‘Spectacular contribution’ – Crystal Palace’s Jefferson Lerma on influence of Colombian team-mate Daniel Munoz
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN AND SANTIAGO MENICHELLI
The South London influence was strong with Colombia on Friday night as Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz scored a sensational winner for the South American side as they beat Spain 1-0 at the London Stadium.
Munoz’s scissor-kick strike in the 61st minute from a Luis Diaz cross sealed an historic win for Colombia in their friendly – their first-ever against the European side.
“I’m very happy, it was a very nice and special game because we are playing where we live,” said Munoz’s Colombian team-mate and Eagles’ midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who played all 90 minutes of the game alongside the defender.
“It was marvellous the way our people experienced the game, considering our country is so far away from here.”
After moving to SE25 from Bournemouth in the summer, Lerma was joined by Munoz in the January transfer window, doubling the Colombian influence in the changing room and the midfielder could not be any happier about his compatriot also making the move to South London.
“The arrival of Munoz to Palace was great, we see game after game his spectacular contribution to the team,” said the 29-year-old.
“We are betting for the growth of the team, we are positive. There’s a different mentality at this club to the ones we were used to and we have taken it in the best way. Colombian players; we are gutsy, we are hungry for glory and that’s something we bring to the club.
“The way we see life is always with joy, and it is in that sense where we are different to the rest of the world, that also makes our lives easier.”
Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi, who plays his club football for Bologna in Italy, also praised the strike from Munoz and underlined the importance of him and Lerma playing in the Premier League.
“Players like Lerma and Munoz open new doors for us Colombians,” he said. “They are doing great work.
“Our goal was wonderful, that finishing touch was a clear connection between our best players. We saw that if we express all of our football, we can harm teams; we’ve got plenty of quality. I’m happy for Daniel and his goal and I thank him for the happiness he brought to us.”
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