The secrets that make Uruguay a deadly force
LA GARRA CHARRUA is the unique fighting spirit of the Uruguayan people, nurtured by Oscar Tabarez as he set out to restore the fortunes of a small but proud football nation. When the players emerged from the dressing rooms having beaten Portugal here on Saturday to reach the last eight in the World Cup, they did so as one, with folk music blaring from a speaker carried by Cristian Rodriguez. Not only did it signal celebration but also imposed their identity on the moment as the players, smart in their team blazers and slacks, stopped to chat before heading back to their no-frills HQ, the Sports Centre Borsky, at Nizhny Novgorod. Uruguay tend not to linger in six-star luxury. They prefer to create a humble home-fromhome. So they shipped over 400lb of the yerba mate tea they cannot do without, and 70lb of dulce de leche, a sweet caramel spread. When they compete in training, it is done with meaning. So the losing side in a practice match will don aprons in the evening and serve dinner to the victors. Led on the field by the skipper, Diego Godin, they are under no illusions about their mission in Russia. ‘We did not hold back,’ Tabarez said. ‘When I walked out to the pitch I could hear our captain saying we were playing for our fathers and mothers and neighbours and brothers and we must give our best.’
OSCAR TABAREZ . . .
The World Cup’s Jedi Master. As his body becomes frail — he suffers from Guillain–Barré syndrome, which damages the body’s nerve systems, and needs a stick to walk — his mind remains powerful. Tabarez, 71, commands the complete respect of his players, and the Uruguayan media, who address him as El Maestro, inspired by his past as a teacher. His first spell in charge took in Italia 90. This spell, his second, has lasted more than 12 years, and he brought huge success, reaching the World Cup semifinal in 2010, winning the Copa America a year later and leading a nation of only 3.6million with a rich football heritage back towards the top of the sport.
TACTICS . . .
Possession is over-rated according to El Maestro. ‘There is very often this mistaken assumption that ball possession leads to scoring opportunities,’ Tabarez said after beating Portugal despite having less than 40 per cent of the ball. ‘In Italy, ball possession is not worshipped as elsewhere. In the South Africa World Cup in 2010, we reached the semi-finals but only South Africa themselves had less ball possession than us. ‘You can still inflict yourself on opponents but you have to be very strong in defence and have good individual quality and skill in the defensive line.’
STRONG IN DEFENCE . . .
Pepe’s equaliser for Portugal in Sochi was the first goal conceded by Uruguay since November. Godin and Jose Gimenez, Atletico Madrid’s centre-backs, defend as if lives depend on it. They do not overplay, and put it into Row Z when needed. Or go long.
A SIEGE MENTALITY . . .
At the World Cup in 2014, I was one of two English journalists marched out of the Uruguay team camp by armed guards. We had attended a press conference with Tabarez and Diego Lugano, but were not welcome to stay to hear Luis Suarez, who had missed the opener against Costa Rica but was winning his battle with a knee injury ahead of the England game.
DISCIPLINE . . .
Uruguay can be physical and cynical. It is part of their football culture. They have suffered image problems ever since the 1986 World Cup when they got as many red cards as they scored goals, including Jose Batista, dismissed after less than a minute against Scotland. Attempts to rebrand were not helped by Suarez’s antics in South Africa and Brazil. But one yellow card in four games is a distinct change from the past.
EMERGING TALENT . . .
Six of the squad have more than 100 caps each, but the midfield quartet are playing in their first World Cup: Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus, Torreira, set to join Arsenal from Sampdoria, Matias Vecino of Inter, and Nahitan Nandez of Boca Juniors.
SUAREZ-CAVANI . . .
Two of the world’s deadliest strikers, with a terrific understanding, turn this decent unit into something special. Portugal’s Bernardo Silva explained what they are like to play against: ‘Some attacking players don’t defend as much as they attack, but these guys work so much for the team. ‘They create so many problems.’