By Amanda Langell
Uruguay's predicted lineup against Colombia features two players who have yet to start for La Celeste at Copa America 2024 as Marcelo Bielsa's squad deals with injuries and suspensions.
Uruguay have been nothing short of impressive at Copa America 2024. La Celeste won all three of their group stage matches and then defeated Brazil, the fourth ranked team in the world, in the quarter-finals. Now, they must get ready to face Colombia, a team that has not lost since February 2022.
Marcelo Bielsa will have to make a few changes to his XI for the semi-finals. Ronald Araujo suffered a serious leg injury against Brazil, and Nahitan Nandez received a red card for a dangerous tackle on Rodrygo. Without the two starters, Uruguay's backline will look a little different on Wednesday.
Here's what Uruguay's starting XI could look like against Colombia on July 10.
Uruguay predicted lineup vs Colombia ( 4-2-3-1 )
GK: Sergio Rochet - Rochet is coming off an outstanding performance, keeping a clean sheet against Brazil and saving Eder Militao's penalty in the shootout.
RB: Guillermo Varela - Varela will likely make just his second appearance at Copa America 2024 after Nahitan Nandez was sent off in the quarter-finals.
CB: Jose Gimenez - Gimenez has struggled to play consistent minutes this summer, but the center-back will get his first start of the competition on Wednesday in place of the injured Ronald Araujo.
CB: Mathias Olivera - Olivera's experience will be heavily relied upon as Uruguay's makeshift backline faces a Colombian attack coming off a 5-0 victory.
LB: Matias Vina - Vina's halftime substitution in the quarter-finals was a precautionary measure, so expect the left-back to be ready to go in the semi-finals.
DM: Federico Valverde - Valverde is Uruguay's most consistent player, and the midfielder will need to control the tempo of the game against a fast Colombian side.
DM: Manuel Ugarte - Ugarte has played all but one minute of the Copa America so far, and will once again log a full 90 minutes alongside Valverde.
RM: Facundo Pellistri - In his 25th cap for Uruguay, Pellistri will hope to be more effective in the final third than he was against Brazil.
AM: Nicolas de la Cruz - Nicolas de la Cruz is arguably the most underrated player in Uruguay's attack; the Flamengo man created the most chances in the quarter-finals.
LM: Maximiliano Araujo - Araujo was the most accurate passer for La Celeste against Brazil, and already has two goals and one assist to his name at Copa America 2024.
ST: Darwin Nunez - Nunez will look to score his first goal of the knockout rounds on Wednesday.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Uruguay predicted lineup vs Colombia: Copa America 2024.
