Maldonado sets up with a tight 4-5-1 formation, with Freitas starting in goal. The back four is formed by Fuica, Kinzo, Tealde and Ramos, while the midfield trio of Gonzalez, Ramirez and Cartagena prioritizes tough defensive interceptions to shut down opposition advances. Tabo and Cesar are tasked with supporting lone central striker Noble, and the side has very limited attacking rotation options to change game flow. Uruguay's Nacional lines up in a far more attacking 4-3-3 system, with Mejia taking the goalkeeper spot. Lozano, Coates, Polenta and Rodriguez make up their defensive line, Oliva, Sanabria and Galeano handle the playmaking duties across the midfield, and Castro, Zabala and Lopez lead the front line. Their key forward Silvera is sidelined through injury, which has notably weakened their squad depth for offensive penetration. As two sides that feature in Uruguay’s top division, this single-elimination Uruguay Cup fixture hands a distinct advantage to hosts Maldonado, who a
URU Cup
AH
Deportivo Maldonado
vs
Nacional Montevideo