Santos: ´We cannot underestimate Colombia´

Greece coach Fernando Santos has warned his side not to take Colombia lightly ahead of their World Cup opener in Belo Horizonte.

The South American nation’s squad has been severely hampered by the absent Radamel Falcao, after the Monaco man missed the final cut for Jose Pekerman’s team due to a knee injury.

Also sidelined by injury for Colombia were defender Luis Amaranto Perea and striker Luis Muriel, but Santos said their first-up Group C opponents on Saturday would still provide a stern challenge.

“Of course these players (Falcao, Perea and Muriel) are very important for the team and the coach would be glad to count on them,” Santos said, ahead of their clash.

“Some of them I know well.

“I don’t think it is going to change the way Colombia play, because I understand that Carlos Bacca and (Teofilo) Gutierrez are very strong players and (Cristian) Zapata and (Carlos) Valdes, so they can eventually replace Perea, because they are players with a huge value.

“I cannot see a big difference, but obviously coaches like to have the best players.

“We cannot underestimate Colombia.”

Striker Kostas Mitroglou has come under fire for a lack of goals, having not scored for club or country since netting in their World Cup qualifier against Romania.

Mitroglou, who switched from Olympiakos to Fulham in January, has the faith of coach Santos, despite battling a knee problem of late.

“This player (Mitroglou) played only the first two months, but we have seen him during some matches in the English Premier League and we understand that he is very important for our team and I believe in his qualities,” Santos said.

“He is in good shape physically and day by day he gets better.”

Mitroglou played just 151 minutes across three Premier League appearances for the London club, but started in their recent friendly with Portugal before substitute appearances against Nigeria and Bolivia.

He is seemingly vying for a starting XI spot with Theofanis Gekas, who he exchanged places with in each of the three friendlies.