Uruguay Copa America 2024 squad guide: Buckle up as Bielsaball returns to the big stage — The Athletic 15/6/24
Felipe Cardenas
They have a joint-record 15 Copa America titles to their
name and Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. There’s more than one reason why Uruguay
are expected to go all the way in the United States this summer…
The manager
There are only a few managers at Copa America 2024 that need
no introduction.
Marcelo Bielsa is someone who is universally known for his
mercurial personality and stubborn tactical philosophy. The 68-year-old, who
revolutionized Chile’s national team and became a hero to Leeds United
supporters, now holds the keys to one of South America’s most promising squads.
When Bielsa accepted the Uruguay job just over a year ago,
he did so knowing that the small country (population: 3.4million; less than Los
Angeles) that borders his homeland of Argentina could be on the brink of
newfound glory.
But nothing comes easy in South American football.
Uruguay suffered through some growing pains at the start of
Bielsa’s tenure but back-to-back wins over Brazil and Argentina in World Cup
qualifying at the end of last year solidified the belief that he is the right
man for this job.
The household name you haven’t heard of yet
Uruguay are replete with experienced players but they’re not
a star-studded team. Of course, names such as Federico Valverde, Luis Suarez
and Darwin Nunez stand out for obvious reasons. Bielsa, though, will rely
heavily on playmaker Nicolas de la Cruz.
The 27-year-old is a recognizable figure for followers of
South American club football. De la Cruz won 10 trophies from 2017-23 with
River Plate in Argentina, becoming a dependable attacking piece during coach
Marcelo Gallardo’s tenure at the Buenos Aires club. De la Cruz can play behind
the strikers or as a right winger. He’s intelligent on the ball, which has made
him a versatile player in the attacking third.
Now with Brazilian side Flamengo, De la Cruz is an
established footballer with a championship pedigree. He will be one of Bielsa’s
go-to players at this Copa America.
Strengths
This small but talent-rich nation has always produced
hard-working players. Add legends such as Suarez, who received a surprise Copa
call-up at 37 years old after not being involved in their March friendlies or
the two pre-tournament warm-up games, and Edinson Cavani, who announced his
retirement from international football last month at the same age, and it’s
clear how deep Uruguay’s talent goes, despite the country’s limited resources.
One of Uruguay’s main strengths is their winning mentality,
with no game lost until the final whistle. Every challenge is a do-or-die
situation.
Uruguay have stumbled in major tournaments, though — most
recently at the 2022 World Cup, in which Uruguay, then led by manager Diego
Alonso, failed to advance from the group stage, winning one of their three
matches. Under Bielsa, Uruguay have introduced younger, more athletic players
to the senior national team.
Uruguay are pressing higher up the pitch but with speedy
wingers such as Facundo Pellistri and Brian Rodriguez, plus the direct running
of Nunez, can also counter effectively if forced to play in a low block. And as
you may suspect, they tend to defend their penalty area very well, with their
back line led by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
One more thing: watch out for Uruguay on attacking set
pieces.
Weaknesses
Bielsa’s stubborn tactics do tend to leave Uruguay in
vulnerable situations. They can get stretched and against teams that dominate
possession, Uruguay can become one-dimensional. Bielsa also requires his
defenders to play out of pressure, which provides triggers for the opposing
team’s own pressing tactics.
Other than that, Uruguay are a very sound team. However,
they have begun a new era in between the posts. Sergio Rochet has replaced
long-time goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The 31-year-old Rochet, who plays for
Brazilian side Internacional, is talented and he did unseat Muslera for the No
1 job at the 2022 World Cup.
Muslera was a veteran of four World Cup tournaments. He also
lifted a Copa America in 2011, keeping a clean sheet in Uruguay’s 3-0 win
against Paraguay in the final.
Rochet has big shoes to fill.
The thing you didn’t know
From 2006 to 2023, Uruguay’s kits were designed by Puma. The
national team’s classic light blue shirts and black shorts are an iconic look
in world football. Puma is also a well-recognized brand in the football world.
They’ve designed some memorable looks over the years but, in 2022, Puma’s World
Cup kits were among the worst at the tournament. An oversized team badge was
panned by fans and pundits alike.
In April, Uruguay’s FA signed with Nike — but the deal isn’t
permanent. Uruguay will wear Nike kits at this Copa America. but after the
tournament, their short-term contract with the U.S.-based company will end.
An open bid process will take place to determine the
kit-maker that will sponsor Uruguay through the 2026 World Cup. Nike could win
that bid, but if they don’t, Uruguay’s 2024 Copa America kits will become an
interesting collector’s item.
Expectations back home
When Bielsa was hired, the Uruguayan press was nearly
unanimously in favor of the decision. Some sectors of the press questioned
Bielsa’s methods, and the Argentinian’s nationality was a problem for others.
But, generally speaking, Uruguayans felt that Bielsa’s appointment confirmed
that they were a heavyweight in global football.
Uruguay are expected to reach the final of this Copa
America. They should expect nothing less based on their talent, their
footballing culture and the man in charge on the touchline.
In March, Bielsa told reporters he had not had sufficient
time to fully install his ideas. He then credited his players for executing his
tactics in spite of a congested calendar. “The Uruguayan footballer has
unconditional support for their national team, which leads to them prioritizing
their country over everything else,” said Bielsa.
And before a pre-Copa America friendly against Mexico on
June 5, Bielsa shuttered the idea that Uruguay were favourites to win the
competition. “Teams express themselves based on the quality of their players,”
Bielsa said. “National-team coaches are testimonial figures who have little
influence, both in the good and the bad.”
One should expect nothing less from Bielsa. But if that
commitment to the cause can align itself with his ideas, Uruguay may very well
be the story of the 2024 Copa America.
Uruguay’s Copa America squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Santiago Mele
(Atletico Junior), Franco Israel (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Jose Maria Gimenez
(Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Marichal (Dinamo Moscow), Matias Vina (Flamengo),
Lucas Olaza (Krasnodar), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Sebastian Caceres (Club
America), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Nahitan Nandez (Cagliari)
Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo
Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Emiliano
Martinez (Midtjylland), Nicolas de la Cruz (Flamengo), Giorgian de Arrascaeta
(Flamengo)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Inter Miami), Darwin Nunez
(Liverpool), Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Brian Rodriguez (Club
America), Brian Ocampo (Cadiz), Facundo Pellistri (Granada, on loan from
Manchester United), Maximiliano Araujo (Toluca), Cristian Olivera (LAFC).