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Uruguay's players are reportedly in revolt against Marcelo Bielsa ahead of their final 2026 World Cup group match with Spain.
Uruguay would have been happy when the World Cup draw was made last December. Despite being placed in Group H alongside pre-tournament favourites Spain, Uruguay were easily expected to see off Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, and Saudi Arabia, the world's 61st best side.
However, Bielsa's side did not get the results they would have wanted from their opening two matches of the tournament.
Uruguay opened up their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. They then drew 2-2 with Cape Verde at Miami Stadium.
Those two disappointing results mean that Uruguay now need to avoid defeat to Spain to progress to the last 32 of the competition.
There has been chaos behind the scenes ahead of the crucial game with the reigning European champions, though.
Uruguay's Players 'Revolt Against Marcelo Bielsa'
Tensions are high in Uruguay ahead of their match against Spain, according to radio station Espectador Deportes, per ge.globo.
A group of Uruguay players, including Federico Valverde, Rochet, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur, summoned Bielsa for a meeting ahead of the match.
The players were unhappy with the intense training load and believed that some players had suffered injuries during preparation as a result.
Not only did the players request changes to the training load, they also urged Bielsa to make tactical changes so they could compete with Spain. They asked Bielsa if they could play in a low block and try and hurt their opponents on the counter.
Bielsa wasn't having any of it, though. He called a team meeting and said that they would play as they have been playing.
According to El Espectador, he also accused players of trying to get rid of him after he stopped calling up Luis Suárez and didn't include midfielder Nahitan Nández in the World Cup squad.
Bielsa wasn't done there, though, saying that he had orchestrated the careers of some national team players, such as Sebastián Cáceres and Maxi Araújo.
Some Uruguay players weren't happy at all and reportedly left the meeting immediately. Jose Maria Gimenez is said to have tried to defuse the situation, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts.
Marcelo Bielsa Speaks to Media Ahead of Spain Match
Bielsa is under no illusions as to how important their match against Spain is. In his pre-match press conference, he said, per Reuters: "We are approaching tomorrow's match as a final. One of the best ways to defend is to make sure the opponent has the ball for less time."
He also praised Spain boss, Luis de la Fuente. He added, per Yahoo!: "It seems to me that, with the type of soccer that he achieved with Spain, which is unique, and his entire work there, which is significant, it definitely doesn't reflect my own style.
"It’s a type of soccer a lot more beautiful than what I achieved with my team. The truth is that what he has accomplished with Spain is admirable.”
Transfer News & Rumours
Transfer News & Rumours