Marcelo Bielsa is known for being a man of few and measured words and, when it comes to looking at the camera, he also appears a bit awkward or embarrassed. The 70-year-old Uruguay coach looked down during media commitments before the World Cup, particularly during the graphics that play on television before the start of matches, and the video quickly went viral on social media. It could be embarrassment, but it could also be a protest – he has spoken several times against capitalism in the U.S. – something Bielsa chose not to clarify. After the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Miami, he was asked why he did not look at the camera, and he stated that he did not have to explain his actions. “I don’t have to give explanations. The image was captured as it was, I’m not a mannequin. I have no answer for that. Should I also explain why I don’t look at those who are now speaking (at the press conference)?” he retorted. Bielsa briefly moved on to the next question, but then, on his own initiative, returned to the topic of the unusual photoshoot. “I believe there is a limit to what we should explain. If I look up or down, does that require so much explanation? Some situations do not require explanation. We are not obliged to behave like mannequins. Those things have no basis. I did nothing wrong,” he added. Bielsa was frustrated with Uruguay’s performance against Saudi Arabia, claiming that his team used “only half the time” to try to win. Uruguay, which had 27 shots and 10 on target, struggled in the first half and went into halftime trailing 1-0. The Uruguayans dominated after the break but had to wait until the 80th minute for the equalizer from Maxi Araujo, facing Saudi goalkeeper Al Owais, who delivered a memorable performance. “I think the fact that we didn’t win is related to the fact that we couldn’t show our best version. That’s why we couldn’t win. We had all the conditions to play in the first half as we did in the second, but we only did so for half the time. The game changed in the second half. There were more options, players could move, run off the ball, and create situations. That is part of what happens in games. Sometimes, with few opportunities, goals are scored, and sometimes, with many opportunities, they are not. But we should have won this game,” he stated. This result, along with Spain’s surprising 0-0 draw against Cape Verde on Monday, left all four teams in Group H tied with one point each.
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