Confederations Cup Preview: Uruguay

Players of Uruguay celebrate their 1-0 against Venezuela as part of the 14th round of the South American Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 on June 11, 2013 in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. (Getty Images)

For some reason, Uruguay never like to be among the fancied teams. Whatever be their calibre on paper, they always like making it tough for themselves. The reigning Copa America champions and semi-finalists at the last World Cup, they face the embarrassing prospect of failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, after having played in the Confederations Cup.

Locked in a battle with Venezuela and Peru for the 5th and final qualification spot (qualification still depends on them coming through the playoff with a team from a different region), it seems as though the Uruguay are on a downward spiral. And yet, it is when the going gets tough, that Uruguay come to the fore and find a way out of a seemingly impossible situation. This feature of theirs is what has been characteristic of their game and thought process.

In the battle-hardened Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay possess one of the most tactically sound and strategic managers out there. His ability to rotate the squad to fit their opposition has seen them become one of the most flexible and toughest teams to deal with. Also, the fact that they have a star-studded attacking force helps them alter their personnel and yet come out on top. He is used to this drill of his team getting through at the last moment, and understands it is completely in tune with their personality.

Defence

Their defence has always been their strength, as was seen in the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa America. Anchored by the skipper Diego Lugano, the Uruguayans are one of the most tenacious and tough tackling bunch around.

However, it is their defence that has been their Achilles’ heel of late, as they have struggled to keep clean sheets, and individual mistakes have crept in aplenty. In Diego Godin, they have a very strong central defensive core. In Martin Caceres, Sebastian Coates and Matias Aguirregaray, they have excellent reserves who could well take control of the back-line in the future.

The full back Pereira duo, Maxi and Alvaro provide them with great impetus going forward, and are also strong in the tackle and quick to get back. The presence of Caceres gives them the flexibility of playing either him or Alvaro Pereira at left-back depending on the opposition.

In goal, Galatasaray’s Fernando Muslera had a fantastic season for the club from Turkey and has been linked with a move Barcelona. At 26, he could be a mainstay of national team’s defence.

Midfield

This is one area of the Uruguayan squad which was earlier considered their biggest weakness, and yet now is slowly becoming their strength. The steel comes in the form of Arevalo Rios, the enforcer who we have become accustomed to seeing, snapping at the opponents’ heels, working tirelessly to win the ball back and Diego Perez, the battle worn warhorse who literally goes to battle in each and every game. His penchant for giving his all on the field is well known.

Add to the mix the hard working Walter Gargano and Sebastian Eguren, and the defensive midfield roles have enough strength in reserve. What has changed recently is the addition of players with guile to the midfield, in the form of Gaston Ramirez and Nicolas Lodeiro. They have provided the team with an additional dimension in terms of their attacking play, with their pace and vision. Both of them might have had ordinary club seasons last year, but they are the future of the Uruguayan midfield.

Attack

And now to their strength. What many teams would give to have an attacking triumvirate of Edison Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan? And with youngster Abel Hernandez in reserve and Ramirez able to play in the hole, they have great depth.

A deadly source of danger to their opposition, their inventive attacking play combined with their lethal finishing gives Uruguay a plethora of options in terms of deciding how they will line up; whether they want to play defensively and hit their opponents on the counter or they want to control the ball and go all out.

Suarez, the man with the eager teeth is definitely the lynchpin of their attack, with his dribbling and passing the catalyst for Cavani and Forlan to unleash their attacking prowess on their opponents.

Confederations Cup Prep

They should comfortably come out of their group consisting of Nigeria, Tahiti and Spain. The match up with Spain will give them a good indication of where they stand, and will be the best reality check in terms of preparing them for their semi-final clash, where they could possibly face Italy (what a brilliantly intriguing and defensive match-up that could be) or Brazil (considering they will come out of the so-called group of death).

I expect them to go as far as the finals, as I think that this team is one of the top five in the world. Apart from their recent slacking off, the team has not reached their shelf life yet, and definitely remain one of the best out there.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Muslera (Galatasaray), Castillo (Danubio FC), Silva (Defensor)

Defenders: Lugano (Malaga), Godin (Atletico Madrid), Coates (Liverpool), Aguirregaray (Penarol), Pereira (Benfica), Scotti (Nacional), Caceres (Juventus)

Midfielders: Gargano (Inter Milan), Pereira (Inter Milan), Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Eguren (Club Libertad), Lodeiro (Botafogo), Perez (Bologna), Arevalo (Palermo), Ramirez (Southampton), Gonzalez (Lazio)

Forwards: Suarez (Liverpool), Forlan (Internacional), Hernandez (Palermo), Cavani (Napoli).