World Cup qualifiers: Suarez returns for Uruguay against Brazil
Striker completes nine-match ban for biting Chiellini during 2015 World Cup
Suarez speaks at a press conference in the Complejo Celeste in Montevideo after the national team’s practice ahead of their clash with Brazil. PHOTO: AFP
CANELONES:
Having purged his nine-match ban for biting at the 2014 World Cup, star Uruguay and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is both nervous and excited ahead of a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Brazil today in Recife.
Suarez has scored 37 goals for Barcelona this season, but has not played for Uruguay since biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup 20 months ago.
The 29-year-old is also widely feared for his chaos causing runs and astonishing range of strikes, and is relishing a chance to attack Brazil’s weak spot, their defence, while also being anxious that the occasion may get the better of him.
Suarez says he won't change his game on return from bite ban
“I’m going to try and control the anxiety and nervousness that other people’s excitement may make me feel,” said Suarez, who vowed his nine-match suspension from international football would not moderate his on-the-edge style.
“I’ll just keep running, pressuring and arguing,” he promised. “With more moderation, just like I do at Barcelona.”
Without their wayward striker, Uruguay have played with Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and got off to a good start in the 10-team Latin American 2018 World Cup qualifying group.
Messi, Suarez 'penalty of the century' rehearsed, reveals Neymar
Uruguay sit second on nine points from four games, three behind Ecuador but two ahead of today’s opponents Brazil, Paraguay and continental champions Chile.
“Brazil are the home team and they have major strong points, which are in the midfield,” said Suarez. “But we were always strong defensively.”
Not without a certain relish for a striker who moves forward with hunger and gusto, Suarez then suggested Brazil had ‘defensive weaknesses that we will try to take advantage of’.
Suarez, Messi hat-tricks hit Neville's Valencia for seven
The former Liverpool striker said his coach, Oscar Tabarez, had been focussing on the Brazil back-line in tactical briefings.
He also revealed the light-hearted side of the game when he revealed he and Barcelona teammate Neymar were looking forward to the challenge of facing off, with the loser promising to treat the winner to a burger.
“We’ll both be doing our best for our countries,” he insisted.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2016.
Having purged his nine-match ban for biting at the 2014 World Cup, star Uruguay and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is both nervous and excited ahead of a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Brazil today in Recife.
Suarez has scored 37 goals for Barcelona this season, but has not played for Uruguay since biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup 20 months ago.
The 29-year-old is also widely feared for his chaos causing runs and astonishing range of strikes, and is relishing a chance to attack Brazil’s weak spot, their defence, while also being anxious that the occasion may get the better of him.
Suarez says he won't change his game on return from bite ban
“I’m going to try and control the anxiety and nervousness that other people’s excitement may make me feel,” said Suarez, who vowed his nine-match suspension from international football would not moderate his on-the-edge style.
“I’ll just keep running, pressuring and arguing,” he promised. “With more moderation, just like I do at Barcelona.”
Without their wayward striker, Uruguay have played with Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and got off to a good start in the 10-team Latin American 2018 World Cup qualifying group.
Messi, Suarez 'penalty of the century' rehearsed, reveals Neymar
Uruguay sit second on nine points from four games, three behind Ecuador but two ahead of today’s opponents Brazil, Paraguay and continental champions Chile.
“Brazil are the home team and they have major strong points, which are in the midfield,” said Suarez. “But we were always strong defensively.”
Not without a certain relish for a striker who moves forward with hunger and gusto, Suarez then suggested Brazil had ‘defensive weaknesses that we will try to take advantage of’.
Suarez, Messi hat-tricks hit Neville's Valencia for seven
The former Liverpool striker said his coach, Oscar Tabarez, had been focussing on the Brazil back-line in tactical briefings.
He also revealed the light-hearted side of the game when he revealed he and Barcelona teammate Neymar were looking forward to the challenge of facing off, with the loser promising to treat the winner to a burger.
“We’ll both be doing our best for our countries,” he insisted.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2016.