The front Luis Fernando Muriel denied on Tuesday that there are any quarrels within the Colombian national team, particularly with James Rodriguez, after the heated discussion they had after the thunderous defeat in view of Ecuador, 6-1, on the fourth day of the South American World Cup qualifiers.
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“We have known each other since we were 17, 18 years old, and the relationship goes beyond the national team. We eat together. Rumors arise when there are adverse situations,” he clarified Muriel at a press conference in Atibaia, a city 690 kilometers from Sao Paulo where Colombia prepares to face Brazil this Thursday.
The forward of the Atalanta celebrated his return to the national team after two months injured, which also coincides with the return from James, of the Al-rayyan of Qatar and absent in the last matches by decision of the coach Reinaldo Rueda.
“James arrived with great motivation”
“Having James on the squad gives us one more chance due to his great technical ability, his vision of the game and what he generates. He is an important tool and he arrived with great motivation and that makes us happy for what he represents for him. Colombian soccer and this generation, “he said.
Muriel noted that the chapter with Rodriguez it is closed and “the motivation of the whole group is quite high”.
Colombia will face this Thursday at the Neo Química Arena stadium in Sao Paulo Brazil, undefeated leader of the South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022.
Falcao and Oscar Murillo, casualties
For the final doubleheader of the playoffs this year, Colombia lost due to injury to Radamel Falcao, of the Vallecano Ray, and to the defender Oscar Murillo, of the Pachuca from Mexico.
The coffee growers occupy the fourth position with 16 points, 15 behind the leader Brazil, and, for the moment, they have the last direct ticket to Qatar 2022 without having to go to the playoffs.
On November 16, Colombia will receive Paraguay (12 points) in Barranquilla, while Brazil will visit in the city of San Juan Argentina, second in the table with 25 units.
