Fifteen years after winning their only Copa América title, Colombia returns to the continental tournament with their sights set on taking all the glory back home. Coach Nestor Pékerman decided to leave some key names out of his roster, making James Rodríguez the go-to guy for a team that needs to prove their worth in the international spotlight. Other key players for the Colombian side will be Juan Cuadrado, who recently helped Juventus to win a fifth straight Serie A title, and also Carlos Bacca, who is expected to be the first option to lead their attack.
Colombia’s Copa América record
This will be the 20th Copa América for Colombia, having won the 2001 edition at home. Despite having some talented players in most of their rosters, Los Cafeteros have only reached the podium four more times, ending the 1975 edition as runners up, and winning the bronze medal back in 1987, 1993 and 1995. Last year, Pekerman’s crew was eliminated by Argentina in the Quarter final stage, but their performance was a huge disappointment, considering they were only able to score one goal in their four games.
Colombia’s current form
Since June 2015, the yellow-and-blue side has played twelve games, considering friendlies and World Cup Qualifiers. Their balance isn’t that bad, winning five games, drawing four and losing three. Their most recent defeat was handed to them by Argentina back in November, in what turned out to be the first win for the Albiceleste in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Colombia started the year as the eighth best team in the world, according to FIFA’s ranking. Their good form and a couple of wins handed them the 4th spot in the May 2016 release.
José Nestor Pékerman’s profile
Colombia’s Argentine coach was able to lead the team to their best finish in a World Cup tournament back in 2014, where they were eliminated by Brazil. In charge of the team since 2012, Pekerman has developed a balanced system that works with or without a playmaker on the pitch, adapting to the team’s needs depending on the opposition. The Argentine is considered to be one of the best coaches in the world for his ability to develop young talent. His three U-20 World Cup titles with Argentina are a good example of what he can do when having the chance to work with rising stars.
The team's wonderful display during the 2014 World Cup earned Pekerman a contract extension until the end of 2018.
Copa America broadcasters in Colombia
DirecTV will provide complete Copa America TV coverage in Colombia, via its dedicated channel DirecTV Sports. Subscribers will have live access to all 32 matches of the summer tournament, and will have the option to stream the matches on their mobile devices via the satellite platform’s official app, DirecTV Play.
DirecTV, which offers its web streaming platform for no extra cost to DirecTV subscribers in Colombia, will stream all the games on DirecTVPlay.com.
Go to Colombia's page for the team's full Copa America Centenario fixtures and global online and TV listings.
Colombia’s Copa América Centenario roster
Coach Pékerman decided to leave three well-known strikers out of the squad that will play the continental tournament. Radamel Falcao, Teófilo Gutiérrez and Jackson Martínez will have to watch their team-mates on TV, as Pékerman did not include them in his 40-man roster.
Here’s Colombia’s provisional squad, which will be shortened before the beginning of the competition.
Goalkeepers : David Ospina (Arsenal), Cristian Bonilla (Atlético Nacional), Róbinson Zapata (Santa Fe)
Defenders: Jeison Murillo (Inter Milan), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Felipe Aguilar (Atlético Nacional), Santiago Arias (PSV), Farid Díaz (Atlético Nacional), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Stefan Medina (Pachuca).
Midfielders: James Rodríguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sánchez (Aston Villa), Daniel Torres (Independiente Medellín), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Guillermo Celis (Junior), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Juventus), Sebastián Pérez (Atlético Nacional), Andrés Felipe Roa (Deportivo Cali)
Forwards: Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Roger Martínez (Racing Club), Marlos Moreno (Atlético Nacional), Dayro Moreno (Club Tijuana).
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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