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There is a temptation to simply write off Rodriguez’s performance as coming against an overmatched opponent. It was after all Colombia’s biggest margin of victory ever in a Copa América match. But try telling that to the U.S. men’s national team, who fell to Panama in the group stage. While the talent gap between the two teams on this day was clear, a team with that edge is still obligated to use it to its full advantage, and that’s what Rodriguez and the rest of his teammates did.
It still begs the question as to why Rodriguez can excel for his country but not for his club. For Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo, there’s no mystery as to why Rodriguez is hitting top form in this tournament.
“He’s a good player,” Lorenzo said simply about Rodriguez. “He’s a player that is happy inside the field. The coach just sees how to put him [on the field so he can] enjoy.”
It certainly helps that Rodriguez has been given largely a free role in the team, allowing him to move side to side, or even deep into midfield to find space. More importantly, his teammates seem plenty willing to work for him. That kind of balance in the side — of not just ability, but of ego and responsibility — is something that Lorenzo appreciates. He senses it in this team too.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez has recorded one goal and five assists at the Copa América so far. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
“Football is an 11-player game and sometimes 10 have to play for that one player and they have to be willing to do that,” he said. “But each of those 11 players have to play for their teammates, for the other 10. And that is what this team is showing, great attitude and giving their all for their teammates. That has been apparent from minute one.”
There is also something to be said about finding calmness in an environment different from what is happening with Rodriguez’s club. He certainly isn’t the first player to use a national team as a refuge. But Lorenzo was quick to deflect credit for the psychological state of Rodriguez and his teammates.
“I wouldn’t know how to measure that with the coaching staff,” he said in reference to the team’s morale, with the help of a translator. “We are continuously [emphasizing] how important it’s to play for your national team, to wear your jersey. And I think it’s something to take to heart that makes you proud.
“That is on the side of the players. I think we don’t have a lot of influence in that sense. We can show some leadership, and if the players are committed in this way, it is because they love their jersey and they are very happy being here.”
Regardless of the how or the why, that Rodriguez is finding joy on the field again is clear, and his performance on Saturday put him in some select company. He’s now tied with Lionel Messi for the most assists in a single Copa América since 2011 (a period that spans five tournaments) with five.
His eight assists over that period are second only to Messi’s 17. RodrÃguez’s 11 goal contributions (three goals, eight assists) over the last five Copa América tournaments put him in third place behind Eduardo Vargas’ 14 and Messi’s 25.
Now Colombia finds itself in the semifinals of the Copa América for the third time in the last four editions. But it is at this stage that the Cafeteros usually stumble. Two early goals conceded in the semifinals against Chile eliminated Colombia back in 2016, when Lorenzo just so happened to be an assistant coach on Colombia’s staff. A penalty shootout defeat to Argentina five years later caused even more angst. It has also been 23 long years since Colombia claimed its only Copa América, a tournament that it hosted.
It is that history, which explains why Rodriguez is taking nothing for granted. “We’re doing all our best so we can win. We have the hardest matches left,” said.
If Rodriguez can keep up his current form, those challenges will become a lot easier.
Source link : https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40510773/colombias-james-rodriguez-inspirational-ever-copa-america
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Publish date : 2024-07-06 23:44:00
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