September 9, 2024, 3:34 PM
September 9, 2024, 3:34 PM
Hit by a plague of casualties, Uruguay This Tuesday, Venezuela will face a South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup against a team that is trying to recover its breath after being thrashed 4-0 by Bolivia at 4,150 meters above sea level in El Alto.
The team coached by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa arrives at this event at the Monumental Stadium in the city of Maturín, for the eighth date of the Pre-World Cup, in the second place in the table with 14 points, only behind world champion Argentinawhich collects 18 units.
Venezuela occupies the fifth position, with nine.
– “Alternatives” to compete –
The 0-0 draw with Paraguayin the farewell match of star Luis Suárez with the Celeste, brought two new absences for the Uruguayan national team.
Midfielder Federico Valverde and right back Nahitan Nández are serving suspensions against Venezuela for accumulating yellow cards and are added to the absences of Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ronald Araújo, Mathias Olivera and Jose Maria Gimenezwho are facing sanctions for a fight with fans in the stands during their match against Colombia in the semi-finals of the last Copa América.
“There are players who play regularly “We are not going to count on them, but after a year of work it is mandatory in a management like the one I am carrying out to generate alternatives that allow us to compete,” said Bielsa.
If we are talking about alternatives, the center forward position opens up notable opportunities for the Uruguayan team.
Without Núñez and after Suárez’s departure, Miguel Merentiel and U-20 World Cup champion Luciano Rodríguez are options to play in attack alongside regular wingers Facundo Pellistri and Maximiliano Araújo.
Bielsa, on the other hand, recovers Guillermo Varela, who could occupy Nández’s position as right back.
The coach showed respect for Venezuela After the setback against Bolivia: “They played at altitude, which always distorts the result.”
“I trust the boys more than ever. I’m very calm”said the Vinotinto coach, Argentine Fernando ‘Bocha’ Batista, in a press conference, as a sign of support for his players after the tough defeat suffered at altitude.
“We didn’t have our best game”the coach concluded, calling for “turning the page.”
The only country in South America that has never qualified for the World Cup, Venezuela will try to fill its lungs with oxygen again, After a good start in qualifying and a Copa América in which they had a perfect group stage, with a full nine points, although they fell by the wayside in the quarter-finals, dispatched in a penalty shoot-out by Canada.
The kick-off for the match will be at 18:00, with refereeing by Brazilian Raphael Claus.
– Probable lineups:
Venezuela: Coach: Fernando Batista.
