Copa América Coach Slams 25-Minute Halftime Break in Final
Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo has expressed his frustration at CONMEBOL’s decision to extend the halftime break in the Copa América final from 15 to 25 minutes to accommodate a performance by Colombian pop star Shakira.
"I hope you enjoy, Shakira is great," Lorenzo said in his pre-match press conference. "But for a final, when the rules change for both teams, I just can’t understand it. Players can get cold, but it’s on both sides."
This isn’t the only rule change that has raised eyebrows. The quarterfinal and semifinal stages of the tournament saw a regular-time tie result in an automatic penalty shootout, but the final will feature an additional 30 minutes of extra time before penalties.
Lorenzo referenced incidents in the group stage where managers were suspended for one match and their teams were fined for arriving late to the field of play. "When we came out in the 16th minute, we were sanctioned. But now that there’s a show, we can come out in the 20th-minute mark."
Despite the controversy surrounding the halftime break, Lorenzo is confident that his team is ready to compete against Argentina. He praised James Rodríguez, who has been instrumental in Colombia’s run to the final, saying: "He’s been one of the best, I don’t know if the best but one of. And I hope tomorrow he gives off a good performance."
Rodríguez has been in impressive form, with one goal and six assists, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record for the most goal assists in one edition of the competition since records began in 2011.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez echoed Lorenzo’s praise for Rodríguez, saying: "We know the left foot that James has, we know it’s one of the best."
While Argentina is looking to win a third straight major tournament, Colombia is seeking to lift just its second Copa América crown and first since 2001.
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