Chile - Spain 1-2

The day after. Chile has qualified to the round of 16 against Brazil this Monday. Even though Chile lost to Spain, Switzerland could not manage to win against Honduras. These results lead to Spain winning Group H with 6 points but with better goal difference than Chile.

The game started in a somewhat slow tempo, and Chile had a golden opportunity to take the lead when M. Gonzalez easily could have put the ball behind Casillas, but the ball hit his shinguard missed the open goal. It would have been a different game, with Spain chasing two goals instead. The Mexican referee took charge of the game by starting to blow for everything and started to hand out yellow cards to the Chileans. Medel and Ponce were wrongfully booked in the first 20 minutes. This would mean that Chile's best two defenders will miss the game against Brazil. It could have not started worse. Estrada got a yellow card after a tackle, that was mainly the only right decision in the first half. Right after that, Spain got an opportunity when Bravo put the ball by Villa's feet and he made no mistake and scored from 40 meters into an open goal.

Beausejour got a chance when he was alone with Casillas but missed by centimeters. That would have mean 1-1 but instead Iniesta put all hopes to an end when he scored for Spain after a mistake from a Chilean defender. During that goal, worst player of the tournament, Estrada was sent off after a second yellow card, when he unintentionally (?) interfered golden boy Torres. Torres crocodile tears were sad enough to affect Rodriguez. Every play and decision went against Chile in the first half.

During the second half, Bielsa made some changes when Valdivia and Gonzalez were replaced by Paredes and Millar. Paredes took Gonzalez place and Millar took Estradas place as Valdivia's offensive role was sacrificed.

Millar took the opportunity and gave all Chileans hope when he scored from outside the penalty area with a shot that left Casillas standing still. The rest of the game was a stalemate and Spain seemed confirmed with the result. Chile, with one man less since 40th minute fought very courageous and Rodriguez seemed more humane. Orellana came in with 30 minutes left when he replaced Sanchez who had run throughout the whole match. Pretty much nothing happend from minute 60 and forward.

Notable after the game was:

It would have been a totally different game if Gonzalez had scored in the 8th minute.
Gary Medel was again, Chile's best player.
Villa's goal was a present.
Estrada never should have played.
El Niño vs. El Niño Maravilla ended in a narrow win for Sanchez.
Spain can not be happy with their play.
Marco Rodriguez was totally predictable.
Marco Rodriguez will not be the referee in any more matches.
FIFA and their referees are useless this far.
Yet another red card in the first half.
Estrada, Klose, Gourcuff, Kaita, Kewell and Behrami have been sent off in the first half.
Brazil will, even with Ponce and Medel, be too difficult.
I am sorry Honduras, you were not spectators, thanks for holding Switzerland down.

Choices

Chile will play against Switzerland tomorrow, and they will probably not play with the same starting players as they did against Honduras. Why change a winning team? As I said in a previous post, Switzerland has a better player than Honduras in almost every position. Chile played very well against Honduras and should have won by several goals. But we did not have Suazo, who was injured and we know that he is deadly in the penalty area. Now he is eligible to play, which means that he may take the center forward spot. This will lead to changes in the starting squad, these will be now analyzed.

Defense?

Jara vs. Contreras

If Chile plays as they usually do, with 3 central defenders, two of them are already chosen, Medel and Ponce. The third last game was Isla, but I think that Isla will move up the field and be the right winger. There is a 7 year difference between these two players who have professional careers in Europe. Jara specialty is the aerial play and has a weakness in defending against quick players. It can be useful against Switzerland who have tall players, and none of them are technical geniuses. On the other side, we have Contreras, the team's Grandfather with his 32 years. He is a bit taller than Jara but not as good as him in the aerial play. He has lots of routine from playing years in different European clubs and his strength is reading his opponent.

My Choice? I would use Contreras because we are playing with 3 defenders and would need a wise player in the back. Medel played very good against Honduras, but Ponce made some mistakes that could have been vital. Jara could be good to throw in in the second half if we are chasing a goal.

Defensive Midfield?

Carmona vs. Millar

Two out of three places in the central midfield are after the first game already taken. It would take much to remove Vidal and Isla from the starting 11 after their plays against Honduras. The third spot is fought between Carmona and Millar, both players started last game. Neither of them did played badly but one must go. However Carmona was booked early and could miss the game against Spain if he is carded again, but Millar was replaced early in the second half against Jara. Could that mean the end of Bielsa's patience?

My Choice? I would choose Carmona because I like his style better. He is young but has experience from his years in Italy. He is a bit shorter and has never scored for La Roja, but his form is very good. Another alternative would be to play Tello in the left. He could brake up a tight Swiss defense better than Carmona or Millar would do.

Offensive Midfield?

Fernandez vs. Valdivia

For the creative midfield, or the number 10 role, we have these two play-makers. In the game against Honduras, Fernandez took the role as nr 10 and Valdivia was the center forward in the absence of Suazo. There is not really a big difference between the two except that Valdivia has had a better form in the latter games. But both players are extraordinary when they are in form. Fernandez won the award for South American Player of the Year in 2006, but has yet to prove after 4 years that he is worthy the prize in Europe. Valdivia is however the short magician that can do the unexpected with the ball. Before joining Al-Ain, he played as the play-maker in Brazilian top club Palmeiras. Although, Valdivia suffered a minor injury in the game against Honduras, reports say that he should be able to play tomorrow.

My Choice? I would start with Fernandez, just because Valdivia can't play for 90 minutes. Fernandez is the ordinary free-kick and corner taker, which has been his specialty in the preparatory games and against Honduras. If he does not play well, as he sometimes does, Bielsa should substitute him as early as possible because he is not the player that gets any better after a rough start. Valdivia always show that he is a good substitute by out-glowing his proceeder at the play-maker role.

Chile Lineup

1. Bravo

4. Isla 17. Medel 3. Ponce

6. Carmona 20. Millar 8. Vidal

14. Fernandez

7. Sanchez 10. Valdivia 15. Beausejour

Chilean Player Presentation: Midfielders

6. Carlos Carmona **+

Date of Birth: 21 February, 1987 Height: 179 cm Weight: 70 kg Foot: Right Caps: 20 Goals: 0 Club: Reggina (Italy)

Carlos Carmona is despite his young age an experienced player in “La Roja”, having played 20 games. He was also the captain of the successful Under 20 team that came in third place in the Under 20 Championship in Canada 2007. Carmona has for two seasons played regularly for Italian Serie B club Reggina, however with no luck of scoring, either in his professional club or at the National team. Carmona is a defensive midfielder and can play at the right side, either as a midfielder or as a defender as well. He played in the start of the qualifying round for 11 games and has the team record of top cards, 6 yellow. Carlos also played in the preparatory International friendly games where Chile beat Israel and Zambia, both times by 3-0.

8. Arturo Vidal ***+

Date of Birth: 22 May, 1987 Height: 180 cm Weight: 74 kg Foot: Right Caps: 23 Goals: 1 Club: Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Arturo Vidal is a personal favorite in the Chilean midfield. He is underestimated when speaking about the team’s strength. Vidal is one of Leverkusen’s most important players having played constantly from start in during his three seasons there. Leverkusen is a top-team in the German Bundesliga. In a contrast to Sanchez or Suazo’s importance to their teams who struggled in the bottom of their leagues. Mati Fernandez has struggled since he came to Europe to take a starting place. Rodrigo Tello and David Pizarro (despite his absence in this World Cup) are the only players that have the same important part in a top team in Europe as Vidal. Vidal is strong, fast and has a stamina that is out of this world. His weakness is that he can sometimes become unfocused and is given a yellow card in every other game; in a World Cup this can be devastating. Vidal was Chile’s top scorer in the Under 20 Championship in 2007. Vidal played 11 games in the qualifying round scoring his only goal against Venezuela. His position is defensive midfielder or a full back.

10. Jorge Valdivia ***+

Date of Birth: 19 October, 1983 Height: 173 cm Weight: 71 kg Foot: Right Caps: 39 Goals: 4 Club: Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates)

“El Mago” (The magician) is the Chilean nr 10 in a classical way. His offensive skills are masterly but he surely lacks much defensive play and stamina. Valdivia competes with Matí Fernández for the creative part of the team. He is despite of his age, one of the most experienced players in the team. Valdivia went from Colo-Colo to become a success in Brazilian team Palmeiras for two seasons. Last year he was surprisingly bought by Arab team Al-Ain despite having European interest. He surely went for the Oil-money and it cost him personal development, due to poor matching. He has been playing a lot lately in the National team and has done great every time he is substituted (for Matí Fernández). However, he is not a 90’ minute man yet. Valdivia played only 6 games in the qualifying round and scored once against Colombia. Just as Contreras, Valdivia was in the notorious squad that was banned after a disciplinary act which cost him 10 games. Due to Matí Fernández currently poor form, Valdivia is the one that must put on a show in every game if Chile wants to survive Group H.

13. Marco Estrada **

Date of Birth: 28 May, 1983 Height: 177 cm Weight: 75 kg Foot: Left Caps: 22 Goals: 1 Club: HSC Montpellier (France)

Marco Estrada is a midfielder from Universidad de Chile, who recently was bought by French team HSC Montpellier. He played an important part of the qualifying team where he played 9 games in the midfield, where there is much competition. Estrada scored his only National goal against Bolivia, but what a goal from the left-footed Chilean. He will hopefully be a player that will be of quiet importance.

14. Matías Fernández ****

Date of Birth: 15 May, 1986 Height: 176 cm Weight: 75 kg Foot: Right Caps: 37 Goals: 7 Club: Sporting Lisbon (Portugal)

“Matigol” is the Chilean wonderkid that usually represent the Chilean team to the rest of the world. He has scored 7 goals in “La Roja”, 4 of them came in the qualifying round where he was prominent along with Bravo and Suazo. Matí’s success at Colo-Colo in 2006 earned him an award as South American Player of the Year. He was rapidly bought to Spanish club Villarreal where Matí never could settle. Last year he signed to Portuguese top club Sporting Lisbon, where the whole team had an awful season. Matí is the young star with the creative skills as nr 10, where he competes with Valdivia. If Matí has a good day, not many world-class defenders can stop him. FIFA writes; “His closest compatriots on the field of play are Sanchez and Suazo, with whom he has developed a near-telepathic understanding”. His largest weakness has developed after his award for South American Player of the Year, where Matí has too much pressure on himself. He is sometimes invisible in the field and can make rookie-mistakes in one game, and on the contrary play as a god the following week. A good World Cup by Matí could bring him back to the highest scene in no time.

19. Gonzalo Fierro **+

Date of Birth: 21 March, 1983 Height: 171 cm Weight: 71 kg Foot: Right Caps: 18 Goals: 1 Club: Flamengo (Brazil)

Right-midfielder Fierro is a short, speedy player that for the last two seasons has played for Brazilian top-team Flamengo. He has only played 4 games in the qualifying round, but is always a hard working player that took him to the final 23 that made the World Cup. He may not play as a starter, but is good to have in games where the game is concentrated to the wings. Fierro can also play as an attacker, which is his original position.

20. Rodrigo Millar *+

Date of Birth: 3 November, 1981 Height: 183 cm Weight: 75 kg Foot: Right Caps: 21 Goals: 1 Club: Colo-Colo

Millar is one of the oldest players in this young team, and also one of the few domestic players. He is the one with probably the least experiences of big games. He has been in and out of the National team, although brought back in the final games and took his chance which got him to the final 23. He is not a goal scorer unless it is against Venezuela, in one of his 6 games in the qualifying round. Millar will not play from start, unless there are injuries on the other right midfielders in the team. But with hard work and loyalty, he can definitely come in and score in important games. He is also one of the tallest player of the team, which can be useful at set pieces.

21. Rodrigo Tello ***+

Date of Birth: 14 October, 1979 Height: 170 cm Weight: 68 kg Foot: Left Caps: 34 Goals: 3 Club: Besiktas (Turkey)

“Grandpa” Tello is along with Contreras the oldest players in “La Roja”. He has lots of experience of top football in Europe, which probably got him the place in the final 23. Tello only played one game in the qualifying round, as a substitute for Matí Fernández against Peru in March 2009. He plays in Turkish top club Besiktas where they often play in the Champions League tournament. I will always remember his goal against Manchester United in 2009. Tello is left-footed so it means that he in the competition for the left winger spot. It will be a bit difficult for him to be a starter due to the fact that he has not played much with the team. Tello is undoubtfully a hard working player that is able to run up and down for 90+ minutes.

Chile - Venezuela 0-0

Chile played a friendly match against Venezuela last night in Temuco, Chile. The team was formed with players from South American teams only. No teams were able to score and according to Prensafutbol, Chile's best player during the match was the 28-year old midfielder Rodrigo Millar from Colo-Colo.