Juan Cuadrado said having many players in Serie A has “helped Colombia become stronger” after they beat Uruguay.
Los Cafeteros continued their 100 per cent record in the World Cup, as a 2-0 result set up their first ever quarter-final against Brazil.
Juan Cuadrado said having many players in Serie A has “helped Colombia become stronger” after they beat Uruguay.
Los Cafeteros continued their 100 per cent record in the World Cup, as a 2-0 result set up their first ever quarter-final against Brazil.
“We wanted to reach this objective, now we will take it one game at a time and see where we can end up,” the Fiorentina winger told Sky Sport Italia.
Colombia have numerous players based in Italy and Cuadrado says that is no coincidence.
“Serie A is one of the most difficult Leagues in the world, so having players who are used to Italy like Mario Yepes, Camilo Zuniga and Pablo Armero does help Colombia become stronger, because we are more organised in defence now.
“You can see that influence on the pitch.”
Other members of the squad based in Italy are Milan’s Cristian Zapata, Inter’s Fredy Guarin, Victor Ibarbo of Cagliari and ex-Pescara creative midfielder Juan Pablo Quintero.
Fiorentina have now bought Cuadrado outright from Udinese, where he had been in a co-ownership deal, but he’s attracted interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus.
“As I’ve always said, I am very calm now. I’m focused on Colombia, then after the World Cup I’ll speak to my agent and we will make the right decision.”