Uruguay head coach Diego Alonso believes his Actual Madrid star Federico Valverde is finest suited as a defensive midfielder, however that the staff might want to carry out higher as an entire to permit him to “shine extra”.
Alonso’s feedback got here after Monday’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Portugal, leaving Uruguay alongside Mexico and Tunisia as the one groups with out a purpose via two matches.
Following their failure to attain of their 0-0 opener towards South Korea, Uruguay had been well-handled by the Portuguese, controlling solely 40 per cent of the possession, though they solely narrowly trailed in anticipated objectives 1.33 to 1.27.
Not quick on expertise, Uruguay fielded a beginning XI that included Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and 135-cap veteran Edinson Cavani up entrance, whereas Tottenham’s Rodrigo Betancur partnered Valverde in midfield.
Having performed each in central midfield and on the wing for Madrid, Valverde was deployed within the engine room towards Portugal, and regardless of their desperation for objectives, Alonso made it clear that’s the place he feels the 24-year-old is Most worthy.
“I feel Federico has performed full matches with us within the qualifying spherical,” he mentioned. “He’s performed in the identical place, even enjoying increased up.
“I feel he performed as a defensive midfielder with a second pivot along with Bentancur. It’s the identical place that you just noticed at the moment. He was even enjoying increased up, or as a large midfielder.
“I feel his major ability is enjoying via the central lanes. With us, he’s confirmed an incredible efficiency in that place.
“Once you speak about taking pictures, I feel he shot as soon as [against Korea], it simply missed the highest nook. He was unfortunate he couldn’t rating.
“For us, he’s an vital participant with many expertise. When the staff performs higher, I’m certain he’ll shine extra.”
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Regardless of their lack of efficiency going ahead, Uruguay nonetheless have an opportunity to advance to the knockout stage if they’ll defeat Ghana of their ultimate Group H fixture – a rematch from 2010’s quarter-final the place Uruguay superior on penalties.
“We’re searching for victory towards Ghana, there is no such thing as a doubt about it,” Alonso mentioned. “If we have now to make slight modifications, that’s what we’ll do.
“We’ll present a staff all of the weapons we have now at hand, so I’ve full belief in my gamers. I’m certain the subsequent recreation will probably be onerous, however we’ll go all out in order that we have now a victory and we qualify.
“We’re speaking about qualifying or not qualifying. It was crucial again in [2010], however this can be a totally different scenario. It will likely be a vital recreation, however has nothing to do with what occurred 12 years in the past.
“We have to be happy and transfer freely as we performed throughout the second half towards Korea. We have to gamble extra and push ahead, enjoying in between the strains and going for one-on-ones on the edges.
“Typically, opponents additionally play, they cease you, they know that are your major expertise and so they attempt to counter your play. However we have to proceed trusting our staff, our expertise, the gamers we have now, and to additionally give them belief to develop their recreation.”