Serious business, Uruguay; nice thing, Colombia… And nice thing, attacking play. When teams attack each other in football, the public laughs, cheers, excites and hugs. Football is a machine that brings happiness… but it is under attack. Uruguay has historically been difficult, due to its defensive mental structure, the solidity of its troops and commitment, commitment to the jersey. With Marcelo Bielsa, he added the spice that makes it an essential dish: he attacks, he proposes, he dares.

As a result, the ultra-defensive ones (of whom there are tens of millions, although it may seem unusual) look askance at Bielsa, he comes to destroy the order, to kick the ideological board. And it’s stealing their followers, as many Uruguayan fans who loved seeing Celeste defend, heroically resist a zero draw, turned away at this magical revelation that it is possible, yes, you can go out and beat Brazil. And beat him. You can go looking for a win against Argentina in Buenos Aires. And find her. Then this happens, that today Uruguay is one of the happiest countries in the world because it has a magnificent team and, quite simply, it goes on to win matches, which is what a fan has been asking for from his team since 1848, more or less when it was founded. formally invented this sport. On Tuesday, when Uruguay plays again – this time with Bolivia – the anxiety of the whole country will be almost unbearable until 20:30. This creates attacking football. In Uruguay, football is a cultural fact, three million four hundred thousand are involved. And euphoric: Uruguay attacks. And I like it. And win.

There is also additional enthusiasm: the Rosario strategist has put together a young team that can sustain Uruguay to successfully welcome the next two cycles of the World Cup.

The Uruguayan coaches, so attached to a fast and relaxed game, were upset when the federation hired Bielsa, a kind of Antichrist: offensive, foreign and, on top of that, Argentine, something unbearable. He Chengue Morales closed the gap with brutal honesty: “Bielsa shut us all up.” Nobody talks about Suárez and Cavani anymore. Why change violins if they sound so good…?

Uruguay beat Brazil and Argentina for the first time in their history, the third and first in a row. ranking world. And he beat them with a game, forward. It is truly impressive how he beat the world champion in Bombonera (a stage that never had a good connection with the Argentine team). He closed all his attacking paths, suffocated him in returning the ball, cut off his circles of play and then injured him in the attack. The team that celebrated, that won all the games without even conceding a goal. 2-0 really should have been more because of the dominance and volume of the game.

“I’ll tell you what football is for me, guys: attack a lot and then recover with the hope of attacking again.” Bielsa’s credo in front of his players. It was fulfilled. Such was the physical, emotional and footballing display by Uruguay that its men are already excited for the World Cup in 2026. Not to qualify, to win it.

Uruguay, the king of defence, leads the tie in terms of points. Who knew… The amazing thing is how quickly Bielsa was able to spread his seed among teams. The essential point in the relationship between the guide and his subordinates is to arouse admiration. The Uruguayan players are delighted with Bielsa, they admire him. So the soldier confidently goes to war and redoubles his zeal.

Five thousand and four hundred kilometers above Buenos Aires, in Barranquilla, the offensive game also caused an avalanche of joy for the entire nation. Néstor Lorenzo’s Colombia (that’s how they will introduce themselves from now on) knocked out Brazil, beating them for the first time in the qualifying round. And a reversal of results, which in the case of a five-time world champion can happen every thirty years. The coach shows his teeth just by giving the lineup, that’s the message he sends to his players. In that act, the football player perceives the master’s intention. And Colombia announced James and Carrascal, two 10s, Luis Díaz, about whom nothing needs to be said, Borré, who is not a scorer but has technique, a good-footed midfielder like Kevin Castaño, Matheus Uribe, a midfielder who enters the circle area and not denied with the ball, to Deiver Machado, a bulldozer going his way. In other words, seven elements that know how to play and have a natural tendency to move forward. And a commander who follows a clear line: he plays in the opponent’s field and tries to harm the opponent.

Defend…? Of course, whoever defends poorly or doesn’t defend at all in football is sure to lose. But the priority goal is to win, and to do that, you have to attack. Lorenzo has gone 21 games in a row without defeat: 8 from his former time at Melgar de Arequipa and 13 with the Colombian team. If the coach does not have great capacities, he will not achieve these numbers. And be careful: it cannot be argued that Lorenzo has a “golden generation”. Yes, a team of good players with a stake crack like Lucho Díaz, for whom the sky opened up one night and everything came together. Regardless of the class, there are beloved players and there are hated ones. How happy it is when everything goes well for Luchu…! It’s a postcard of humility. And there isn’t Marketing Because humility is something that emerges, it is not imposed.

In addition, Brazil’s penalty was a call to attack. Two poor defenders (Emerson and Renán Lodi), two pale defensive midfielders (Bruno Guimaraes and André) and a number of normal names, no monsters from other eras. The only really dangerous thing was the attack, with Vinícius, Rodrygo and Martinelli. But, well, it’s Brazil, you always have to be careful. It was a shot opportunity, Lorenzo took it and passed it on to his players. Because it is the coach who transfers the mentality to the players, never the other way around. Let’s note, in addition, that Uruguay, who conquered Argentina by causing a real international impact, could fall, and even overwhelmingly, against this Colombia that has no enemy with a goal despite playing without a scorer and without 9, given that Borré It is not 9. The goal is achieved through performance, collective harmony and offensive desire.

In the debut of its new coach, Antonio Carlos Zago, Bolivia gave a more modest proof that luck is in the attack. With just a few training sessions, the Brazilian put together a more vertical team, but above all he chose people with a greater attacking vocation. He called on two Vacs, Henry, a chubby guy who is accused of being undisciplined among other things, but who is skilled and has one-on-ones, faces, goes forward, and Ramiro, a fine, talented 10, with passing between the line and excellent finishing. Both scored goals to get out of last place and sink Peru into it. Contrary to what we preach, Peru hired Juan Reynos, a speculative coach, and set a negative record: it is the first time in 69 years of qualification that a team has not scored a goal in the first five games. Unbearable for Peruvian fans. And in Ecuador they still don’t know if Catalan Sánchez Bas is defensive, offensive or what.

The most important thing when choosing is the right coach. It has been demonstrated. Uruguay and Colombia achieved a plenary session. (OR)