Uruguay begin their Copa America title defence against Jamaica in Saturday’s Group B encounter in Antofagasta.
They have travelled to Chile without four players who proved pivotal for Uruguay to claim a record 15th Copa America four years ago.
Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan retired from international duty, while veteran trio Diego Lugano, Martin Caceres and Sebastian Abreu are unavailable through injuries.
With in-form striker Luis Suarez, who helped Barcelona win a Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble this season, serving a Fifa ban the pressure will fall heavily on Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani to deliver up front.
“We have to be humble, which is something that has characterised this team throughout the years,” Cavani said to Uruguay newspaper El Pais. “We are going into the tournament with a low profile, as we have always done.
“Every game is difficult and we respect Jamaica.
“We cannot underestimate Jamaica, we just hope we can do a good job against them.”
Victory is a must for Uruguay considering they then take on last year’s World Cup finalists Argentina three days later before ending the group stages against Paraguay on June 20.
Jamaica, who along with Mexico are the two invited teams from Concacaf to compete at the South American championship, will play in the competition for the first time in their history.
“We want to improve ourselves,” Jamaica’s German coach Winfried Schafer said. “We hope that Uruguay will not have a good day.”
Mascherano pleads with teammates
Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano has urged his teammates to finally go and win something ahead of Argentina’s opening match in the Copa America.
Argentina play Paraguay on Saturday as they head down a path which they hope ends with an overdue international title, something they have not won in the last 23 years.
Finishing as runners-up to Germany at the last World Cup was not enough for Mascherano and his colleagues.
The Barcelona player said: “It’s not a matter of egos, but each of us needs to win something with the national team.
“We want to consolidate the work that has been done in the last few years and it would be very good to add a cup to that second-placed finish in Brazil.”
Not even winning the Uefa Champions League in Berlin last week was enough for the former Liverpool man.
“When you win something, which is not often at all, it’s like taking a drug,” he added. “It’s addictive and you want to keep on winning.
“The national team are all set up to win the title. If you check through the names we have a great team. That allows you to start dreaming.”
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