We won’t change how we defend set pieces against Colombia: Lionel Scaloni

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BARRANQUILLA – Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said his side will not change how they defend set pieces when they face Colombia in a rematch of the Copa America final on Sept 10 at the Estadio Metropolitano.

La Albiceleste won the Copa showpiece 1-0 in July in Miami after extra time, but they will be wary of Colombia’s dead-ball prowess, with four of the Colombians’ 12 goals at the tournament coming via that route.

Playmaker James Rodriguez created all of those goals and totalled six assists. He will again be a threat in the World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla.

Said Scaloni: “We have a way of defending. We watch our opponents and analyse them, but we are not going to change our way of defending. It is true that sometimes you have to change the position of some players, but it is clear that it is a weapon they have and we have to be careful.”

Scaloni will be without his own star set-piece taker and talisman Lionel Messi, who is out with an ankle injury.

He said: “It is difficult for a team not to depend on Messi because he is a unique player. But this team has an idea of the game regardless of who plays.

“They all play the same thing. That helps. When Leo is not here, we do the same thing without that final touch he has.”

Argentina sit top of the South American qualifiers for World Cup 2026 on 18 points, with Colombia third on 13 points, one behind second-placed Uruguay and three ahead of fourth-placed Brazil.

Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes has called for patience from the country’s football fans, promising the team is close to clicking under coach Dorival Jr.

Brazil ended a four-game winless run in World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 home victory over Ecuador in Curitiba on Sept 6 and will face Paraguay in Asuncion on Sept 10.

According to Gabriel, the five-time world champions have adapted quickly to the methods of Dorival, who replaced Fernando Diniz in January.

“It’s been a short time and we’ve had to make quick adjustments, but we already have in mind what the manager wants,” the 26-year-old Arsenal centre back told a news conference on Sept 8.

“It’s a new cycle and we know that we have a lot to improve. But we also have a lot of quality. From the moment we are in sync on the field, things will flow better. What won’t be lacking is willpower.”

He added: “What we want is to win first and, of course, to bring joy to the Brazilian people. Football today isn’t just about playing beautifully, it’s about results.

“There will be games that you win 1-0 without playing well and there will be games in which you’ll play well and not win. That’s football. We have to be patient.” XINHUA

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We won’t change how we defend set pieces against Colombia: Lionel Scaloni

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