Venezuela is one step below the powerful the points of

“Venezuela is one step below the powerful”: the points of the future of Vinotinto after the pre-Olympics

The 2024 South American Olympic qualifiers are still controversial. The 10 Conmebol U23 teams are involved in deciding who will be the representatives of this part of the world at the Paris Olympics. For Venezuela, hosts of this competition, there is an added pressure that comes from respecting the home team and demonstrating the development of the Vinotinto player.

La República spoke to Mario Ricardo Escobar, a Caracas sports journalist at DSports, about the impressions left by the team technically led by Ricardo Valiño, the new figures of this process, the impact they can have on Fernando Batista's squad and what is missing Venezuelan football is about building values ​​and competing.

Venezuela currently sits in third place with five points as no date has been announced for the group stage's conclusion.  Photo: Conmebol

Venezuela currently sits in third place with five points as no date has been announced for the group stage's conclusion. Photo: Conmebol

Venezuela 2024 Pre-Olympic Games: The Role of the Homeowner

So far, the Venezuelan team has played three games in the group stage of the 2024 Pre-Olympics, with a record of two draws and one win. This puts it in third place in Group A behind Brazil and Ecuador.

Venezuela only has one rival in the group stage: Brazil.  Photo: Conmebol

Venezuela only has one rival in the group stage: Brazil. Photo: Conmebol

The panelist noted that despite the team's good selection, there were actions in the three games that ultimately affected the local team's position in the table and made it difficult to qualify for the final stages.

On their debut against Bolivia, Escobar pointed out that “Venezuela should have scored another goal to secure the three points” as they won 3-1. “Bolivia still wanted to get a positive result despite tees and with a 3-2 win they were able to overcome the pressure and not know how to finish the game. “It’s deadly in this type of competition.”

As for Ecuador, the journalist mentions that the southerners only have one leg to stand on in the next stage because they are “strong and balanced in training”. This 1-1 draw forces Vinotinto's U23s to beat Brazil, which has youth players already linked with Europe's elite clubs.

“The impression is that Venezuela has a lot of potential, but is still a step or two below the powerful,” he explained.

Can Fernando Batista describe the credentials of this Vinotinto as Sub-23?

Referring to an upcoming call by the coach of the Venezuelan senior national team to the players with the most exposure in the pre-Olympic Games, Escobar maintains that “there is still a need,” although some enjoy the support and appreciation of “Bocha.” .

“This call-up of players to the senior national team to be successful in U17, U20 or U23 tournaments does not always bear lasting fruit,” said the communicator.

However, Escobar did not detract from the talent of David Martínez, who he states “has to respect his processes,” just like Matías Lacava. Regarding Kevin Kelsey, he assured that he could have a chance ahead of those mentioned given his current status at Shakhtar Donetsk, but it would be difficult for him to get minutes as Vinotinto has many options for the attacking center position.

Kevin Kelsy also scored a goal in his first Champions League season.  Photo: Conmebol

Kevin Kelsy also scored a goal in his first Champions League season. Photo: Conmebol

The key to the Vinotinto of the future

As for the future of the Venezuelan team with a good presence in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Mario Ricardo Escobar points out that it is positive to try to strengthen the players of the local league, but that even better work is being done can, based on this “the economic situation should improve so that clubs can continue to bring players abroad.”

The informant explains that Venezuela has a vast universe of young players from the 2000 to 2006 categories, many of whom have already been identified by the Vinotinto scouting department.

However, if one wants to avoid what happened with the U-20 World Cup runners-up, which produced only Yeferson Soteldo and Yangel Herrera, it is important to respect the player's training time and give him the help he needs to reach his maximum potential to exploit.

Venezuela lost to England in the final of the U-20 World Cup.  Photo: FIFA

Venezuela lost to England in the final of the U-20 World Cup. Photo: FIFA

“The problem will always be that it will be very difficult to develop the processes if they are not supported and monitored,” he testified.