It will be all or nothing when Colombia face neighbors Ecuador in a
World Cup qualifier this Saturday. It is simply a must-win situation
for Colombia, if they want to stay in the battle for a World Cup spot.
Colombia are currently in seventh position in the South American qualification group, with fifth-placed Ecuador three points ahead. If Colombia beat Ecuador and Uruguay (sixth) drop points in Peru, the Colombians could be in fifth place.
The line-up selected by Colombia manager Eduardo Lara shows one important change, as Junior’s in-form striker Teofilo Gutierrez will now be the front forward ahead of Radamel Falcao. The team also boasts an experience defense with players as Ivan Ramiro Cordoba and Mario Alberto Yepes.
The full line-up is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Agustin Julio
Defense: Luis Amaranto Perea, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Mario Alberto Yepes, Pablo Armero
Midfield: Camilo Zuñiga, Freddy Guarin, Fabian Vargas, Giovanni Moreno
Attack: Radamel Falcao Garcia, Teofilo Gutierrez
Lara has opted to use a 4-4-1-1 system, in which Falcao provides Teofilo with chances rather than trying to finish them himself.
The coach celebrated his 51st birthday on Friday, and the team could hand him a perfect gift by beating Ecuador at Medellin‘s Atanasio Girardot stadium and keeping World Cup hope alive.