José María Giménez
Return to bench
Gimenez (ankle) is on the bench for Monday's match against Saudi Arabia.
Analysis: Gimenez is back in the team sheet Monday as expected, although he is not yet fit enough to start, instead serving from the bench. The expectation will be to see him enter the field as the match goes on, giving him some time to test his legs. He will then eye a return to a starting role in the coming games, coming in for Sebastian Caceres or Mathias Olivera.
Recovered from injury
Gimenez (ankle) has rejoined full training after overcoming his injury, about which coach Marcelo Bielsa stated "Gimenez had an ankle problem and joined training a week later because the people monitoring his situation are used to working with him, and the player trusts them a lot for his recovery. He's finally been back with us for 15 days now and is healed.", per Montevideo Portal.
Analysis: Gimenez is still expected to be on the bench for Uruguay's initial World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, but he'll have a significant chance to regain his starting spot in the subsequent meeting with Cape Verde. Meanwhile, Sebastian Caceres could get an opportunity alongside Mathias Olivera at center-back. The Atletico Madrid player has been sidelined for most of the last two months, though he was averaging 4.0 clearances and 1.6 tackles per game in La Liga play when available. He's expected to play a major role for Uruguay once he's fit enough to play full games.
Could be on bench Monday
Gimenez (ankle) is likely to be eligible as a substitute option if required Monday against Saudi Arabia following his participation in training sessions, Fabian Bertolini of El Espectador Deportes reports.
Analysis: Gimenez was expected to miss his country's World Cup opener and might still not play even if he's on the bench, with the coaching staff likely avoiding any risk ahead of the latter stages of the competition. In any case, the defender could give the team a huge boost whenever he's back on the pitch, especially with Ronald Araujo (calf) also struggling to overcome a fitness issue. Sebastian Caceres (concussion) and Santi Bueno are expected to form a natural center-back pairing in the absence of Gimenez and Araujo, while the inclusion of Juan Sanabria at left-back and deployment of Mathias Olivera in the center could be another possibility.
Won't play in WC opener
Gimenez (ankle) won't be available for Monday's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, according to Soledad Cejas of DSports.
Analysis: Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has made a decision regarding Gimenez, and the center-back won't be risked to avoid further complications in his recovery from injury. This means Santi Bueno is pretty much a lock to start at center-back. Gimenez will aim to return in the team's second group-stage match against Cape Verde on Sunday, June 21.
Not expected to play in opener
Gimenez (ankle) is not expected to be risked in Uruguay's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to TyC Sports.
Analysis: Gimenez was seen training on the side Thursday alongside some of the other injured players, such as Giorgian De Arrascaeta (calf) and Ronald Araujo (calf). Santi Bueno, Sebastian Caceres (concussion) and Mathias Olivera are options to start at center-back if both Gimenez and Araujo are sidelined.
Training away from group
Gimenez (ankle) is not training with the group and is a major doubt for the World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to Oscar Garcia of MARCA.
Analysis: Gimenez might be close to full fitness, but the fact that he trained away from the group just a few days before the World Cup opener is certainly a concern. Ronald Araujo (calf) is not expected to be available in the first two games, and Joaquin Piquerez (ankle) is also training on the sidelines, so it seems Uruguay will be very weakened on the defensive end for the opener. Santi Bueno is likely to move into the starting lineup with these absences.
Close to full fitness
Gimenez (ankle) has progressed in his recovery and is a likely option for the Uruguayan national team in the upcoming World Cup after coach Marcelo Bielsa said "I would almost say that the time for his full discharge is being extended as a precaution, but he is doing very well.", AUFTV reports.
Analysis: Gimenez should be ready to appear in international activity after missing the last three games of the campaign with Atletico Madrid. The veteran defender will be reliable for his individual duel strength and could aim to rack up clean sheets if he's able to start in the first few games of the World Cup. In that case, he'll likely join Ronald Araujo at center-back, limiting Sebastian Caceres to a substitute spot.
Suffers high-grade ankle sprain
Gimenez was confirmed with a high-grade ankle sprain in his right ankle sustained during Saturday's 1-0 loss against Celta Vigo, ruling him out for the foreseeable future and effectively ending his season, according to the club.
Analysis: Gimenez was forced off in the 20th minute and medical tests confirmed the severity of the damage, with the Uruguayan set to undergo physiotherapy and gym rehabilitation with his return to competition dependent on the evolution of the injury. Gimenez ends the campaign with one goal and one assist alongside 27 tackles and 80 clearances across 22 appearances in all competitions, having shown his quality whenever fit for the Colchoneros. The focus now shifts entirely to being ready for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer, with the recovery timeline making any involvement in Atletico's remaining fixtures extremely unlikely as those injuries require at least four weeks to heal.
Taken off after 20 minutes
Gimenez was forced off the field in the 20th minute of Saturday's match against Celta Vigo due to an injury.
Analysis: Gimenez would leave the field just ahead of the half-hour mark Saturday, suffering from an injury that was too much to play through. With only a few games left in the season, this is something to watch, as a muscle injury could keep him out for the rest of the season. He was replaced by Robin Le Normand, who would likely continue in that spot if Gimenez remains out.
Picked for bench
Gimenez (undisclosed) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against Arsenal.
Analysis: Gimenez is with his team Tuesday as they try to make their way to the UCL final, an option from the bench to start. This will give the club some more depth in the defense, a useful option if they find themselves with the lead and defending their net. That said, he will likely only be used if certain scenarios arise.
Returns in squad list
Gimenez (undisclosed) is travelling with Atletico's squad for Tuesday's Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal, the club posted.
Analysis: Gimenez has been unable to train on the pitch with his teammates since early April and has not featured in the starting lineup in recent months, making his inclusion in the travelling squad a more encouraging development than recent updates had suggested. Whether he features at the Emirates or simply travels as a depth option will depend on how his condition evolves ahead of Tuesday, with Robin Le Normand and David Hancko the established defensive partnership for Atletico's biggest European night of the season.
Not training, timeline unclear
Gimenez (undisclosed) remains unable to train on the pitch with his teammates and has no clear return timeline, according to Pascual Ruiz Arnal of Marca.
Analysis: Gimenez has now been sidelined since early April without any clarity on the nature of a issue keeping him away from the training pitch. His absence is primarily a depth concern given his limited role in the starting lineup in recent months, but the continued lack of information from the club makes it impossible to project when the Uruguayan defender might return to contention for Atletico. Robin Le Normand and Clement Lenglet are expected to see increased playing time for the Colchoneros until he returns.
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