The era of Diego Forlán at the helm of the Uruguay National Team officially begins this Thursday. The legendary striker, now in his role as head coach, has named the starting lineup that will take the field to face Japan at the start of this FIFA window.

To guard Uruguay’s goal, Forlán has placed his trust in Santiago Mele between the posts. The goalkeeper will lead the back line of a team looking to establish itself with solidity and tactical discipline from the very first minute.

The defensive line will be made up of four highly reliable players: Nahitan Nández, Ronald Araujo, Mathias Olivera and Juan Manuel Sanabria . This back four combines physical strength with smooth ball distribution, a key element of the style the new manager wants to implement.

In midfield, there will be a blend of steel and creativity. Brian Rodríguez, Lucas Torreira, Rodrigo Bentancur and Maximiliano Araújo will be tasked with controlling the center of the pitch, bringing dynamism both in winning the ball back and in the transition to attack.

Up front, Forlán’s choice is powerful and direct. The attacking duo will be made up of Darwin Núñez and Federico Viñas , two key figures who will look to pose a constant threat to the opposition goal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.