International Friendly: Uruguay vs. Ukraine

[foxfang4]

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva, (Olimpia).

Defenders: Diego Lugano (PSG), Diego Godin, (Atletico Madrid), Andres Scotti, (Colo Colo), Martin Caceres (Sevilla), Jorge ***ile, (Porto), Sebastian Coates, (Liverpool ),

Midfielders: Maximiliano Pereira, (Benfica), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Diego Perez (Bologna), Sebastian Eguren (Sporting Gijon), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Cristian Rodriguez (Porto), Gaston Ramirez (Bologna), Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)

Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Napoli), Sebastian Fernandez (Malaga), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Diego Forlan, (Inter Milan).

Bold= "new players" (Non Copa America playerS)

Probable Starting lineup? xi.

Muslera (Galatasaray, TUR)
Lugano (C) (Paris SG, FRA)
Coates (Liverpool, ENG)
M. Pereira (Benfica, POR)
Caceres (Sevilla, SPA)
Perez (Bologna, ITA)
Gargano (Napoli, ITA)
A. Pereira (Porto, POR)
A. Gonzales (Lazio, ITA)
Forlan (Inter Milan, ITA)
Suarez (Liverpool, ENG)

This is basically the Copa America final team. Who knows though, this is a friendly so Tabarez could experiment. ***ile (who had a good game vs. Barcelona) could start instead of Caceres. Ramirez could always start, so can Cavani.

Game is next Friday!!!!


PS- After this month's transfer window, this is where the majority of our CopA America final team starters play.

Italy: 4 players
England: 2
Portugal: 2
Turkey: 1
Spain: 1

Almost our entire midfield plays in Italy.

[JustinTime]

The Russian Clones will get steam rolled!

[foxfang4]

What? No way man. This isn't Argentina, nor Brazil. They think they have a birthright to win because of their history. We may have a great history, and currently a very competitive team, but we are not above losing to any nation worldwide.

This is what separates us from that scum ***k arrogance the Argies or Brazilians bring. Other nations have their dignity too.

[zigzagzig]

I think Tabarez should be starting Godin ahead of coates if he is fit... I doubt he will drop Godin as a starter for the qualifiers.. I'm guessing Suarez will only play a half, likewise most of the team. ***ile is out.

I know it won't happen, but personally I would have:

-----------Muslera

Caceres--Lugano-Godin--A Pereira

--------Perez-----Gargano

--Maxi------------------Ramirez

---------Suarez--Forlan

More creativity in midfield, and I like Mono higher up the pitch. I remember him being good against Germany in the WC.

Forlan will get a start, but i can't wait for a Cavani-Suarez partnership

[foxfang4]

Team confirmed:
--------- Muslera
--------- Pereira--------- Lugano--------- Godín--------- Cáceres
---------Perez---------Eguren
---------A. González---------C. Rodríguez
---------Suarez---------Cavani

Eguren it is.....ooook

[Suavecito]

Urugol.com said a couple of days ago Forlan was not going.

[foxfang4]

Uruguay 3- Ukraine 2!!!!
WWWWWOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!! WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!!!! QUE GRANDE URUGUAY!!! I'm so proud!!!

From the 1st second of the game (almost literally ) , when they scored, you could tell that they were more motivated for this game than they probably had been in years. They were bigger and faster almost on a player by player basis. The attitude shown by Uruguay today was something to be incredibly proud of.

[foxfang4]

I gotta say, I get furious with these guys during the game, but after, no matter how bad they've played, I still love everyone of these guys to death.


Player rating

Muslera- 9 , My god what a beast. That double save he pulled at the start of the 2nd half was truly something special.

Lugano- 7- Had problems with their defenders, made a few typical bad interception attempts, but all in all held the team well.

Godin- 7- All in all solid.

Maxi Pereira 8 You can always count on Maxi. He never does the obvious "safe" play and is always very very smart with possession. (save for the first goal). Love this guy to death. Personification of Class on the field.

Caceres - 5 His worst game. He was dancing all game with the Ukrainian winger.

Ruso- 7 , to be honest, my stream was a bit off, so I didn't notice him much, but the few offensive plays he was involved in , he seemed fine. Stole a few key balls and worked his ass off to close down space (which was needed basically for 100% of the game, blocking wave after wave of Ukrainian attack).

Eguren- , ok ....6.5 . He did what he had to do. Again, tough to notice him from my stream, except for the odd fouls he committed.

A. Gonzales- 7 Played well. Impressed with this guy more and more. He was very clever when pressing the Ukrainian defenders, and scored a goal.

Cebolla- 6- Rough night for Cebolla. Seemed out of it, and couldn't keep up with the pace/strength of the Ukrainians.

Suarez- 10- Monster. What a monster. He was involved in EVERYTHING. Non stop fighting, creativity. Loved his shielding and clever turns to continue the offensive momentum. His pass at the end (the game winning pass) was just on an elite level.

Cavani - 6.5. I thought he played fine. He caused problems for the Swedish players. He doesn't seem to ever play his natural position with us. In Napoli, he runs back , sure, but always finds himself waiting for service instead of giving it from crosses, etc.
----
Abel- 7.5, just for that cool goal.

Coates-- Didn't get much time to see what he was capable of this game. He did control the game well at the end, so full credit for that.

[foxfang4]

To be honest, they were really outrunning us in the 1st half, pressuring like their lives depended on it. Was incredible to see Uruguay so comfortable controlling the game in the 2nd half. You really felt that we were going to win it at any second.

Ukraine's recent record is not very impressive, but having watched them vs. Italy/Sweden recently.....they played this game like it was their World Cup final.


Credit to their great great play in the 1st half. They must be devastated losing after having basically everything go their way for the first 45 minutes.

[Suavecito]

Missed most of the game. I watched it over a messed up stream while trying to hide it from my boss. I did get to see the Lugano and Joya goal. So glad we won.

[JustinTime]

I knew Uruguay would win. Ukraine got lucky...russian clones...