According to RMC, Uruguay is in turmoil after two draws in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and before the crucial match against Spain, columnists have called for players to defy Bielsa.
Uruguay faces elimination before their final FIFA World Cup group stage match, scheduled for Saturday at 2 AM Beijing time against Spain in Guadalajara, Mexico. Uruguay's performance has been disappointing, with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia and a 2-2 draw against Congo DR. To advance to the Round of 16, Uruguay must win or secure a draw while hoping Saudi Arabia and Congo DR produce the same result. Media criticism has also targeted head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
"Let him stay in the closet!"
Bielsa has faced criticism over his communication style, the team's tactical approach, and his decision to call up players who were not fully fit. The coach, who managed Marseille from 2014 to 2015, is now also embroiled in reports of renewed friction with the locker room, following previous conflicts with star player Luis Suárez. According to reports, the Uruguayan team met with Bielsa after the draw with Congo DR.
Some media outlets cited alleged reports from El Observador de Uruguay, claiming that several players angrily left a meeting after Bielsa responded to their demands for tactical changes with a 50-minute speech. However, this claim has not been substantiated by articles or mentions from that outlet. Instead, a columnist from the "Fútbol en Voz Alta" program genuinely proposed the idea of players being "anti-Bielsa."
Journalist and presenter Julio Ríos, in remarks reported by La Gaceta de Uruguay, stated: "Now is the time for players to deviate from the coach and play the way we should, as we always have." He continued: "Under the coach's instructions, we are one of the worst teams in this tournament. It's painful to watch Uruguay play."
FA acknowledges "tense atmosphere"
Ríos then called for senior players in the locker room to stage a "coup" against the head coach. "Guys, let's play our way," he said. "What the coach says is his business; let him stay in the closet."
According to Ríos, if Uruguay is eliminated, Bielsa will step down while the players bear the consequences of the disaster. He said: "This is the last match. We will fight with all our might."
Ríos also criticized Bielsa's squad selection and accused him of poor load management in training, which led to injuries for several key players. He said: "The players are what matter."
"We looked each other in the eye and said what we wanted to say"
On the eve of the crucial Spain match, Bielsa held a press conference, stating that Uruguay would continue to pursue an aggressive playing style. He analyzed: "Spain's game is built on passing. We must defend well. One of the best ways to defend is to minimize the opponent's possession, which is what we will attempt. We will do what we believe is most beneficial to create an advantage. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. If the idea against Spain is to give them possession and let them maintain continuous control, then everything will be in their favor. If we are forced to play that way, which is absolutely not our intention—quite the opposite—then we also know that in such a game, we must accept difficulties, and the challenge will be greater. Spain is weaker when they have less possession."
Although Bielsa did not discuss a possible dismissal, sources within the Uruguayan Football Association told El Observador that after the draw with Cape Verde, there was a "tense atmosphere" within the team and "several verbal exchanges" between players. The Uruguayan Football Association, however, insists that the team remains united and confident. Forward Rodrigo Aguirre sought to confirm this when speaking to the media on Thursday. "We are very confident," he said. "In private, we looked each other in the eye and said what we needed to say. What you see is different from us: for us, this is a chance to qualify. Our history has always been this way—fight until the end. As long as the result is in our hands, it's just a football match. We always look each other in the eye and believe in ourselves." The media's confidence in Bielsa, however, was not as strong.
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com
Jaheem100
0
Watching Switzerland is even worse, despite them scoring multiple goals