Forlan shows why he wants to score goals
That was the question vexing Roy Hodgson last month when Fulham went up against Atletico Madrid.
It was thought that Forlan ever so deadly in front of goal should be starved of supply but as it turned out despite the best efforts of Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes they were not able to stop the Atletico Madrid striker. In this Forlan was helped by Sergio Aguero who turned in a very nippy display down the left.
That will be the question that Javier Aguirre will have to ask of his players when they meet Uruguay in a very short while. Forlan’s first goal was a less sniper like effort and more an exercise in a long range ballistics which dipped over Hugo Lloris’s head. The threat of him doing the same against Mexico remains.
The Mexican midfield is very, very good but it is at the back that they might have problems. Ominously, Luis Suarez has also woken up from his slow start and looked very good against South Africa.
The consequences between first and second place is a potential meeting with Argentina and no one wants that. Neither Forlan nor Giovani Dos Santos will relish seeing the hungry tides of Messrs Messi, Aguero, and Tevez swamp his country’s backfield.
Forlan is his own playmaker:
Interestingly enough Forlan as compared to his Atletico appearances has dropped considerably downfield where he gets a lots of service from holding midfielder Diego Perez and central defender Diego Godin. Up closer to the goal, Alvaro Perriera, the left wingback, keeps him busy with his supply.
This is because the Uruguayans have been missing a creative presence in midfield. Nicholas Lodeiro was sent off against France and missed the match against South Africa. In comparison, Giovani Dos Santos, down the right and Gerardo Torrado, in the more central attacking role, have been clicking smoothly. Carlos Vela will sit this one out with Pablo Barrera taking over.
Summation of match:
Mexico’s ball possession and attacking flair, more suspect defense, and lack of finish. Uruguay’s tough tackling disposition, less ball control, and clinical finishers.
Should be a very good game.