Uruguayan football coach Diego Alonso predicted this Sunday a “balanced game” against Portugal “like everyone else” in the 2022 World Cup and praised the “volatility” of options in the Portuguese team.
“We respect all competitors. We have already seen the balance that has been tested in the games at this World Cup. In fact, Portugal also had difficulties with Ghana. We want to win, that’s why we’re here, but we know that everyone is doing their best and any result is possible,” he said at a press conference.
Alonso, who announced the Group H second round match scheduled for Monday, highlighted the Portuguese players’ “in-depth knowledge” of each other, coupled with the longevity of Fernando Santos at the helm of Quinas.
“They have a lot of variability in the game, they are a full-fledged team, very good. In addition to all their personalities, they also have a coach who led them for a long time. But we also have our weapons, our virtues, which makes us equally dangerous,” said the 47-year-old former footballer who played for clubs such as Valencia, Atlético de Madrid or Peñarol.
Diego Alonso, who took over from the “legendary” Oscar Tabares at the head of the Charruis late last year, refused, even if there is some point of comparison with the duel of the two teams at the 2018 World Cup, in which the Uruguayans won 2-1 and eliminated the Portuguese in the 1/8 finals.
“All games have different stories. I don’t think this game will be the same. There are many different players of that time. We will try to be competitive and win the game, which will certainly be very balanced,” he suggested. that having Sporting CP players Coates and Ugarte and former Benfica player Darwin Nunez “is not an advantage” in terms of knowledge of the Portuguese team.
Portugal and Uruguay will play on Monday at 22:00 local time (19:00 Lisbon) at the Lusail Stadium in the second round match of Group H of the 2022 World Cup.
Kinas, who beat Ghana 3-2 on their debut, lead the group with three points, ahead of South Korea, Paulo Bento, and Uruguay, both by one point, while the Ghanaians, who face the South Koreans in the same day follow “zero”.
The 22nd World Cup will last until December 18 in Qatar.