Bielsa and the crisis in Uruguay: “My authority has suffered” | He spoke after the defeat to Peru and in the midst of a dispute with Luis Suarez.

“I am not ignorant of everything that happened. I know my authority is affected in some way. But I prepared for the game with all seriousness.”d. And the reaction I found from the players was the same as since I started working here,” said the Uruguay national team coach. Marcelo Bielsa after La Celeste lost 1–0 in the final against Peru in Lima. on the ninth day of South American qualifying. The interviewed Rosario coach then added: “This did not in any way change the conviction with which the match was prepared. “The professionalism and performance of the group and coaching staff remains the same as always.”

Uruguay plays Ecuador next Tuesday at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, and it is unknown how the eastern public will receive Bielsa after the statements he made against him. Luis Suarez after his departure from the national team and about the bad moment that the team is going through, which played three games without victories and goals in the qualificationsbut whose qualification for the 2026 World Cup does not appear to be in jeopardy.

At the press conference after the defeat to the Peruvians, Bielsa was also consulted about the harsh accusations from Suarez, who complained about the coach’s alleged distant attitude towards the team and the national team’s work team. “It didn’t have any impact. I think the team’s dedication was very generous, no matter how we played.” I think what happened this week doesn’t define or explain, I don’t link it to the way we played. I also don’t think it has had any effect because it’s been a week with so much excitement,” Bielsa said, trying to shut down potential sources of conflict.

On the other hand, he preferred not to talk about recent events. meetings were held with team representatives and managers in recent days: “These are things that belong to the private sphere, and I am not going to respond to the content of the meetings that took place and the topics that were discussed. I cannot tell you more because I would have to describe the aspects that were touched upon and which, as I understand it, correspond to the intimacy of the group. From my point of view, the episodes should be reviewed internally,” the coach said.

Given the feeling that some players did not provide sufficient support for Bielsa on the pitch, Nicholas Fonseca, Rivera midfielder

and the opening match against Peru was very decisive. “It’s actually very funny to talk about this. I would like to answer that someone could think something like that,” The midfielder responded, annoyed after the question. “We are a serious selection of serious, elite players.” Fonseca added that he will return to the starting line-up on Tuesday against the Ecuadorians.