REVIEW: Colombia v Greece – the perfect start for El Tricolor
Colombia began their World Cup campaign on familiar South American soil, but the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao and how they will cope without him has been the major talking point. With their first fixture against Greece, one of the most defensive minded teams in the tournament, you always wondered if Colombia could find a way to break down the hoplite-like banks of Greek defenders.
El Tricolor in the end got the job done, but it was not without concern. The final score of 3-0 was perhaps a little flattering, as the Greeks were far more open in their play with Colombia happy to sit back and counter attack from the off. Despite question marks with their wing-backs in defense, Colombia looked excellent in the final third. But as they say; to get out of the group you have to score, but to in the World Cup, you have to defend. Colombia will have to look to their defense in the long run surely if they are to hold true to their title of dark-horse. Here is our review.
"Starting XI’sColombia: David Ospina; Pablo Armero, Mario Yepes, Cristian Zapata, Juan Camilio Zuniga; Abel Aguilar, Carlos Sanchez; Juan Cuadrado, James Rodriguez, Victor Ibarbo; Teofilo GutierrezGreece: Orestis Karnezis, Jose Cholevas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Vasilis Torosidis, Kostas Manolas, Giannis Maniatis; Kostas Katsouranis; Giorgos Samaras; Dimitris Salpingidis; Panagiotis Kone; Theofanis Gekas"
First Half
The first-half began as you’d expect. Colombia with the lions share of the possession, Greece defending with nine behind the ball and being physical in their attempts to gain possession. But Colombia struck early though Pablo Armero, after excellent movement in the box from Cuadrado and Rodriguez found him free at the back post to slot home in the 5th minute. The goal woke the Greek’s up a little as they started to try to find a way back into the match, and rightfully so. It was never in the cards for the Greeks to plan to go down so early, but this certainly played into Colombia’s hands.
With Greece now putting one foot forward in the match, Colombia struggled a little bit to regain large amounts of the possession and this is where the Greek’s physical style came to the fore. It was quite noticeable that Colombia’s initial play in the match suffered dramatically after Greece asserted themselves, and that is something that they must take note of moving forward in the tournament. Never the less, Greece as firmly in the match now, and a header from Kostas Manolas flashed just wide after a good bit of set-piece service (their specialty) – warning shots across the Colombian bow.
As Greece continued to assert themselves, Colombia shaped up to look to counter and use the pace of their attacking players to their advantage. The 44th minute nearly saw Greece draw level after a ricocheting ball in the box fell to the foot of Kone who’s bending effort with pace was just palmed away by the sprawling Ospina. The teams would go into the dressing room with the score line the same, but the match as far more open than first anticipated and Greece looked as threatening going forward as Los Cafeteros.
Second Half
The early stages of the second half remained the status quo, and it saw James Rodriguez burst to the top of the box and let fly at goal after Colombia did well to quickly break through him – his effort was saved by Karnezis however. The 56th minute saw Greece make their first change – Giannis Fetfatzidis came on for Salpingidis, offering more pace, technical ability and directness. But within seconds, Rodriguez found Teofilo Gutierrez in the box who finished from the corner to put Colombia up 2-0 and looking far more comfortable.
Greece would respond well, and Gekas was so unlucky to not apply a finish to a cross from Torosidis after he did so well to get free on the end-line. That action would be Gekas’ last however, and the expected appearance of Mitroglou came to being at his expense in the 63rd minute- Greece were truly going for it now. A surprising sub from Colombia on 68minutes saw Aguilar removed and Alexander Mejia brought on, despite the yellow card being carried by Sanchez. A further change on 73min saw the impressive Armero taken off for Santiago Arias, as Armero was liable to be potentially caught up field at a crucial stage in the match. Their third and final change would come on 75min and see the impressive Gutierrez removed for the highly-touted Jackson Martinez. Teo was impressive, but Martinez has loads more pace and fit the bill for the final stages of the match as his pace would look to exploit the Greeks who continued to press.
The final roll of the dice by Greece saw veteran midfielder Giorgos Karagounis come on for the impressive Kone – an attacking player off for a midfield bulldog, hoping to give the Greeks just that little bit extra in midfield to assert themselves late on as they continued to try to find a goal. Torosidis yet again proved vital for Greece going forward, and in the 85th minute the right back found Samaras at the top of the box, but his shot flashed just wide of the far post. An impressive attacking display by him was one of the few bright spots going forwards for the Greeks all match, other than Kone and Samaras. Just when you thought Greece would get out at 2-0, a storming run into the box by Cuadrado and his flick on to Rodriguez saw his curled effort find the far post. 3-0 Colombia and the match was a done deal for the South Americans.
Man of the Match
James Rodriguez: J-Rod certainly did not disappoint given the hype surrounding him. He was one of the most highly-coveted attacking players in Europe two summers ago, and rightfully so. A goal, an assist and a real danger on set-pieces as well as with the ball at his feet in the final third. With Falcao out, he is Colombia’s talisman now, and so far, he looks befitting of that challenge.
"Player ratings for ColombiaOspina – 7.0: Made a brilliant save on Kone in the first half and was all around very good in his area in dealing with crosses. Solid all around displayArmero – 7.0: He was very good going forward and got himself a goal, but at times left a little too much space behind him. Against better sides, that may prove costly.Yepes – 7.5: A complete rock at the back today, he certainly turned the clock back in the processZapata – 6.5: Less effective than Yepes and he was certainly caught a few times, but he was decent overall.Zuniga – 6.0: Was caught out of position far more than Armero and usually dealt with that by fouling his opponent – he must do better.Aguilar – 7.0: Was solid in the center of the park throughout – not much more to say about him.Sanchez – 6.5: Booked for too many fouls and looked to get caught out a few times as well – Guarin may be a better option.Cuadrado – 7.5: Was a menace down his flank from start to finish, always looking to cut in and provide. Assisted on Rodriguez’s goal as well – he was good today.Rodriguez – 8.0: The man of the match for me, despite Yepes being so good at the back. A goal, an assist and always looked threatening in the final third.Ibarbo – 7.0: His work rate on his flank was excellent but his final product wasn’t always the best. He still did well regardless and he certainly will improve.Gutierrez – 7.0: Got himself on the scoresheet for Colombia’s second and was a general menace in the box all match long, but his lack of pace limited his effectiveness.Mejia – 6.0: Came on but didn’t really do much with his time. Was surprised that Guarin was not called upon today instead.Arias – 6.0: Like Mejia, he came on with 20minutes remaining. Was decent but not really called on to do all that much, which isn’t a bad thing.Martinez – 6.0: Replaced Gutierrez but didn’t have enough time to settle into the match. He struggles for the national team despite his club form, so he will have to take his chances well.Player ratings for GreeceKarnezis – 6.0: He was okay but not much better. Was very suspect on set-pieces and did not command his box sufficiently enough.Cholevas – 7.0: He was very solid all match long in defense but did not get forward as much as he is used to. But still, he as good.Sokratis – 7.0: His time in the Bundesliga came to the fore today, and he was solid all around.Torosidis – 7.5: Absolutely amazing going forward for Greece. So often he as the creative spark for them in the final third – unlucky to not get an assist.Manolas – 6.5: The young center-back making his first World Cup appearance and he was okay, but still has a thing or two to learn.Maniatis – 6.5: Was okay but not great, and certainly struggles with Colombia’s movement in the final third.Katsouranis – 6.5: Much the same as Maniatis, they did well physically to assert themselves, but struggled with Colombia’s movement and pace.Samaras – 7.5: On the opposite flank from Torosidis’ runs, Samaras did an excellent job threatening the rear of Colombia with invention and direct play – he was very good.Salpingidis – 6.5: Had one or two moments where he got himself into good areas, but he was not nearly as effective as the Greeks were hoping.Kone – 7.5: The third Greek that was so good going forward, he created a host of chances both for himself and his teammates. He will be key in their remaining two matches.Gekas – 6.5: Had a good chance or two, but his age truly showed in the long run and did not effect the match too much overall.Fetfatzidis – 6.0: Came on with a ton of expectations, but he failed to assert his influence on proceedings and fell by the wayside.Mitroglou – 6.0: Had his effort at goal hand-balled to no avail but apart from that, his lack of playing time at Fulham showed in his overall play.Karagounis – 6.0: The wiley old veteran came on in the later stages to give Greece more presence in the midfield, but he did nothing to right the ship there in the end."