Uruguay

[La Furia]

Uruguay has a lot of talent in their starting line up, but little depth outside of forwards. Today they beat Israel 4-1 with a brace from El Loco Abreu and goals from sexygoalmachine Forlan and Pereira.

In qualifying they barely made the World Cup, but also showed the ability to beat any team in South America (and also lose to any team)

The 2 time world champions are bringing 23 of the following 26 players to South Africa:
Arqueros:
Fernando Muslera (Lazio, Italia)
Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali, Colombia)
Martín Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defensores:
Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce, Turquía)
Diego Godín (Villarreal, España)
Andrés Scotti (Colo Colo, Chile)
Jorge Fucile (Porto, Portugal)
Martín Cáceres (Juventus, Italia)
Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile)
Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica, Portugal)

Volantes:
Walter Gargano (Napoli, Italia)
Egidio Arévalo Ríos (Peñarol)
Sebastián Eguren (AIK Estocolomo, Suecia)
Diego Pérez (Mónaco, Francia)
Alvaro Pereira (Porto, Portugal)
Alvaro Fernández (Universidad de Chile)
Jorge Rodríguez (River Plate)
Alvaro González (Nacional)
Ignacio González (Valencia, España)
Nicolás Lodeiro (Ajax, Holanda)

Delanteros:
Luis Suárez (Ajax de Holanda)
Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid, España)
Sebastián Abreu (Botafogo, Brasil)
Edinson Cavani (Palermo, Italia)
Jorge Martínez (Catania, Italia)
Sebastián Fernández (Banfield, Argentina)

As you can see, tons of talented forwards and known defenders, but not much world class talent in the midfield; Tabarez went as far as playing Forlan in the midfield for qualifying. I think Sebastian Fernandez, Victorino and either Jorge Rodriguez or Egidio Arévalo Ríos will be cut in the final list.

 

[beef-supreme]

Team Forlan

Although defensively they are decent, funny thing is Alvaro Pereira, for example, is listed there as a midfielder - he is Porto's LB, he has to be played in midfield for Uruguay though.. You're right about the lack of midfield strength/depth.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

I love you Forlan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh sorry don't mind me...

 

[Ataraxia]

Their defense is pretty good so is their offense : I mean Suarez, Forlan, Cavani ( Abreu), that is magic. ( arguably better than Luis Fabiano-Robinho-Nilmar)

As for Martinez, they should play him in midfield to compensate, because he can be a good link between midfield and offense. If they can fight well in midfield since I see them topping their group even and going far. No reason not to.

 

[Guardian]

So Uruguay will be one of the less teams who still use 3 central defenders and wingbacks. Their first team should be like this

-----------------Muslera------------------
---------Lugano--Godin--Scotti---------
M. Perreira--Gargano--Perez--A.Perreira
------------I. Gonzalez-----------------
-------------Forlan----Suarez

In the second half with Israel they switched to 4-4-2, Lugano was replaced by Lodeiro and they operated more offensively, which was very productive, veteran Abreu scored a brace.
Uruguay have a great generation, but when you face the hosts, you can't expect good calls from the referees.
So I'd rather see Uruguay go through than France. Uruguay and SAR for the next stage!

 

[beef-supreme]

Even if South Africa get favourable calls they still won't go through, they suck.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

I really think it will be France and Uruguay. Mexico suck as shown in their two friendlies this week, and South Africa isn't good either.

 

[La Furia]

I'm still keeping up the faith that Uruguay and Mexico knock the cheaters out in the first round.

 

[diegomessi]

I'm still keeping up the faith that Uruguay and Mexico knock the cheaters out in the first round.

ME 2~~~~~!

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

oh dear I don't know how much you can count on Mexico...

 

[Lemmi]

even though he had an average season it is a shame that rodriguez from porto didnt make it because of his 2 game ban, im a big fan. also where is albin?

 

[diegomessi]

so excited for uruguay mexico... what a cracking match

 

[La Furia]

so excited for uruguay mexico... what a cracking match

This has potential to be a great match, both teams will probably use 3 man defenses and there will be craziness all around

 

[diegomessi]

This has potential to be a great match, both teams will probably use 3 man defenses and there will be craziness all around

Uruguay france will be pretty nice to, That is on the first day as well isnt it?

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Sadly I'll miss Uruguay v. France, gonna be at the Canadian Grand Prix F1 race... which is probably the only thing to me worth missing a WC match for