Uruguay coach Diego Alonso believes he has "the best players in the world", whose fierce national pride makes them contenders for the title of world champion!
The former player of Valencia and Atletico Madrid, who established himself as a coach in "all three Americas" (North, Central, South), leading the Uruguayan Peñarol, the Mexican Monterrey and Pacha, and recently Inter Miami from the MLS, said these "strong" words in the announcement of today's match of the 1st round of Group H against South Korea at the "Education City" stadium (14 p.m.).
"I don't think I'm arrogant. When I say that the Uruguayan players are the best in the world, it's because they are my players," said Alonso, who succeeded the "eternal" Oscar Tabares (he was coach for 15 years in a row) on the bench of the national team last year.
The 47-year-old expert compared the relationship with football players to "the love he feels for his children".
"The most important tool we have is a sense of belonging to the nation. Football players identify with their country, with millions of fans. That's why I say that Uruguayan footballers are the best footballers", Alonso added in incredible national enthusiasm.
The Urus were world champions in 1930 and 1950 - and are still the smallest nation (population 3,5 million) to win the Golden Goddess. However, so many years have passed, these are different times, but it is not a rare case that on the eve of the start of major competitions in the country of the first world champions, they invoke the "ghosts of the past".
The greatest success since 1950 was achieved by "la seleste" in 2010, when it was fourth.
"We are very excited, we have that enthusiasm that you usually feel before the first match, a feeling that we all share. The first game is the moment of truth and we will speak on the pitch, added Alonso.
He chose a team with a big difference in age - six players are over 35, among them the "sanator" Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin. As many as 13 football players, on the other hand, are on the list for the World Cup for the first time, and they are led by Liverpool striker Darwin Nunes.
South Korea, on the other hand, wants to do what Japan did yesterday - knock off the former world champion. Much will depend on the condition of the best player Son, who broke his cheek bone before the World Cup, and whether he will be ready for the "Urus" is still a question.
"Son can play with a protective mask, I don't think it will reduce his lethality," said Korea coach Paulo Bento.
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