Attacking Colombia can play into Argentina’s hands, says Marcos Rojo ahead of Copa America quarter-final

Facing a Colombia side who like to attack will force Argentina to play their best soccer in the Copa America quarter-finals, left back Marcos Rojo said.

Marcos Rojo, left, expects Argentina to show their attacking best when they face Colombia in the quarter-final. Juan Barreto / AFP

Facing a Colombia side who like to attack will force Argentina to play their best football in the Copa America quarter-finals, defender Marcos Rojo said.

Argentina have shown indifferent finishing in their three group matches, Lionel Messi included. They have struggled to break through defensive opponents and eked out 1-0 wins over holders Uruguay and Jamaica after a 2-2 draw with Paraguay.

They meet Colombia, who scraped through in third place in their group despite a 1-0 win over Brazil, at the Pacific coastal resort of Vina del Mar on Friday (3.30am UAE) for a place in the semi-finals of the world’s oldest active international tournament.

"Colombia are tough rivals but more open than the teams we've faced so far," Rojo told Reuters.

“On paper these are the rivals that suit us, although you’ve got to play the matches but we have a lot of faith in our game.”

MORE FOOTBALL NEWS

Both sides entered the tournament in Chile among the favourites for the title, but have not shown their full potential, Colombia losing 1-0 to Venezuela before beating Brazil and drawing 0-0 with Peru.

Rojo believes the Argentine team is packed with talent and capable of ending the country’s 22-year wait for a major trophy after back-to-back Copa America wins in 1991 and 1993.

“This group of players has a team essence and that is what distinguishes us. We’ve all be pulling in the same direction for some time,” Rojo said.

“Although some lads have changed since the World Cup, it’s as if we’ve all been together for a long time.”

Argentina were close to winning their first World Cup since 1986 last year, but lost the final to Germany 1-0 after extra time in Rio de Janeiro, and Rojo said the experience fortified the team.

Rojo, who is from La Plata, began his career at local side Estudiantes and helped them win the club’s fourth South American Libertadores Cup in 2009.

He moved to Spartak Moscow in December 2010 and on to Sporting of Portugal in 2012 before signing for United last August after the World Cup.

Often criticised by Argentina fans in his early days in the team, Rojo won them over with a string of good performances at the World Cup including a goal against Nigeria, for which they composed a song, and a “rabona” clearance in defence against Bosnia.

His rabona, a movement wrapping one leg round behind the other to kick the ball associated with compatriots Diego Maradona, Claudio Borghi and more recently by Tottenham Hotspur’s Erik Lamela, appeared again against Jamaica on Saturday.

Rojo’s left-footed cross was cleared back to him and, with the ball returning to his right leg, he brilliantly brought his left foot round behind it to cross again to the far side of the box where Pablo Zabaleta volleyed wide.

The move earned Rojo an ovation like the one at the Maracana against Bosnia a year ago.

“I hit the rabona because it comes naturally to me. My left (foot) is my left, my right doesn’t respond,” Rojo said.

“I laughed during the match because the fans shouted as if it was a goal but my team mates made fun of me.”

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE