Falcao likely to start for Colombia on Wednesday

Colombia head coach José Pekerman implied the Atleti striker is good to go

General - Posted on February 6, 2013 by - 4 Comments

SONY DSC Falcao at Sun Life Stadium in Miami
(Martin Rosenow; AtléticoFans)

AtléticoFans writer Martin Rosenow, who lives in South Florida, attended José Pekerman’s press conference on Tuesday and will be in the press box for Colombia’s friendly versus Guatemala Wednesday night in Miami.

Atlético striker Radamel Falcao is currently in Miami with the Colombian national team for a friendly against Guatemala on Wednesday.

‘El Tigre’ recently recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of several games with los Rojiblancos, starting and playing for 80 minutes of the club’s 1-0 victory over Betis this past Sunday.

It wasn’t exactly the forward’s best outing in the red and white shirt. He was rarely involved, only managing to get two shots off, only one of them on target.

On Saturday, Diego Simeone voiced his displeasure about Falcao’s national team call-up, admitting that if he offered his opinion about it, it “wouldn’t be pretty”.

Colombia head coach José Pekerman, in a press conference at Sun Life Stadium — where Wednesday’s game will be held — claimed that his staff had been in constant contact with Atlético training and medical staff.

“We were aware of [Falcao's injury],” Pekerman said when asked about the attacker’s fitness.

“We understand Atlético’s and their coach’s concern, but we suppose they understand what the national team is all about and that Colombia need to be able to rely on their players.”

The Argentine Pekerman continued: “I have a good relationship with Simeone. He has a team with aspirations and we suppose that he also understands what we want. I understand he played most of the game [with Atlético] on Sunday, he’s okay, and he was willing to come here.”

The former Argentina youth national team head coach implied that Falcao will appear in the starting line-up.

“We expect to have a base composed of starters,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the mixed zone, Falcao repeatedly made it clear he feels fully recovered from the knock he sustained against Levante.

Related posts:

  1. Falcao: “I’m proud to take my Atleti shirt to Colombia”
  2. ‘Cholo’ has kind words for Falcao & Perea
  3. Atlético arrive in Colombia
  4. Atlético schedule second friendly in Colombia
  5. Atlético to play friendly in Colombia in May


Comments (4)

  1. Derek Maaijen at 7:25 am on February 6, 2013

    Have fun at the game Martin!
  2. Martin Rosenow at 3:31 pm on February 6, 2013

    Thanks Diesel!
  3. Andres (Lolaya) at 11:52 pm on February 6, 2013

    I was going to make a thread/post about all the international games that Atlético players are in but you seem to got that under control :) Have fun! Great to hear that you will be in the press box! Take some pictures and make sure to meet Falcao (again I guess?)

    PS. Are you going to wear your Atlético jersey?
  4. Rojiblanco93 at 10:14 am on February 7, 2013

    And when u see him, try to hammer in his mind that he has to stay. We need hm and he needs us.
    Why he needs us ? Because we show him the love and respect he deserves even when he doesnt score for a couple of games.
    Right now with this coach and his teammates AND this fans, there will be no club in this galaxy which will make him more happier ,better and successfuller than ATLETICO MADRID !!!!

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