It’s not about stars: Suarez
Uruguay striker says club rivalry versus Ronaldo being pushed aside
SOCHI, Russia — Luis Suarez says any rivalry he may have with Cristiano Ronaldo is limited to their club teams playing the past four years in La Liga.
In other words, it won’t be Suarez vs. Ronaldo when Uruguay and Portugal meet in the World Cup round of 16 today, it’ll be team against team.
“When it comes to the rivalry with Ronaldo at club level that’s a different thing all together,” Suarez said.
“This is a World Cup and, of course, we’re all defending and we’re all working for our national teams, and that’s the essential aspect. And everybody will try and give their utmost (today) as to prevail.”
While Suarez seemed to play down or avoid questions about Ronaldo, it’s clear Uruguay must continue to have the tightest defence in the tournament to keep Ronaldo and others under control. Ronaldo scored four goals in Portugal’s first two group stage matches. Uruguay is the only team that didn’t concede a goal in the first round.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was complimentary of Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal squad, noting several times Uruguay will be facing the reigning champions of Europe. But he also admitted it’ll be a group effort trying to slow down Portugal’s star.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best strikers in the world,” Tabarez said. “There is not a single player that can contain him there. Not just (Diego) Godin. We will have to work collectively in order to try and contain him or in order to try and limit the effect he can have.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos knew the question about Portugal’s dependence on Ronaldo was coming, and said he even won a coffee because of it after making a bet with the team’s press officer ahead of Friday’s news conference.
“I have to repeat it time and time again,” Santos said. “He is the best player in the world in my opinion and it’s natural that the team depends on him, but you can ask the same question to Uruguay’s coach, too, if his team depends on Suarez or (Edinson) Cavani.…All great players are always very important to their teams.”
But Santos reiterated that not even Ronaldo can solve things by himself.
“If Cristiano plays by himself, Portugal is going to lose,” Santos said. “It’s impossible for a player to win by himself. Even if he scores three goals in match, you still need to have a team to support him.”
One player who could significantly help Uruguay in trying to contain Ronaldo is defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who missed the group stage finale with a thigh injury. Gimenez returned to training this week for Uruguay, but Tabarez wouldn’t respond to questions about his selection in the team.
“I don’t make comments on individual players at all.”