained the Argentine coach.

Colombia will seek against Costa Rica to seal its pass to the next round of the Copa América. But in front of them they will have a team that, based on what they demonstrated against Brazil, will not give an inch of advantage in this tournament.

Keep reading:
· Patrick Sequeira: the goalkeeper who plays in the third division was a hero in Brazil vs. Costa Rica
· Concacaf remains firm in the fight against Conmebol in the Copa América
· Endrick surpasses Pelé’s historical record in Brazil’s equality against Costa Rica in the Copa América