Uruguay Copa America Centenario 2016 Predicted Lineup: Probable Starting 11 for La Celeste
The last time Uruguay won the Copa America, it was five years ago after what was a scrappy start to the tournament. Since then, La Celeste have failed to do well in the two major tournaments that followed. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay were knocked out in the Round of 16 stage while in the 2015 Copa America, they lost to champions, Chile in the quarter-finals.
In this year's Copa America, Uruguay will be looking to put the disappointment of the last few years behind them and add another trophy to their cabinet. With Luis Suarez, arguably the world's best forward, in their side, the ninth-ranked team in the world will be one of the favourites to lift the centenary edition.
Uruguay have remained unbeaten in all three matches they have played in 2016, winning two and drawing one against Brazil. Having won the first ever Copa America in 1916, Uruguay will have an added source of motivation to go all the way.
Here we take a look at Uruguay's 23-man squad and pick what the probable starting XI will be for the Copa America:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Martín Campaña (Independiente, ARG), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray, TUR), Martín Silva (Vasco da Gama, BRA)
DEFENDERS (6): Jorge Fucile (Nacional, URU), Jose Giménez (Atlético Madrid, ESP), Diego Godín, (Atlético Madrid, ESP), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto, POR), Gastón Silva (Torino, ITA), Mauricio Victorino (Nacional, URU)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Egidio Arévalo Rios (Atlas, MEX), Matías Corujo (Universidad de Chile, CHI), Álvaro González (Atlas, MEX), Alvaro Pereira (Getafe, ESP), Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough, ENG), Diego Laxalt (Genoa, ITA), Carlos Sánchez (Monterrey, MEX), Matías Vecino (Fiorentina, ITA)
FORWARDS (6): Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-German, FRA), Abel Hernández (Hull City, ENG), Nicolás Lodeiro (Boca Juniors, ARG), Diego Rolán (Bordeaux, FRA), Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough, ENG), Luis Suárez (Barcelona, ESP).
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper – Fernando Muslera
Fernando Muslera has been Uruguay's custodian at the back in the past few major tournaments and is set to make a start owing to his big match experience. The 29-year-old is well known to make saves from close range shots. In the 2015/16 season, Muslera made a total of 166 saves in 41 appearances, with 85 of those coming from shots inside the penalty area.
Playing football with Galatasaray, Muslera’s experience facing top strikers from Europe will hold him in good stead in order to help the La Celeste in their quest for glory. Although Muslera does not have a great distribution success rate, with 66%, his ability to make crucial saves will be important for Uruguay.