Thursday, March 31, 2016

Nacional host El Tanque Sisley to get back on track

Following a successful international break, Uruguay's clubs are back in action for matchweek 7 of this season's Clausura. Nacional are hosting El Tanque Sisley in their attempt to get back on track.


Three wins were a brilliant way to start the season for the record champion, but lately the league form took a hit due to the addition of Copa Libertadores football. In three straight games, Nacional failed to take all points, losing twice and drawing once. Especially the last appearance two weeks ago was memorable, "playing" on Cerro's ridiculous pitch.

The gap to league leading Plaza Colonia is up to six points by now and coach Gustavo Munúa will change the lineup to get back to winning ways. Felipe Carballo and Sebastián Fernández will both enter the starting XI in place of Leandro Barcia and Leo Gamalho. In addition, Alejandro Tabo will stay there since Kevin Ramírez is still not ready to go.

Ramírez is being joined on the sidelines by Erick Cabaco (both fever) and Nacho González (adductors). 

Out against El Tanque Sisley: Erick Cabaco and Kevin Ramírez. (Photo: tenfield.com)
In Thursday's training session, Sebastián Eguren replaced Mauricio Victorino at the centre-back position. The veteran Uruguayan international who played twice for his country the past week trained seperately, but will be ready for Saturday evening at the Gran Parque Central. 

El Tanque Sisley meanwhile have collected 7 points so far this season (2-1-3). Three points worse than Nacional, they have only lost one of their last four outings. A weakness that might cost them away to Nacional is their inability to score goals consistently. So far, they only managed to find the back of the net 6 times in as many games and no player more than once.

If Nico López can find his form after the international break as well, this should be a solid win for Nacional, mostly thanks to finally being rested for a longer time. Captain Diego Polenta was extremely proud to be called up for Uruguay and should transport that mood over to his club team too. They will be two of the main keys for Nacional's success down the stretch.

  • Nacional - El Tanque Sisley
  • Sunday, 12am CET
  • Gran Parque Central
  • Conde - Fucile, Victorino, Polenta (C), Espino - Porras, Romero, Carballo - Fernández, López, Tabo.

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