‘Vital player’ James will start for Colombia
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman is preparing to unleash James Rodriguez on Poland today in an attempt to prevent an early World Cup exit.
Playmaker Rodriguez (26) was restricted to a substitute appearance in the opening defeat against Japan due to a calf injury.
A second successive loss would almost certainly end Los Cafeteros’ hopes of reaching the last 16 in Russia – and Pekerman is confident Rodriguez is ready to face the Poles.
Asked if the player could start, the Argentinian-born manager replied: “Yes, definitely. James Rodriguez is a vital player for our national squad.
“James is doing very well, that’s what we’ve seen in the training sessions.
“He played a number of minutes in the previous match and that gave him more confidence.”
Poland coach Adam Nawalka said: “We lost the first game, but we did not lose faith. I am convinced we are well prepared.
“There was big hope in Poland and, as a consequence, big disappointment.
“We are eager to play the second game, of course I hope with a better result.
“There were a number of things that we had to fine-tune, but he’s worked very, very intensively over the last couple and we really hope that he will be 100% in top form for the game.”
Japan head coach Akira Nishino believes stopping Sadio Mane is the key to his side’s chances against Senegal.
The two sides clash in Ekaterinburg today, with both nations having won their opening games in Group H.
Mane was instrumental in Senegal’s 2-1 victory against Poland who, at times during the game, doubled up on the Liverpool winger.
Nishino said: “It’s possible to stop him, but he has an influence on the other players – and that’s what we are concerned about.”
Mane disagreed with Nishino’s belief, insisting the whole team is what makes them effective.
He said: “I think it’s going to be a good match, it’s very important for us and we need to be supportive. Our strength? It’s not Sadio Mane, it’s the team.”
Mane also revealed that he has been in contact with Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah, although Salah’s World Cup campaign with Egypt will not extend beyond the group phase.