NAUGHTY NAUGHTY
Uruguay cannot wait to unleash Nunez & Suarez but their boss says: They are my children, but not always well behaved
DIEGO ALONSO is licking his lips at the prospect of pairing Uruguayan hotshots Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez.
The Liverpool strikers from past and present will spearhead the two-time winners’ assault on the competition.
With Edinson Cavani likely to act as understudy, coach Alonso (below) has plenty of options up front.
He said: “With our strikers, our plan is to put a good performance together in the first game – we’re excited with what we can produce.
“They give us peace of mind. We have flexibility – but we also have goalscoring opportunities, not only with our strikers but also with other players.
“We’re good defensively, logically this will make us a very competitive team.”
Uruguay have had a chequered past during past competitions.
Suarez infamously bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil eight years ago and Jose Batista’s red card inside the first minute back in 1986 proves they can mix it.
Alonso admits the squad is ageing but it is packed full of quality. Suarez, 35, returned to his homeland to prepare for these finals with Nacional while former Atletico Madrid star Diego Godin, 36, who overcame tendonitis, has also gone the extra mile to be ready.
Alonso added: “When I say they are the best in the world, I’m talking about for me.
“They are my players, my children. They are probably not the best-behaved in the world. But they’re mine – that’s why they are the best.
“I’m not talking out of arrogance here. But of feeling.
“They are in exceptional condition. They’ve prepared themselves conscientiously. With the exception of one injured player, there’s not one of them who is not in his best form.”
Alonso succeeded Oscar Tabarez, whose reign came to an end after 15 years, and his side powered into the finals by winning their last four qualification games.
Godin said: “It’s one thing to suffer – another to enjoy it. We went through so many tough moments.
“We took so much criticism. We were out. Our coach left, we had a big weight on our shoulders.
“I’m not euphoric to be here, it was just a relief. We have reached the goal our country was dreaming of and I can assure you I’m enjoying this.”