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They say the words ‘identity’ and ‘DNA’ and their mouths fill. Now, as they are looking for the replacement of Carlos Queiroz in the technical direction of the Colombian National Team, they insist that they must hire a coach who respects ‘the identity’ and the ‘DNA’ of Colombian soccer.
(You may be interested: This is the life of José Pékerman after his departure from the National Team)
It is said that this is a precious, offensive football, with rich technique and persistent possession of the ball … Rather, like Brazil from the 70s or the Guardiola’s Barcelona!
But, first: does that ‘identity’ exist, that ‘DNA’ of Colombian soccer? And secondly: if it exists, do we have to insist on that?
There is a tendency to think that ‘the identity of Colombian football’ is the way the magnificent Colombian National Team played, which qualified for the World Cup in Italy 90 and the United States 1994 directed by Francisco Maturana, the man who split the history of our football; before and after him.
However, that great team started from a defensive tactical principle (I repeat that, de-fen-si-vo) and a strategic foundation: to have the ball as long as possible. Consequently, if that is understood as ‘the identity of Colombian football’, well, then, it is to defend oneself with the ball. And when he didn’t have the ball, the greatest tool was the pressure on his sides, to prevent them from lifting centers to the area.
(Also read: After leaving the National Team, Carlos Queiroz would already have a new offer)
And how did he attack? In that defensive possession of the ball, the famous ‘touch-touch’ was expected to open the rival in his attempt to recover the ball and when leaving spaces he attacked by surprise, generally, with the sensational passes of Valderrama, Rincón’s change of pace, and the speed and definition of Asprilla or Valencia or Valencian. That is why the opposite goal was rarely reached and the “much touch-touch and nothing of that” became famous: it was played for the sides, waiting for an error from the opponent. A “football of attrition and to win 1-0 or 2-1”, it was stated. In two strokes, that was Maturana’s great revolution. They call that ‘the identity’, the ‘DNA’ of Creole football.
It has been forgotten that the great sin of that fantastic Maturana National Team was that when the story was believed and it went on the offensive and was filled with the arrogance that is called for today to be the so-called world champion, between Romania and the USA. eliminated in the first round of 1994 World Cup. As memory is selective, it is not remembered that the glorious 5-0 against Argentina was five counterattacks …
After the 1998 World Cup, led by ‘Bolillo’ Gomez, with another elimination in the first round under those same principles and general foundations, Colombia did not qualify for three consecutive World Cups, it failed for 16 years, trying to maintain that same ‘identity’, that same ‘DNA’ of the game.
Pékerman’s phenomenal Colombian National Team played differently. He did not have that ‘identity’, that ‘DNA’. Most of his best games were without having more possession of the ball and he scored many goals on fast counter-attacks in bursts. It was more vertical, with less ball handling. Goal position was reached in far fewer touches and more kicked at goal. The greatest World Cup Colombia of all time was contrary to that alleged ‘identity’, that alleged ‘DNA’.
(Also read: At last: figure of the National Team sent a message to Carlos Queiroz)
In the local league you don’t play with that famous ‘identity’, with that famous ‘DNA’.
Look at the current semifinalists: Santa Fe doesn’t play that. Equity, either. America tries to pressure the rival field and Junior stabilizes by his order behind.
In that he is absolutely right Juan Carlos Osorio, who days before being fired from Nacional stated: “In the Colombian League, a high percentage of goals are made in transitions from defense to attack. We are selling an idea of gaming identity that does not exist, that is not real. People are being deceived when they say that the identity of our football is one when playing something else, “he said in Connection, from Win Sports. That is, it is expected and counterattacks regardless of the possession of the ball or the sequence of passes or the volume of the game.
That such ‘identity’ of Colombian football does not exist …
GABRIEL MELUK
Sports Editor
@MelukLeCuenta
