Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group A - Uruguay Team Review

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Uruguay

FIFA World Ranking: 17
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 1.80
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 1.10
Qualifying Top Scorer: Edinson Cavani (10)
World Cup Best Performance: Winners (1930 and 1950)

Group A Opponents: Egypt, Russia and Saudi Arabia.


The Manager: Oscar Tabarez
When it comes to the experience of the manager, no side in the competition can match Uruguay. Indeed no manager in history has taken charge of the same international side in as many matches as Tabarez. In charge for three World Cups in total, his best result to date was when guiding La Celeste to fourth place in 2010. Unfortunately afflicted with a degenerative illness, this will likely be his last World Cup and he deserves to go out on a high.


The Squad:
With players hailing from La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 interspersed with a smattering of promising youngsters, the squad looks to have a nice mix of youth and experience.

The back four picks itself. In the centre back pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez Uruguay possess the heart of the feted Atletico Madrid defence. They haven’t necessarily carried their club form over to the international stage though, with a relatively high 20 goals conceded in qualifying. That may be more down to Uruguay playing a slightly more attacking style than Atletico though.

Midfield has been the most controversial area when it has come to selection. Famed for their grit and determination, those characteristics will likely be seen in abundance again, with the likes of Carlos Sanchez, Inter Milan’s Matias Vecino and Juventus’s Rodrigo Bentancur providing plenty of industry. The potential spark to link the midfield with the front two could come in the form of supremely talented 19 year old Federico Valverde. This is a big stage for a youngster, but he may well be up to it.

Up front there are few if any teams stronger in the competition. PSG’s Edinson Cavani and Barcelona’s Luis Suarez have been scoring goals for fun on the international stage and in Europe’s top divisions for years now. With these two leading the line, if Uruguay can create the chances, they won’t be passed up.


Star Man: Luis Suarez
Whilst both Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez bring more than goals to this side, it is the Barcelona hitman who appears to be the bigger miss when he doesn’t play. A ball of energy and passion, the prolific Suarez leads from the front and seems to raise the level of his teammates who look to be a side with greater belief when he is in the line-up. This will likely be his last World Cup and you can be sure he will be going all out to make an impact.


Outlook:
Comfortably the best side in the Group according to the FIFA World rankings, Uruguay outperformed all bar an impressive Brazil side in the toughest of all the World Cup qualifying sections. Possessed with plenty of ability and passion to match, they should top this section with the minimum of fuss.


Group A Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2438.0

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