Uruguay players ‘to push’ Bielsa for tactical changes before Spain game | OneFootball

Uruguay have stumbled through their first two group games and a defeat to Spain would knock them out, just as unity has frayed with players confronting Marcelo Bielsa.

El Espectador reports that Fede Valverde, Bentancur, Sergio Rochet and Ugarte met Bielsa after Thursday’s training to express dislike of his methods and to push for tactical tweaks for Saturday’s match, including a counter-attacking plan.

They complained about the intensity of sessions and injuries suffered by team-mates. Bielsa then gathered the full squad and spoke for almost an hour, chastising those who had previously tried to oust him and saying he had helped players such as Maxi Araujo and Cáceres.

Fede Valverde has been unavailable for Uruguay due to physical discomfort.

At his pre-match press conference, Bielsa did not address the reported rift. He argued Uruguay have been physically superior and that fitness is not an issue, and he praised Luis De La Fuente’s Spain as playing exquisite football, more attractive than his side’s. He said the plan is to restrict Spain’s time on the ball and confirmed Uruguay will not counterattack.

Despite failing to win so far at this World Cup, he said their chance creation offers positive expectations. Uruguay play for a last 32 place at Estadio Akron overnight Friday to Saturday, with kick-off at two in the morning Spanish time. It remains unclear whether the players will accept his instructions or act on their own.

Source: Superdeporte