Real Madrid News
Official: Federico Valverde starts for Uruguay in must-win game vs Ghana
Uruguay will learn their fate in the FIFA World Cup 2022 today as they gear up to take on Ghana in their final group game.
Heading into the match La Celeste are bottom of the group with just one point, tied with South Korea in third, following their opening day draw against the Asian side and a defeat to Portugal last time out.
So, Diego Alonso’s side, who were termed as one of the darkhorses in the tournament, will need all three points against Ghana while they would also need South Korea to not win against Portugal.
And Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, who has been one of the few positives for Uruguay in the World Cup, is starting and will have a lot riding on him against Ghana.
The midfielder partners up with Rodrigo Bentancur in the centre of the park while Facundo Pellistri and Giorgian De Arrascaeta seem set to occupy the flanks to form the second line of press behind the strike partnership of Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez.
Guillermo Varela, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez and Mathias Olivera form the backline that will shield Sergio Rochet in goal for the South American nation against Ghana.
✍🏼 𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) December 2, 2022
Ficha del partido contra Ghana por el 𝗚𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗢 𝗛 de la @fifaworldcup. #ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/vITCcwMXuD
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
