Velez criticizes Colombia's performance and backs Puerta for starting XI
Analyst Carlos Antonio Velez questioned Colombia's collective play after the 2-0 victory over Jordan, suggesting Gustavo Puerta should be a starter.
Following Colombia's 2-0 victory over Jordan, football analyst Carlos Antonio Velez expressed concerns regarding the team's collective performance under Néstor Lorenzo. While the result was positive, the expert argued that the match served more as a competitive training session than a true test ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Velez highlighted the strong performance of Jhon Arias, drawing parallels to his form at Palmeiras. He also made a strong case for Gustavo Puerta, insisting the midfielder proved he deserves a regular spot in the starting lineup. According to Velez, Puerta's role helped occupy the right flank, enabling Arias to contribute more effectively to the team's build-up play in the middle.
The criticism focused primarily on the first half, as Velez felt the second half offered little analytical value. He maintained that Colombia's success at the upcoming tournament will rely heavily on individual brilliance rather than a fully consolidated collective system, a point he believes remains a significant question mark for the national team.