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Lorenzo calls for calm heads as Colombia ready for DR Congo challenge

RE

Reuters

Published 2 hours ago

Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo ⁠said on Monday his side must neutralise DR Congo's counter-attacking ‌threat while maintaining their identity when the ‌teams meet in World Cup ‌Group K on Tuesday in Guadalajara.

[p] [/p][p]The ‌South Americans opened with a 3-1 ‌win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uzbekistan/EZYKKRMc/"]Uzbekistan[/a] and can secure a round of 32 berth ‌with victory, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lorenzo-nestor-gabriel/EHstnYWI/"]Lorenzo[/a] warned [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/d-r-congo/phn9mm8H/"]⁠DR Congo[/a], ‌who drew 1-1 with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] in their ​opener, would pose a different tactical challenge.[/p][p]Congo's 5-3-2 ​formation, with two forwards held high, makes transitions and counter-attacks the key ⁠danger to ​manage, Lorenzo said.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diaz-luis/SKjMUHVm/"]Luis Diaz[/a] scored and assisted against Uzbekistan and Lorenzo praised the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] forward's ‌versatility.[/p][p][b]"The important thing is not how many times he attacks, but how the moves finish," Lorenzo said of Diaz. "Lucho is a complete forward."[/b][/p][image alt="Colombia - DR Congo win probability" id="835382b1-6eb6-465d-acde-990be8ea00c9" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="d1ba0813-459a-4604-b07b-5f8038511bbf" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Lorenzo said he had no major selection doubts and declined to name his lineup.[/p][p]Lorenzo urged ‌his players to channel the ​crowd's energy without losing composure, ‌after several were visibly moved against Uzbekistan at the Azteca Stadium.[/p][p][b]"We have to play with a hot heart and a cool head," ⁠he said.[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/colombia-G02s4PCS/d-r-congo-phn9mm8H/?mid=K0YnEaMq"]Follow the game with Flashscore.[/a][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]

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