Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo was deeply unimpressed by CONMEBOL’s decision to extend half-time in tonight’s Copa America final to allow for a performance from pop star Shakira.
The traditional 15 minutes will be elongated to 25 to enable the Grammy Award winner to do a longer set in front of a large TV audience tuned in to watch Colombia take on Argentina.
Lorenzo referenced the fact four managers – including opposite number Lionel Scaloni – have been suspended, and the federations fined, after their teams re-emerged from the locker rooms late after the half-time break during this year’s Copa.
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— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 13, 2024
He said: “I hope you enjoy, Shakira is great. For a final, when the rules change for both teams, bad pitches for both or same weather for both, then I can’t say if its bad or if it favors one side.
“I can’t understand it, I wish it were like the rest. When we came out in the 16th minute we were sanctioned, but now that there is a show we can come out in the 20th-minute mark. Players can get cold, but it’s on both sides. I found out today that this is how it is, and that’s it.”
Extra-time has also been re-introduced having not been used for the knockout stages so far in the tournament.
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The final pits two of South America’s great number 10s in direct opposition – Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Colombia’s James Rodriguez.
James has been reinvigorated over the past month, breaking Messi’s record for the most assists at a single Copa with six.
Lorenzo said: “He’s done a great Copa América, we are lucky that he is good and taken leadership of the team.
“And that the team has supported him and taken him to this game, where we want to be. 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.”
