“That line-up didn’t suit him, he had no chance”, harsh criticism of the former Uruguayan national team player Marcelo Bielsa for the defeat against Ecuador

Uruguay went down 2-1 against Ecuador in Marcelo Bielsa’s second game in charge of the light blue side in qualifying. One of the former Uruguayan national team players who reacted to the defeat is Gustavo Poyet, who led Universidad Católica in 2021.

In the analysis of the Uruguayan presentation in Quito, the current coach of the Greek team criticized the eleven that Bielsa put on the field. “If you give me the line-up with those who have been called up, I think I have included four, five or six of those that Bielsa has included. That schedule didn’t suit him, he had no chance,” said Poyet.

“It will be the easiest qualification in history, because two more qualify, from that aspect it would be a disaster not to go to this World Cup,” added the former striker in relation to the future of the Uruguayan team on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Also, Poyet referred to the exclusion of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani in Uruguay. Bielsa’s decision sparked widespread controversy in the country.

“I don’t know what Marcelo did, but if it were me, I would talk to Suárez and Cavani and then draw a conclusion to make a decision. It’s complicated, but the best thing a coach has is to pick what we want,” said the former UC coach.

However, in the end, he highlighted the contribution that the Argentine coach could make to the Uruguayan team. “Bielsa is something very interesting, he is unique, there is no other like him, although many people call themselves Bielsista. We hope that he will contribute a lot and that the next coach will be able to use what he leaves behind in the national team,” he said. (D)

South American qualifiers 2026