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Uruguay head coach Diego Alonso believes his Actual Madrid star Federico Valverde is finest suited as a defensive midfielder, however that the workforce 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 and not using a objective by means of two matches.
Following their failure to attain of their 0-0 opener in opposition to 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 in opposition to Portugal, and regardless of their desperation for objectives, Alonso made it clear that’s the place he feels the 24-year-old is most dear.
“I feel Federico has performed full matches with us within the qualifying spherical,” he mentioned. “He’s performed in the identical place, even enjoying greater 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 present. He was even enjoying greater up, or as a large midfielder.
“I feel his predominant talent is enjoying by means of the central lanes. With us, he’s confirmed an excellent efficiency in that place.
“Whenever you speak about capturing, 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 essential participant with many expertise. When the workforce performs higher, I’m certain he’ll shine extra.”
Portugal lead Group H. Who will be a part of them within the Spherical of 16?#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
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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 closing Group H fixture – a rematch from 2010’s quarter-final the place Uruguay superior on penalties.
“We’re in search of victory in opposition to Ghana, there isn’t a doubt about it,” Alonso mentioned. “If we have now to make slight modifications, that’s what we’ll do.
“We are going to present a workforce all of the weapons we have now at hand, so I’ve full belief in my gamers. I’m certain the subsequent sport shall be onerous, however we are going to go all out in order that we have now a victory and we qualify.
“We’re speaking about qualifying or not qualifying. It was essential again in [2010], however it is a completely different state of affairs. Will probably be a vital sport, however has nothing to do with what occurred 12 years in the past.
“We have to be happy and transfer freely as we performed in the course of the second half in opposition to Korea. We have to gamble extra and push ahead, enjoying in between the traces and going for one-on-ones on the edges.
“Generally, opponents additionally play, they cease you, they know that are your predominant expertise and so they attempt to counter your play. However we have to proceed trusting our workforce, our expertise, the gamers we have now, and to additionally give them belief to develop their sport.”
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