Rafa Márquez makes his debut with Mexico against a Colombia team that is entering a new era without James Rodríguez
Por Carlos Rodríguez ·
The Mexican national soccer team kicks off a new chapter this Saturday under the leadership of Rafa Márquez in a friendly match against the Colombian national team, which is entering a new era without James Rodríguez.
Rafael Márquez, a five-time World Cup participant as a player and former assistant coach to Javier Aguirre during the last World Cup, has been embraced by the media and fans to build on what “El Vasco” established in an effort to help Mexico break through the ceiling of mediocrity on the international stage.
Betting on a New Generation of El Tri
Rafa Márquez’s debut with Mexico will come against one of South America’s strongest rivals, the Colombian national team, which had a mediocre showing in the previous World Cup, ending its run in the round of 16.
The new Mexican national team coach will need to complete the generational transition in his country’s soccer following the retirement of goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
And the latest developments involving players such as striker Raúl Jiménez of England’s Wolverhampton, who is injured, and captain Edson Álvarez, who remains sidelined at West Ham.
In return, El Tri has new talents like Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old who already made an impressive debut at the last World Cup.
The same goes for Armando González, a 23-year-old striker who also played in the World Cup and moved to Olympiacos in Greece.
They’re investing in young people
Mexico will face a Colombian team led by Argentine Néstor Lorenzo.
For this roster, there are at least 15 new faces, a group of players under 23, and a new captain, Dávinson Sánchez of Galatasaray in Turkey, following James Rodríguez’s departure.
Lorenzo is confident that Dávinson’s experience will allow him to be the embodiment of strength and discipline that his team needs on the field.
Among the young players to watch in this call-up is 20-year-old Óscar Perea of América in Mexico.
And Cámilo Durán, of Celtic in Scotland, who at 24 has the opportunity to establish himself as the center forward his national team needs (Filed under: Mexico vs. Colombia—Rafa Márquez’s debut).
Probable lineups
Mexico: Raúl Rangel; Jorge Sánchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Erik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo, Gilberto Mora; Roberto Alvarado, Santiago Giménez, Hirving Lozano.
Head Coach: Rafael Márquez.
Colombia: Kevin Mier; Daniel Muñoz, Dávinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Álvaro Angulo; Kevin Castaño, Richard Ríos, Yaser Asprilla; Carlos Andrés Gómez, Óscar Perea, Luis Javier Suárez.
Head Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
Referee: to be announced.
Time: 7:00 p.m. (1:00 a.m. GMT).
Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States (Filed under: Mexico vs. Colombia—Rafa Márquez’s debut).
With information from EFE
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