Sunday glory

Alexis Sanchéz (1-2): Serie A (2010-05-02) Cagliari - Udinese 2-2

Once again, El Niño Maravilla scores for his Udinese. He has really exploded lately and will hopefully bring this great form to the World Cup, so Spanish defenders - WATCH OUT!
The goal? It was pretty basic, he stood unmarked at a center and could head the ball from close. But once again, he stood at the right place at the right time.



Rodrigo Tello (1-3): Turkcell Süper Lig (2010-05-02) Diyarbakirspor - Besiktas 1-3

Tello scored again for Besiktas in their game against Diyarbakirspor. It was the last goal of the game and it came from a firm header. Besiktas are currently in fourth place in the Turkish league, however they have no chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, so they will play in Europa League instead. Tello is one of few players that are definitely up for a spot on the Chilean World Cup team.

FourFourTwo Interview Tello

World known football magazine FourFourTwo has posted an interview of Chilean player Rodrigo Tello, a 30-year old winger currently playing for Besiktas in Turkey. I will post a passage below but read the whole interview here.

Chile's squad, which has the youngest average age of all the South American teams, boasts one of the World Cup's potential stars in 21-year-old forward Alexis Sanchez, midfielder Rodrigo Tello told Reuters.

Sanchez, who plays for Italy's Udinese, has scored three times in his last four Serie A outings.

"We have a lot of players who have a lot of hunger, they want to play like they did in the street before, at home," said Tello, whose name reverberated around Europe in November when his goal secured Turkey's Besiktas a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford which ended the Premier League side's 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League stretching back to 2005.

"They like putting on Reggaeton music in the team bus," he added with a wry smile, referring to a blend of Reggae, Latin music and Spanish-language rap.

At 30 and a family man, he is one of the veterans in the squad having won a bronze medal with Chile at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

"We have a very young team and we are working with a new coach who has changed our mentality. We had a very tough qualifying and now all the Chilean people expect a lot from us."

Picture: Google

Sanchéz scores again

Alexis Sanchéz (3-1): Serie A (2010-04-25) Udinese - Siena 4-1

For the second game in a row, Alexis Sanchéz scores for Udinese. This time it was against bottom team Siena which they beat with 4-1. The goal was like many other times a shot from inside the penalty area. El niño maravilla has an ability to be @ the right place @ the right time this year. He also managed to get a penalty kick with him as he was tripped inside the penalty area at the end of the game, allowing Antonio Di Natale score his 25(?) goal for the season. Amazing! Watch the goal below.

GOAL interview Jiménez

Chilean player Luis Jiménez was interviewed by Sergio Stanco from football magazine Goal about his career and chances of playing in the World Cup. I present a short passage of the interview, you can read the rest here.

GOAL: What does the Chile national team represent for the people after the Earthquakes?

LJ: Even though I wasn’t a part of the group of players who helped qualify the nation, I think that the players who were a part of the side followed the situation very closely, because the Chilean population did go through an Earthquake.

GOAL: How are your reports with Bielsa? What is your role in the National team?

LJ: With Bielsa, I have an excellent relationship. Before going to West Ham, I needed a document that would allow me to play in England (like a visa), and he helped me to obtain it, saying that I was an important player for the national team. The group of players that he used, though, did very well and seeing that they finished second in the qualification group, I believe that the World Cups go those who have earnt them. Personally, I doubt I will go.

GOAL: A Chilean player you believe is an excellent acquisition for European or Italian football in particular?

LJ: To say [Udinese striker] Alexis Sanchez would be too easy seeing that he is doing very well in Italy. I suggest Waldo Ponce, the Chilean defender who plays for Universidad Catolica.

GOAL: How come Matiaz Fernandez has not been able to impose himself like many imagined?

LJ: I ask myself the same thing (laughs). It is very strange. He arrived in Europe, to Villarreal, after being elected as the best South American player, but has not been able to make a name for himself like he knows. At Sporting now, he is doing well, but not at the level we all expected him to. He is not demonstrating his qualities on a continual basis.

Sanchéz goal

Alexis Sanchéz (1-0): Coppa Italia 1/2 finals (2010-04-21) Udinese - Roma (1-0)

'El Niño Maravilla' scored beautifully once again, this time against league leaders Roma in the second match of the semi finals of Coppa Italia. Udinese won by Sanchéz only goal but are still defeated due to Roma winning the first game in february. The goal can be seen below.

Weekend goals

Alexis Sanchéz (0-1): Serie A (2010-04-11) Livorno - Udinese 0-2

'El niño maravilla' has woken up late this season scoring for the second week in a row. His goal came early in the game, allowing Udinese to have an advantage throughout the rest of teh game. Hopefully he will keep this good form for the World Cup which starts in two months. Alexis currently said that he is enjoying this period in his career. We have high expectations of you.

Luis Jiménez (2-3): Serie A (2010-04-11) Napoli - Parma 2-3

Jiménez was loaned to Parma from Inter (via West Ham) during the transfer opening in January and has made quite an impression on Parma. He has been expulsed two games in a row in February. Today, he scored the last goal for Parma, who's had a descent season as newcomers of Serie A. Jimenez has played about 20 games for Chile, even a few as a captain. However, his appearance under Bielsa's team has not been great, he has only played two games in the qualifying round back in 2007.



Arturo Vidal (1-1): Bundesliga (2010-04-10) Leverkusen - Bayern München 1-1

Arturo Vidal has been one of Leverkusen's best player this season. The team has been at the top of the league most of the season. This weekend Leverkusen played against rivals Bayern München, who are league leaders and Champions League semi-finalists. The game ended 1-1 and Vidal's goal was not the nicest, a rebound from a freekick placed him alone in front of the goal, but he's a defensive midfielder whose yellow cards are far more common than goals. His importance for the both Leverkusen and La Roja is indisputable and I see no problem in him being a starter of La Roja's first three games in the World Cup.

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.

How to make it to the final ...

Chilean goalscorers in Europe from this last week.

Alexis Sanchez (1-1): Serie A (2010-02-24) Udinese - Cagliari 2-1

Not the greatest goal, but Udinese are in a great need of points. Believe me, there are nicer goals coming ;)



Mark Gonzalez (1-1): Champions Leauge (1/8) (2010-02-24) CSKA - Sevilla 1-1
Speedy Gonzalez saved CSKA with a wonderful shot from distance. Sevilla's Palop didn't have a chance.



Claudio Bravo (1-0): Liga Adelante (2010-02-14) Real Sociedad - Gimnastic 1-0

Goalkeeper (!) Bravo scored the only goal in the match when he struck a freekick right outside the area. Who would have thought. Might we see a copy against Spain in the World Cup? I wish!



Matias Fernandez (3-0): Europa Leauge (2010-02-25) Sporting Lissabon - Everton 3-0

Goooooooolaaaaaaaazo, de Matigol. Just watch... CR9 who?