World Cup preview: Uruguay

The Road To The World Cup

Just like their qualifying campaigns for the 2002 World Cup and the 2010 World Cup, Uruguay did things the hard way by finishing fifth in South America’s supergrupo and requiring an intercontinental play-off to book their spot at the tournament. 

This time around, Uruguay met Jordan in the home-and-away, who they easily defeated 5-0 on aggregate.

Schedule

Formation: 4-4-2 / 4-3-3 / 3-4-3 / 3-5-2

Few South American teams alter their formation as consistently as Uruguay. Since taking over as manager in 2006, Oscar Tabarez has demonstrated a willingness to adjust his tactics over the course of several months, over the course of a tournament, and within a single game.

Last year’s Confederations Cup provides a perfect example. In the group stage against Spain, Tabarez went with a 4-4-2 that shifted into a 4-4-1-1 when Edinson Cavani dropped deeper than Luis Suarez. 

Tabarez followed up by going with a 3-4-3 against Nigeria where Diego Forlan was brought back into the starting lineup. Once Uruguay took a 1-0 lead, the team then reverted to a back four. 

In the semi-finals versus Brazil, Tabarez went with a solid 4-3-3 and stuck with that formation throughout the entire game.

Uruguay's tactics can be headache-inducing. But one thing is certain. Tabarez is faced with an ageing team, and regardless of whether he deploys four defenders or three defenders at the World Cup, the back line will sit incredibly deep with the midfield also dropping back as Uruguay looks to launch counterattacks from near their own box. 

Playing deep saved Uruguay’s qualifying campaign after they failed to collect one win in six games and it seems to be how they operate best.

Manager: Oscar Tabarez

As mentioned above, Oscar Tabarez is something of an evil tactical genius. But the 66-year-old manager clearly knows what he’s doing. 

Tabarez’s first stint with Uruguay’s national team came 25 years ago when he led La Celeste to the round of 16 at the 1990 World Cup. He then took over as manager once again after Uruguay failed to reach the tournament in 2006. 

In his second stint, Tabarez carried Uruguay to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the 2011 Copa America. He knows how to approach tournaments and he knows how to ensure his side come up big when they need in most.

Projected Starting XI

GK : Fernando Muslera

RB: Maxi Pereira

CB: Diego Godin

CB: Diego Lugano

LB: Martin Caceres

DM: Arevalo Rios

RM: Cristian Rodriguez

LM: Alvaro Gonzalez

AM: Nicolas Lodeiro

ST: Edinson Cavani

ST: Luis Suarez

Projected Substitutes

GK: Martin Silva

GK: Rodrigo Munoz

DF: Jorge Fucile

DF: Jose Maria Gimenez

DF: Sebastian Coates

MF: Walter Gargano

MF: Alvaro Pereira

MF: Diego Perez

MF: Gaston Ramirez

FW: Diego Forlan

FW: Christian Stuani

FW: Abel Hernandez

The Captain: Diego Lugano

While Diego Lugano is as inspiring a captain as they come, this is a rare instance where a team’s captain is one of the weaker links in the team. 

Lugano, who was recently released by West Brom, is 33 years old and signs that he’s slowing down have been visible since the last World Cup. In numerous games, Lugano’s lack of pace has left Uruguay exposed at the back. And against European opponents with speedy strikers, it could prove costly.

However, with Tabarez consistently alternating between a back four and a back three, Uruguay need centre-backs who understand how to play well in both scenarios, and Lugano’s versatility will be of use in that regard.

The Star: Luis Suarez

No amount of words can accurately summarize just how vital Luis Suarez is to La Celeste's chances of success in Brazil.

Suarez’s eye for goal, technical ability, and unpredictability with the ball make him arguably the most dangerous striker on the planet. Uruguay are ridiculously fortunate to have a player of his caliber, especially when you consider their issues on the defensive end.

El Canibal finished as the top scorer in the South American qualifiers with 11 goals, including a four-goal performance at home versus Chile.

Uruguay supporters will undoubtedly be hoping that Suarez doesn’t find himself in another situation where his hands are needed to prevent elimination from the World Cup.

The Young Gun: Gaston Ramirez

Likely to come off the bench at the World Cup, Southampton’s Gaston Ramirez will be expected to provide a second-half spark should Uruguay find themselves struggling in Brazil. 

The 22-year-old has been groomed as the successor to Forlan, but Tavarez has recently opted to play without either of the two in the starting lineup. This is largely due to Ramirez not making the most of the opportunities the head coach has given him. The talent is clearly there, but things have yet to click between the attacking midfielder and his national team.

The Swan Song: Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan was the key man in Uruguay’s run to the semi-finals at the 2010 World Cup. But this time around, the 35-year-old wizard’s role in the team will be as an impact substitute.

Currently featuring for Japanese club Cerezo Osaka, Forlan has been a joy to watch over the past decade. His brilliance in front of goal helped Atletico Madrid win the Europa League in 2010, and months later, he finished as the joint top scorer at the World Cup, hitting the back of the net on five occasions. 

The fact that his career is its final stages is tough to accept, but if anyone can surprise the world on the biggest stage there is in football, it’s Forlan.

Trivial Matters:

Nicknames: La Celeste, Los Charruas

Most caps: Diego Forlan (107)

Top scorer: Luis Suarez (39)

First international: May 16, 1901. Uruguay 2 - Argentina 3

World Cup appearances: 11, beginning in 1930

Best World Cup result: Champions in 1930 and 1950

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