Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Cavani as decisive factor – Uruguay squad

Uruguay has released their preliminary 27 man roster for the upcoming Copa América. PSG star striker Edinson Cavani will carry a lot of the offensive weight, he is the only player who has scored more than 10 goals for Uruguay in this squad (25). The suspension of Luis Suárez and the retirement of Diego Forlán puts the full spotlight on him. Nevertheless the squad as a whole is very experienced, many players played at least one World Cup, some even two.

Fernando Muslera is the face in goal that you will remember from the world stage in 2010 and 2014. In addition he played when Uruguay won the Copa América in 2011. Nowadays he is under contract at Galatasaray in Turkey. His competition Martín Silva and Rodrigo Muñoz will most likely not have a chance for the starting job, as they are both older and a lot less experienced.

The defense is their best part of the team. Captain Diego Godín (photo below) will form an excellent pairing in the middle with club colleague Giménez. Both Pereiras could fill the fullback positions. There are less experienced alternatives in the squad, one will have to see how coach Oscár Tabárez views the situation.

BRASIL FÚTBOL MUNDIAL 2014

The most experienced midfielder played 83 games for Uruguay: Christian Rodríguez. He is on loan from Atlético Madrid to Brazil’s Grêmio right now. Arévalo Ríos, Gargano and Álvaro González complete the “Over 50 caps” club in Uruguay’s midfield. The – for me – most exciting player to watch is Nicolás Lodeiro, who has fit in nicely at Boca Juniors and is getting his nice share of games there. He’s talented and creative and will have to do well for his country to be a constant threat offensively. While we are in Buenos Aires, look out for Sánchez, who is 30 already with only 3 international games, but is having a great season for River Plate.

Up front, the main factor for the team could well be the form in that Edinson Cavani arrives at the Copa. If he can perform up to his standard that is often seen in France, Uruguay will be able to replace the missing Suárez. Depth wise, Rolán is their best bet up front, might play as second striker or be the first option from the bench. He as well plays in France for Bordeaux.

One can point out that only one player of the whole team plays in Uruguay’s Primera Division. Here is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martín Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Muñoz (Libertad).

Defenders: Maxi Pereira (Benfica), Diego Godín (Atlético Madrid), Álvara Pereira (Estudiantes), Jorge Fucile (Nacional), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Sebastián Coates (Sunderland), Matías Aguirregaray (Estudiantes), Mathías Corujo (Universidad de Chile), Emiliano Velázquez (Getafe), Gastón Silva (Torino).

Midfielders: Christian Rodríguez (Grêmio), Egidio Arévalo Ríos (Tigres), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Álvaro González (Torino), Nicolás Lodeiro (Boca), Camilo Mayada (River Plate), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro), Carlos Sánchez (River Plate), Guzmán Pereira (Universidad de Chile).

Strikers: Edinson Cavani (PSG), Christian Stuani (Espanyol), Abel Hernández (Hull City), Diego Rolán (Bordeaux), Jonathan Rodríguez (Benfica).

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