Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani may miss Copa America quarters

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani could miss the Copa America quarter-final with Chile after his father was involved in a fatal car crash in Uruguay, national team coach Oscar Tabarez said on Tuesday.

Luis Cavani knocked down and killed a 19-year old motorcyclist on Monday night, judicial sources in Uruguay said.

Cavani, who was driving a truck owned by his son, was detained by police in the town of Salto, the officials said.

Although Tabarez said he and his squad have given the forward their full backing the coach would not confirm Cavani’s place in the side to face the hosts today (Wednesday).

“He (Cavani) has been affected by a situation, in which, yes, a family member (his father) was involved. Obviously he is affected by it, as anyone in a similar situation would be. At this time, as time passes, we will see how adapts to the situation,” Tabarez told reporters at a news conference at the National Stadium in Santiago.

Cavani has not said whether he will remain with the squad or return home.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker was scheduled to train normally with his team mates on Tuesday and Tabarez said the forward’s position would become clear later in the day.

Uruguay qualified as one of the best third-place teams in Group B behind Argentina and Paraguay.

They will be facing Chile who topped their Group A and are on fire on home turf.

Tabarez said Uruguay was planning on facing Chile as it would any other opponent and that they would be looking to be on the attack.

Historically, Uruguay is tougher

“As we’ve always done facing any team, from Chile to Jamaica. We work hard to try to limit our rival, as a matter of minimal respect, but also, in this case, it is very clear and we will see on the field how much success we get with this or not. And also, in another aspect of the game, which is to attack them. And more than anything to face the situation that, theoretically there is a lot of room (for this), with all the guys who go on the attack,” Tabarez said.

Uruguay midfielder Alvaro Gonzalez said it did not matter how each of the teams reached the quarter-finals. All that matters is what happens when they play.

“Chile has played nicely, and has achieved some important results. It might have been a bit tougher for us. Anyway, everything will depend on what happens when the two teams face off. When each (team) puts forward its game. And well, we will see who does better during the 90 minutes to get the result and not just what the story says,” Gonzalez said.

Chile came out of the Group stage with 10 goals, more than twice the total of any other team, after two wins and a draw.

But coach Jorge Sampaoli said he wasn’t taking anything for granted while facing the defending Copa America champions.

“For us the game is definitely a very tough one given our opponent. It seems to me we are going to play a team who knows these kinds of situations well. The group is doing well. They’re prepared for how they have to play or what is going to happen tomorrow,” Sampaoli said.

Chile forward Mauricio Pinilla said this was the year for Chile as they look to turn their momentum into a championship and lift the Copa America for the first time having been runners-up on four occasions.

“Today is the present and Chile is presently doing very well. We know that historically Uruguay are tough, but Chile presently is very, very good and positive. Therefore the motivation and desire to confront this game in the best way are there. But I think talking like that, or to say that history is against us, isn’t going through our heads. I think the game is in the present and the presently Chile is at a great moment,” Pinilla said.

The winner of Wednesday’s match up will go on to face the winner of Bolivia and Peru’s quarter-final in the first semi-final match on June 29.

The Final will be played on July 4th in Santiago.