Colombia v Ivory Coast team news: Didier Drogba on bench again for the Elephants

 
Sidelined: Drogba could be used as an impact substitute again
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Andy Hodgson19 June 2014

His match-changing contribution off the bench in the Ivory Coast's win against Japan has not been enough to earn former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba a starting berth for today's clash against Colombia.

Drogba, 36, made an impact in the second half as the Elephants came from a goal down to beat Japan last week, but coach Sabri Lamouchi has stuck by Swansea's Wilfried Bony up front with support from Roma's Gervinho.

If the Elephants beat Colombia, they will gain a three-point lead at the top of the group and, with it, take a big step towards reaching the World Cup’s last 16 for the first time. Max Gradel starts instead of Salamon Kalou for Ivory Coast's only change.

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has stuck with the side that swept to a 3-0 victory over the Greece, with Monaco playmaker James Rodriguez expected to be the focal point in the centre of the field.

World Cup 2014: Ivory Coast team guide

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Rodriguez was involved in all three of the goals against Greece and is the team’s guiding light in the absence of talismanic striker Falcao.

Colombia: 1-David Ospina; 3-Mario Yepes, 2-Cristian Zapata, 7-Pablo Armero; 18-Juan Zuniga, 8-Abel Aguilar, 10-James Rodriguez, 6-Carlos Sanchez, 11-Juan Cuadrado, 14-Victor Ibarbo; 9-Teofilo Gutierrez

Substitutes: 4-Santiago Arias, 5-Carlos Carbonero, 12-Camilo Vargas, 13-Fredy Guarin, 15-Alexander Mejia, 16-Eder Balanta, 17-Carlos Bacca, 19-Adrian Ramos, 20-Juan Quintero, 21-Jackson Martinez, 22-Faryd Mondragon, 23-Carlos Valdes

Ivory Coast: 1-Boubacar Barry; 17-Serge Aurier, 22-Souleyman Bamba, 3-Arthur Boka, 5-Didier Zokora; 9-Cheick Tiote, 19-Yaya Toure, 20-Serey Die, 15-Max Gradel; 10-Gervinho, 12-Wilfried Bony

Substitutes: 2-Ousmane Diarrassouba, 4-Kolo Toure, 6-Mathis Bolly, 7-Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, 8-Salomon Kalou, 11-Didier Drogba, 13-Didier Ya Konan, 14-Ismael Diomande, 16-Sylvain Gbohouo, 18-Constant Djakpa, 21-Giovanni Sio, 23-Sayouba Mande

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