The Vinotinto plays the 2026 World Cup repechage in front of Colombia in Maturín. Fernando Batista requested maximum concentration, praised James Rodríguez and Richard Ríos as the main threats and assured that his players face the game with the motivation of a final.
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Venezuela's selection is played on Tuesday the possibility of reaching the repechage towards World Cup 2026in a decisive duel against Colombia in Maturín. FERNANDO BATISTAVinotinto technician, described the meeting as “A World Cup final” and asked its players maximum concentration to try to write a historic page.
“We have to win to continue with chances. I have been telling the boys: It is as if it were a World Cup final”, Said the Argentine strategist in the prelude to the commitment. Although he recognized the difficulty of the rival, he highlighted the confidence of the group and the conviction that they can achieve the goal.
The coach stressed that Colombia, despite arriving with the insured classification, will not offer advantages. “We know they are not going to give anything away. They are professionals, with a great coach and soccer players of hierarchy. We have to be calm and well concentrated, because in addition to being a strong team, they have individualities that make differences, ”he explained.
Among those individualities, Batista put the magnifying glass in James Rodríguez and Richard Ríosto those who consider keys to the creation and control of the coffee game. “Colombia attacks a lot for the bands, but when they have James and Ríos driving the ball, win a plus. We have worked thinking about how to neutralize their virtues and take advantage of the spaces that leave behind, ”he said.
As for the novelties of his squad, the DT suspended the presence of Tomás Rincónthat drags physical discomfort, although it is confident that referents like the captain himself, Solomon Rondón or Wuilker Faríñez can transmit experience to the youngest. “They are players who have already lived from this caliber with their clubs and that helps to guide the group. This is a day to be together and give a joy to the country,” he said.
Batista closed with a message full of optimism and pride in what was achieved in the qualifiers. “The team has grown a lot in character. Venezuela is no longer easy for anyone and that is the merit of the players. I trust to death. Whatever happens, I know that tomorrow we can hit the blow,” he said.
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