Uruguay’s style shone in Copa America win over Brazil, says Bielsa – ARN News Centre

Uruguay’s determination and resilience under pressure after being reduced to a man against Brazil in the Copa America quarter-finals on Saturday highlighted the team’s unique character, coach Marcelo Bielsa said.

Uruguay lost Nahitan Nandez to a red card following a VAR incident, leaving their team down to ten men in the final stages of the second half. However, they defended resolutely and decided the match on penalties, which they won 4-2.

“Everything that happens, happens Uruguayan style, because the players are the ones who give everything for the team,” Bielsa told reporters.

“It was a game with very few scoring chances, very contested, very close, even with very few changes of possession. When we were down one man, we decided to focus on defending in our half.

“To hold on to that result as the Uruguayan team did shows the profile of Uruguayan football. And they were very calm in the penalty shootout which requires not only accuracy but also character.”

Bielsa’s teams have traditionally been characterised by relentless attacking football and no team has scored more goals in the tournament than Uruguay, who scored nine times in the group stage.

But three consecutive clean sheets also helped Uruguay reach the semi-final against Colombia, with Bielsa praising his team’s mentality rather than taking credit for their defensive performance.

“I am more attracted to attacking than defensive play, but in a match as exciting as this one we created one more chance than our opponent and defended well,” Bielsa added.

“There was a Uruguayan coach who said that… I would learn to defend on the pitch and that is true, because Uruguay is very consistent in defence.

“They played against Mexico (in a friendly), the US and Brazil, and kept a clean sheet. I think defensively, not because I achieved it but because the players are naturally good at defending, they are very good at keeping a clean sheet.”