provide staunch opposition, despite the absences of
Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.
Santiago Arias is in no doubt that Uruguay will still be a
dangerous opponent for Colombia, even without suspended duo
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
The Barcelona forward is still serving a ban for biting Giorgio
Chiellini at the World Cup last year, while his regular
international strike partner will also miss out due sanctions
imposed for his part in an altercation with Chile's Gonzalo Jara
at the Copa America in June.
Uruguay - who won their opening World Cup qualifying match
against Bolivia 2-0 in La Paz - have also lost Cristian Rodriguez
through injury.
But Colombia full-back Aria is keen to avoid complacency when
the nations clash in Montevideo on Tuesday, insisting that
everyone selected by Oscar Tabarez is there on merit.
"I don't know if I'm more relaxed [due to the absences].
Everybody in the team has a reason for being there and they'll
try to take me on or anybody that gets in their way," Arias told
reporters.
"We know it's going to be tough, Uruguay is an amazing and
historical team, but we'll try to control the ball and hurt them -
especially on the passing game.
"We'll try to avoid the physical game, we know they'll fight and
that it's their style of playing, but if that's the way the game
begins we'd have to play it that way."
Striker Teofilo Gutierrez believes Colombia must seize the
initiative at the Estadio Centenario and add to the three points
they picked up against Peru to give them the best chance of
reaching World Cup 2018.
"We will play our game and make them adapt to our style of
playing," Teo said in a press conference.
"Afterwards, we'll see what happens in the match but we're
ready for any strategy they pose and we know Colombia has
great players.
"The strongest, both physically and mentally, will make the
difference in the championship.
"We must be prepared and know that we've got quality players,
with great character, and we'll do our job.
"Everybody said that this will be the hardest qualifiers. They're
the toughest in the world because of the altitude and the
weather and more, but I think we're prepared and now we'll wait
for the match and we'll expect to give our country the best."
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