Marcelo Bielsa ‘facing revolt’ before Uruguay’s World Cup decider | OneFootball

Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly facing a player revolt in the Uruguay camp hours before their World Cup decider with Spain, after injuries were said to have been suffered during intense training sessions.

El Espectador claims that Bielsa accused some players of trying to oust him after he left out Luis Suarez and Nahitan Nandez, and that he cited Maxi Araujo and Sebastian Caceres as careers he believes he has shaped.

Progression to the knockouts could hinge on Saturday morning's match. Uruguay are second in Group H with two points from two games after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia and 2-2 against Cape Verde.

Senior figures including Federico Valverde, Rochet, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur are said to have met Bielsa to complain about the workload and to push for tactical tweaks. The coach is said to have convened his own meeting, reportedly rejecting a low block and preferring to persist with his approach.

Speaking before the game, Bielsa framed it as a final and argued that limiting the European champions' time on the ball is among the best defensive tools. He also praised Luis de la Fuente's side as unique, more beautiful than his own, and admirable.

Uruguay face Spain at Estadio Guadalajara at one am BST on Saturday. At the same time in Houston, Cape Verde meet Saudi Arabia as Group H concludes.

Source: Leeds Live