Uruguay

After finishing fourth in the last World Cup Uruguay go to Brazil with almost the same squad as back then. They are certainly more experienced, but are they any better?

Trust and conquer

The tough qualifying run would not indicate so – Uruguay had to beat Jordan in the play-offs to ensure a place in the World Cup. For a team that played in the semi-finals four years ago that result is disappointing at least.

Oscar Tabarez is not a man to change his squad frequently. He is more of a trusting figure and he gave a chance of playing to Jorge Fucile who did not feature at all this season at FC Porto. But the coach knows him and what he’s capable of. And most importantly he trusts him.

‘Trust’ could be a key word when discussing this Uruguayan team. Many coaches couldn’t have resisted temptation and tried to build their around such strikers as Luis Suarez (he had an knee operation on May 21, and is doubtful for the World Cup) and Edinson Cavani. Forget the rest of the team – let them do the job. But Tabarez is not one of them and he utilises their attacking abilities (combined with experienced Diego Forlan) but as he says: “Uruguay’s football needs to be pragmatic also”. So he orders his strikers to follow the team orders.

Ghiggia once again?

Playing mostly in a narrow 4-4-2 formation, Uruguay is a aggressive team. Some would say they were overly aggressive during the 2010 World Cup run, but now it has changed and that aggression is not aimed towards the opponent but towards the ball. They press in midfield, cut passing lanes – do everything defensively they should. Although they had less possession than the opponent in each qualifying game, they also had more shots than the opposition.

Of course, Uruguay’s individual quality lies not only in attack. In midfield they have Atletico Madrid’s Cristian Rodriguez who is an all-rounder capable of playing both as a left wingback or left winger. Gaston Ramirez of Southampton had a troubling season, but overall is capable of being creative in final third.

Also, Uruguayans are massively experienced. Out of the 25-man provisional squad, there are only five players with less than 10 appearances. And two of them will not feature in the final squad.

Tabarez has not changed his favorite four man back line (although he flirts with a three man defence a lot): Pereira, Lugano, Godin, Caceres. Out of them all, it was Diego Godin who had the best season. He was a cornerstone of Atletico Madrid’s defence this season – they conceded just 26 goals this season. When he won La Liga with his team at Nou Camp he told club’s television: “Now I know what Ghiggia felt, when he silenced Maracana”. He alluded to the famous Maracanazo – when Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 and won the World Cup on Brazilian soil. Brazil was preparing for a celebration – they did not expect this at all.

Uruguay success this year will be a surprise but will not be unexpected.

Playing style

Uruguay’s team is a cohesive unit – they play a football based on teamwork and passion which combined with their good individual quality can be very dangerous.

Coach

Tabarez is one of the oldest coaches in the World Cup, but nobody could question his ability to adapt to modern times. He is a methodical coach, he quickly recognizes his and the team’s mistakes and knows how to deal with them.

Schedule and BETEGY suggestions

14th June, Fortaleza: vs. Costa Rica (2-1)

19th June, Sao Paulo: vs. England (2-1)

24th June, Natal: vs. Italy (1-1)

Uruguay has a decent shot at qualifying to the knockout stages (67% chance) and should win the group with seven points. They’ll then beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in Round of 16 but will be eliminated by Netherlands in quarter-final (1-2 loss).