From one side of the North Atlantic to the other, Uruguayans of all ages and experience are making the difference for their clubs
Giorgian De Arrascaeta – Cruzeiro’s match winner with a wonder goal
What Giorgian De Arrascaeta has become known for during his career is creating chances for his teammates with his superb playmaking abilities but his game isn’t limited to just that, as the forward showed on Sunday.
With the match against América Mineiro still scoreless after 70 minutes, De Arrascaeta positioned himself on the edge of the box, received a cross perfectly played into him and then magic happened. The Cruzeiro No10 went for the sensational by attempting a half-volley and the ball flew into the top corner.
https://twitter.com/UruguayHeroes2/status/960250227906228226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The goal ensured that Cruzeiro took all three points and stayed top of their state championship table. De Arrascaeta once again proved his incredible value to the team as he popped up with the winner. Whether it’s an assist, goal or a dribble which creates danger, the 23-year-old is more often than not decisive and it has made him one of the best players in Brazil for the past eighteen months.
His quality performances at Cruzeiro and for Uruguay, when he has been given the chance, make him impossible to ignore for Uruguay manager Óscar Tabárez. De Arrascaeta should be a starter in the World Cup, because he has all the credentials to be the perfect link between the midfield and La Celeste’s deadly strike force.
Lucas Torreira – another complete performance for Sampdoria
“The other day I said Torreira was worth $37 million, yesterday it was $49 million and today it’s $62M”, Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero told the media earlier this year. Although it might be a tongue-in-cheek remark, there lies some truth in the statement above.
Lucas Torreira is consistently performing at a high level, which has alerted some of Europe’s big guns. This weekend, against Torino, the Uruguayan midfielder put in another top notch display, contributing largely to both the offensive and defensive side of the game, underlining his versatility.
Lucas Torreira vs. Torino. [@FalseCB]
Charrúa controller. pic.twitter.com/0q0MAgqz4U
— BTL Comps (@BTLComps) February 4, 2018
With a smart free-kick Torreira opened the score for Sampdoria and got his goal tally in the Serie A this season up to four – all have come with shots from outside the box. Next to his goal, Torreira showed other qualities which make him such a highly rated young midfielder.
He made five interceptions and five successful tackles and completed 40 of his 45 attempted passes, showcasing his abilities at both winning back the ball and distributing the play. Torreira has done enough to deserve a Uruguay call-up since he emerged on the scene last season as he is the country’s best midfielder.
Cristhian Stuani – like fine wine, the Girona front man gets better with age
After two seasons in England for Middlesbrough, Cristhian Stuani returned, last summer, to the country that was his home between 2009 and 2015; Spain. He joined newly promoted Girona and was expected to do as well as he his previous experience of playing in La Liga but after 22 match days we can safely say that the No9 has exceeded all expectations.
With a brace at the weekend in a 2-0 win against Athletic de Bilbao, Stuani’s goal tally is already up to 12 in La Liga, matching the goal scoring record of his best season in a top-flight European division. With this form, his place on the Uruguay World Cup squad is pretty much secured and at 31 he might even get one last chance to shine at a top-six club in one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ6K0_R3j2Y[/fve]
