Last year’s winners get their title defence underway against the invitees in Antofagasta on Saturday but Óscar Tabárez says they are in Chile to learn
Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez has stated that his team are only hoping to gain experience from Copa América 2015 ahead of their Group B opener against invitees Jamaica.
La Celeste claimed a record 15th continental title after trumping Paraguay four years ago, with the South American giants led by Luis Suárez and Diego Forlán.
The boss will be without the front pair for the 2015 campaign while veterans Diego Lugano and Sebastián Abreu are not in the squad, meaning he possesses a team in somewhat of a transition.
For this reason, the 68-year-old has attempted to temper expectations before their clash with the Caribbean Cup champions at Estadio Regional Calvo y Buscañán on Saturday.
“We have assembled a group for the Copa América. We do not talk about our aspirations in the tournament, but come only to gain experience,” Tabárez said in a press conference.
“We deserve a lot of respect. Jamaica has some characteristics that need to be considered. It is a continental event and there are no champions at the start.
“They have a lot of intensity, a lot of determination and speed. Imagine a team with three Jonathan RodrÃguez’s!
“This is football and we do not talk of betting percentages. The reality is what we do on the pitch.”
Jamaica – competing in the Copa América for the first time in their history – are considered massive underdogs in the 44th edition of South America’s premier international tournament.
The Caribbeans face an uphill task against not only Uruguay, but favourites Argentina and 2011 runners-up Paraguay in Group B.
Coach Winfried Schäfer acknowledged Jamaica’s inferiority but believes the Concacaf nation are capable of an upset.
“I would say that we can only win through crosses, because we have very tall people, or that Uruguay will not have a good day,” the German said.
“But if we play with a lot of discipline, with speed and close spaces, we can improve ourselves.”
Uruguay have won three matches on the bounce since losing to Costa Rica on penalties in a friendly last November, while Jamaica are in the midst of a five-game winning streak.
José Giménez and Nicolás Lodeiro were Tabárez’s main fitness concerns heading into the tournament, but both have been confirmed to feature in the starting line-up in Antofagasta.
Bron: ca2015.com
