Uruguay’s defence ready for France’s unstoppable attack

Les Bleus pin hopes on Mbappe

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, July 4, (AFP): The buildup to Friday’s quarter-final clash between France and Uruguay has been dominated by individuals, but it may be the South Americans’ almost unbreachable four-man defence which decides the result.

While Uruguay sweat on the fitness of striker Edinson Cavani, it should be remembered that La Celeste’s progress in Russia has been built upon their defence as much as their A-list attack.

And while France pin their hopes on Kylian Mbappe, it is unlikely that the teenage superstar has encountered a defence quite like Uruguay’s.

The mouth-watering last-eight tie in Nizhny Novgorod is likely to be decided by a battle between Uruguay’s stifling backline and the speed of Mbappe, 19.

Led by captain Diego Godin, and including Jose Gimenez, Martin Caceres and Diego Laxalt, along with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Uruguay’s defence have the joint-best record at the World Cup.

They passed through the group stage without conceding a goal, and the only player to score against Uruguay was Portugal’s Pepe in the last 16, and that was ultimately in vain.

Brazil are the only other team to have conceded just the solitary goal so far.

Uruguay have conceded three fewer goals than France. Both teams have scored seven times.

Between them, the experienced defence have over 350 international caps between them. They are supremely well-organised and have already served notice that Mbappe will not have the same kind of freedom he enjoyed against Argentina.

“If you let France have space it will be very difficult,” Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez said after securing a place in the quarter-finals.

Godin

And he has also insisted that he is happy to cede possession to France in a bid to make the last four.

France’s conundrum against Uruguay is knowing best how to utilise Mbappe and his fellow attacking danger, Antoine Griezmann.

The French limped through their group stage but burst to life in their exhilarating 4-3 last-16 win over Argentina, inspired by Paris Saint-Germain’s $220 million (188-million-euro) Mbappe.

Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, has already indicated that he is expecting a different kind of game from “solid” Uruguay from the seven-goal thriller in Kazan.

The match is likely to be unsurprising, if not only for tactics, but also because of those involved.

Whoever — and however — decides the match is likely to have to get one over on a domestic teammate.

Cavani, who may play some part despite his calf injury, plays with Mbappe and PSG.

Godin and Gimenez are colleagues — and close friends — with Griezmann, Rodrigo Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi play for Juventus, while Luiz Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera reaches for the ball during a training session of Uruguay at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia on July 5. (AP) Suarez and French defender Samuel Umtiti play for Barcelona.

A self-confessed lover of all things Uruguayan, from grilled meat to bitter-tasting infusion mate, Griezmann knows not to expect any favourable treatment when confronted by close friend Godin in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final.

“Diego is a great friend. I am with him every day in Madrid,” Griezmann told reporters ahead of the clash in Nizhny Novgorod. “It is a nationality that I love, a people that I love. It will be a very emotional match for me.”

Griezmann’s love affair with Uruguay began when handed his breakthrough at Real Sociedad by Martin Lasarte in 2009.

Having spent his entire career in Spain, Griezmann has always had a steady stream of Uruguayan teammates.

He began drinking mate at Sociedad with former Uruguay striker Carlos Bueno and was persuaded to join Atletico in 2014 by Godin.

“He says he is Uruguayan,” said Godin. “He made his debut with Martin Lasarte and had a lot of time for him.

“He has always been surrounded by Uruguayan players. He likes how we are and our customs: eating the barbecue, our music, he even drinks more mate than me!”

At Atletico, Griezmann is the star and top scorer. Godin, though, is the embodiment of the dogged, determined and defensively brilliant side Diego Simeone has created in the Spanish capital.

“They will waste time, they will fall down, surround the referee. It’s their game, it’s the same at Atletico,” said Griezmann.

“The match will be boring, they will want us to fall into their trap.”

Much as they may not seem it, those are meant as words of respect. Griezmann turned down overtures from Barcelona to commit his future to Atletico just before his World Cup began.

Griezmann turned down overtures from Barcelona to sign a new deal at Atletico just days after the World Cup began.

France’s Kylian Mbappe jokes with teammates during a training session at

the 2018 soccer World Cup in Glebovets, Russia on July 2. (AP)