The most winning team of the CONMEBOL Copa América, Uruguay, will debut this Sunday (22 hours, Brasilia´s time) against Ecuador, in the 46th edition of the tournament. The Uruguayans are with the idea of taking the first step towards to achieve their sixteenth trophy.
Fifteen times champions in the 1915, 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995 and 2011 edition, there is no other national football team more successful than Uruguay when it refers to the centennial edition of the continental tournament, the Argentinians follows them closely though with fourteen titles.
The insatiable goal hunger of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani is one of the main strengths of the à“scar Washington Tabárez's team in the opening of Group C. This match will be played in the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, this stage of the group are completed by Chile and Japan, whose kick off will be next Monday
Additionaly, Fernando Muslera offers security in the goal as well as José Marí Giménez and his captain, Diego Godín together conform one of the more powerful defenses of the tournament. The Youngster Rodrigo Betancourt shores up a new generation in the Uruguayan´s midfield.
"We arrive with a lot of enthusiasm, with hope and assuming the responsibility of this match (…), knowing the difficulties of winning a Copa America but also knowing how to play it and how inportnat it is for our people in Uruguay ", Suarez said in a news conference last Friday
The Barcelona´s striker was in doubt on the road to Brazil- 2019, after going through a surgery in May due to a knee injury, however, the striker feels ready. "I want to play the whole game", said the top scorer of the celeste team, with 56 goals in his career with the National Team.
He reappeared with a free- kick goal in the 27 minute, in the team´s last friendly match against Panamá with a 3- 0 victory.
- Reorganization -
Ecuador hope to move forward in the reorganization started under the lead of Hernán Dario 'Bolillo' Gómez with the aim of classifying to the Qatar´s next World Cup in 2022. The first stages of the South American World Cup qualification will start next year and Uruguay will be the Ecuadorians first test.
In the Tricolor squad, the striker Enner Valencia is the main hope of the ataccking with the support of Antonio Valencia and Ayrton Preciado on the sides of the pitch.
Gómez is awaiting for one of his key players in the milldfield: Jefferson Orejuela who ended up sored in the last friendly match before the start of the CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019. A 3-2 defeat of the ecuadorians against México. Orjuela gave positive signals in the last training sessions by working alongside his team mates.
Probable starting lineups
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Martín Cáceres, José Marí Giménez, Diego Godín, Diego Laxalt; Nahitán Nández, Matís Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Nicolás Lodeiro; Edinson Cavani y Luis Suárez.
Coach: Óscar Washington Tabárez.
Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez; José Quintero, Robert Arboleda, Gabriel Achillier, Beder Caicedo; Jefferson Intriago o Sebastián Méndez, Carlos Gruezo; Antonio Valencia, Ángel Mena, Ayrton Preciado; y Enner Valencia.
Coach: Hernán DarÃo 'Bolillo' Gómez.
Referee: Anderson Daronco (Bra.)
Linesmen: Marcelo Van Gasse and Kleber Lucio Gil (Bra,).
Stadium: Mineirao de Belo Horizonte, with a capaciy for 62.000 people.
Kick off: 19:00 local time (22:00 GMT)
