Suarez ruled out for Italy friendly

Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez has said Luis Suarez will play no part in tomorrow's friendly against Italy after he suffered a knock during his four goal starring role in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying 4-0 win over Chile on Saturday. "Suarez took a knock against Chile and is not in the best shape," Tabarez said on the eve of the game. "He is getting better, but for the player, and for his club (Liverpool), it would make no sense to risk an injury, that is the way we see things." With Inter Milan's Diego Forlan already out until mid-December, Tabarez confirmed that the Copa America holders will line up in a 4-3-3 formation with a frontline consisting of Porto's Cristian Rodriguez, Seba Fernandez of Malaga and Napoli's Edinson Cavani. Tabarez, 64, also spoke of his pride at leading Uruguay into the meeting with one of the world's leading footballing nations at the Stadio Olimpico. "Prior to 2006 (when Tabarez returned for a second spell in charge) we rarely played such prestigious opponents," he said. "Since the 2010 World Cup, everything has changed. This match is part of a new strategy of playing against major sides. We have already played Germany and the Netherlands, and this invitation to play in this magnificent stadium is an honour." "We have worked hard, we are a small country, but that must not serve as an excuse," Tabarez added of his team, who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup before winning their continental crown in Argentina in July. Tabarez is making his return to Italy, where he spent several months in charge of an aging Milan side before being sacked by Silvio Berlusconi in December 1996.