Silly Season: Mauricio Pinilla

Mauricio Pinilla is not one of the players of La Roja at the moment, although this transfer is large enough to get an attention on this blog. Pinilla is a Chilean player who has been a good attacker but has had problem with his temper. He has been playing in Europe since 2003 when he came to Italian club Inter, but only to be loaned to Chievo where he played six games without scoring. Last club he played for was Serie B club Grosseto where he scored 24 goals in 24 games, many of them shown on this blog. All those goals made an echo throughout Europe, but he decided to stay in Italy and play for Palermo who bought him today in front of Fiorentina, who were also interested in the 26 year old Chilean.
The transfer sum is around €6 million with a few other options. Palermo had a great season and came in 5th place, earning a spot on next years Europa League. Pinilla's main competition in Palermo will be struggling for the attacking spots with Edison Cavani and Fabrizio Miccoli, they scored 32 goals together last season.

Saturday goal and failure

Mario Salgado (1-0): Serie B (2010-05-01) Torino - Gallipoli 2-0

Relatively unknown Chilean striker Mario Salgado scored for his Torino against Gallipoli. Salgado is a 28 year old who has been playing for different Italian clubs for almost 10 years. Torino is currently in 6th place, four points up to being promoted to Serie A with four matches left. Salgado has not played for La Roja, except for some sub-20 matches some years ago, and he has only played four games for Torino this season. Therefore I doubt that he will be called up to La Roja for the World Cup. The goal was pretty nice, a header from far away directly from a corner, watch it here below.



Now some sad news. Luis Jiménez has been sent out for the third time this season for Parma. Today in the game against Roma, he received his second yellow card at the 88th minute. As he was lent in from West Ham in January this year, he has as mentioned been sent out three times in eleven games. This is not acceptable for any professional player.

Picture: Google

Pinilla & Jiménez are out

As I wrote yesterday, Valdés and Pizarro are doubtful about their future in the Chilean team. Now it is Mauricio Pinilla's turn to tell us that he will most likely NOT play for Chile in South Africa. In an interview, the Grosseto attacker said that he gives up hopes in playing for Bielsa's team. He thinks that Bielsa already has a team that he believes in and that "outsiders" like him will not get a chance to prove their skills. Pinilla has played in the national team, however he has shown an immature personality in his younger years that still haunts him. The Serie B top scorer will not play for Grosseto more this season due to an injury and is also placed in several higher ranked Italian clubs. Today there were rumors of Jiménez's Parma has laid an offer for the striker.

At the same time, Jiménez also speaks about the same issue in another interview. He believes that the Italian based players (excluding Sanchéz & Isla) are not a priority for Bielsa's plans. Jiménez speaks warm of Valdés, who is a friend even though their different clubs.

Pictures from: http://www.transfermarkt.de

Happy Chilean Easter Weekend

Alexis Sanchez (1-0): Serie A (2010-04-03) Udinese - Juventus 3-0

El "niño maravilla" scored the first goal against the old lady Juventus. His Udinese managed to win big, by three goals and are safe from relegation at this moment. The goal was pretty nice, a shot from Di Natale that touched the bar, and the rebound went to Alexis Sanchez that did not make any mistake. He is often a starting player of the team and is also a prospect to be seen at the World Cup. I'm sure that nobody will doubt his talent.

Jaime Valdés (1-0): Serie A (2010-04-03) Atalanta - Siena 2-0

Valdés is once again a goalscorer in Italian Serie A. Atalanta is in a struggle for survival in the league and, with the win against Siena they are only three points behind safe-place 17 which Lazio currently are holding. The goal from Valdés? It is a beautiful shot from outside the area, watch it below.

Mauricio Pinilla (0-1): Serie B (2010-04-02) Ascoli - Grosseto 1-1

Pinilla has scored once again for Grosseto in Serie B. His team are targeting a Serie A place, only three points behind. Next week, they will play against at home against Vicenza which are on 16th place. Pinilla's goal is OK, scoring with the tip of his toe from a center. Will Bielsa take him out after scoring almost 30 goals in a season? Pinilla hasn't played any game for La Roja since they appointed Bielsa. Can he be a Joker for the Chilean team in South Africa?

Humberto Suazo (2-0): La Liga (2010-04-03) Real Zaragoza - Malaga 2-0

Suazo has scored again, this time against Malaga. Zaragoza has really transformed since January when Suazo and others were brought in to the team. They are on 15th place and is expected a mid-table placement. The goal was really nice, a real striker move by Suazo. El Chupete with El niño maravilla on his side will cause many nightmares for Spain's, Swiss' and Honduran defenders.

Serie B goals

Mauricio Pinilla (1-0): Serie B (2010-03-27) Grosseto - Cesena 1-1

Pinilla continues to produce goals for Grosseto in Serie B. He scored one from the penalty spot in the game against Cesena. Grosseto and Brescia both have 49 points, right behind the top 3 teams in the Serie B. Watch the goals below.



Nicolás Córdova (1-1): Serie B (2010-03-27) Albinoleffe - Brescia 1-1

Nicolás Córdova scored the early equalizing goal for Brescia against Albinoleffe. Brescia are now on third place, two points behind the spot for Serie A next season. Pinilla's Grosseto are rivals right behind on the same points. Córdova is a thirty-one-year old central midfielder who has played for several Italian clubs since 2002. Unfortunately he has only played three games for Chile, and may not be an option for Bielsa's squad for the World Cup.

One week closer to the World Cup

Chilean goalscorers in Europe week 11.

Rodrigo Tello (1-1): Turkcell Süper Lig (2010-03-19) Kasimpasa - Besiktas 2-2

Rodrigo Tello has been an important player for Besiktas. The team is currently on 4th place, one point after leading Galatasaray. The 30-year old allrounder scored the second goal of the game. Beautiful? Judge by yourself.



Mauricio Pinilla (1-0 + 2-0): Serie B (2010-03-20) Grosseto - Sassuolo 2-2

Chilean striker Maurico Pinilla is probably the most talked about player of the Serie B right now. His team Grosseto is currently on fifth place only one point to Serie A advancement. Pinilla's 22 goals have made an echo in higher division clubs and it is said that Fiorentina have their eyes on him. Pinilla is known for frequently changing clubs, having played for different clubs in seven countries despite the young age of 26. Although, he has the ability to score goals, and this weekend he scored two against Sassuolo. Watch them below.