Lugano blasts Bielsa after Uruguay's elimination: "He contaminated the environment"
Former defender Diego Lugano spared no criticism of coach Marcelo Bielsa after Uruguay's elimination this Friday (26) against Spain, 1-0, in Zapopan. Currently a commentator for Telemundo, the historic defender criticized the work carried out by the commander and questioned the choice of the Uruguayan Football Association.
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
1 of 9
Uruguay is defeated by Spain in the last round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
2 of 9
Muslera failed once again in the World Cup, now against Spain, in the third round of the group stage - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
3 of 9
Baena celebrates Spain's goal against Uruguay in the third round of the World Cup group stage - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
4 of 9
Spain players celebrate goal against Uruguay - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
5 out of 9
Uruguay and Spain faced each other in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
6 of 9
Uruguay and Spain faced each other in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
7 out of 9
Uruguay and Spain faced each other in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
8 out of 9
Uruguay and Spain faced each other in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
9 of 9
Lamine Yamal, Spanish standout in Uruguay and Spain, who faced each other in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup - Disclosure/Fifa
-
Change imageChange image
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
default view
full view
grid view
"The truth is that it's difficult to put the disappointment into words. The sadness I feel for the players, who gave their all, but didn't compete on equal terms with other teams because I don't think they had a coach who could guide them in the right direction. He made incomprehensible changes, incomprehensible tactics. Bielsa contaminated the environment, he never understood where he was."
"The players never understood Bielsa. A big mistake by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) was arriving at the World Cup with Bielsa tied to a million-dollar contract. That's the truth."
The Uruguayan team's campaign was far below expectations in this edition of the World Cup, with just two points in group H, and questionable performances against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. In the last match against Spain, the team also saw experienced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera miss the goal scored by Álex Baena.
Marcelo Bielsa was announced by Uruguay in May 2023 and had the mission of renewing the team, after a poor campaign in the Qatar edition in 2022. In addition to the World Cup, the coach was in charge of the team in the 2024 Copa América, when they were eliminated in the semi-finals against Colombia.
"Obviously, those who will suffer are the players, who suffer the criticism and will be marked in Uruguay by the worst World Cup in our history. And the coach goes to another country and forgets what happened, right?", added Diego Lugano.
Cristiano Ronaldo shines after criticism, and commentator reacts
Source: CNN