Sport360° view: Falcao’s absence barely felt by Colombia

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  • Missing man: Radamel Falcao missed the World Cup due to injury.

    With growing belief inside the camp – to match the developing hysteria outside of it – that Colombia can do more than just compete at this World Cup, it begs the question: how good with this side be with Radamel Falcao in it?

    The Monaco striker’s attributes were an obvious loss to Colombia in an attacking sense: 81 goals in his last 110 domestic games, nine goals in qualifying to get the national side to their first World Cup since 1998 and, had he been selected, he would be only one of two in the squad to have scored more than 10 international goals.

    Yet, Los Cafeteros have shown little to no sign of missing El Tigre.

    They clearly haven’t had any problem scoring: James Rodriguez has five of their 11 goals, but the rest have been shared between – Jackson Martinez, Juan Cuadrado, Teo Gutierrez, Pablo Armero and Juan Quintero.

    When you factor in Juan Zuniga’s bursts from right-back and the creativity in midfield by Abel Aguilar, there are goals from all areas of the field.

    The question, therefore, is no longer how good this side would be with Falcao in it, but are they a better side without him?

    The team that faced Uruguay on Saturday had both Teo and Jackson Martinez in attack but neither was a traditional No9 in the Falcao mould.

    Both drifting wide or dropping deep, it allowed James to then move into space between the lines where he proved so potent.

    Falcao, for all his brilliance, is not as flexible a footballer.

    He is predominantly a penalty box predator.

    A world class finisher but not necessarily one who brings his team-mates into the game.

    He, unlike the 11 players Jose Pekerman currently favours, demands to be the focal point and if he is stopped, the system breaks down.

    Without him there has been greater responsibilty placed on James, Cuadrado, Martinez etc.

    Much like how Monaco prospered and became a more rounded unit after his injury in January – also boosting James’ performances – there is a more of a team ethic in how they attack.

    Just witness James’ second against Uruguay as 11 passes resulted in the 22-yearold finishing from close range.

    Combating Colombia is now much more than having to mark Falcao out of the game.

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