Luis Suarez needs understanding and support he’s not a robot, says Oscar Tabarez

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez says Luis Suarez needs understanding and support as he prepares to win his 100th international cap against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Suarez was far from his best in Uruguay’s opener against Egypt but will be hoping to put that right as he becomes only the sixth man to win 100 Uruguay caps.

Tabarez has backed the Barcelona star and says he needs help and not criticism when he is struggling for form.

“Football is something that concerns people and these are not robots who can be programmed to deliver in a certain way,” he said.

“We have to be understanding and supportive in times like this; the footballer is the first person to be unhappy with his performance.

“We have to offer them the tools so on bad days they can overcome that. When we give them advice the most important thing is to be serene, cool and calm.

“We all agree perhaps he didn’t have the best of matches against Egypt but he has so much potential.

“In this World Cup we have great strikers with important records. Some of them have scored goals in the opening match. All strikers have positive and negative streaks.”

Source | Press Association

Saudi Arabia are one of the weakest teams in the competition and Uruguay are expected to win comfortably on Wednesday. The team lost 5-0 to Russia in their opener and look the perfect opposition for Suarez to rediscover his goalscoring touch.