World Cup Previews: Chile

CHILE

8th trip to World Cup
Best finish: 3rd place in 1962 (HOST)

HEAD COACH
Marcelo Bielsa(The Madman)
He has revolutionized the Chilean demeanor in soccer and has helped usher in the "golden age" of Chilean soccer. Hopefully he can make up for his failure with Argentina at the 2002 World Cup.
(LSU comparison: Saban's temper with Miles riverboat gambler decision making shades of 2007)

Formations

3-3-1-3
3-4-3

Players you need to know



GOALKEEPER
Claudio Bravo-(Real Sociedad)-Frustrating. Has games where he is outstanding and then games that make you forget about those outstanding games.
(LSU comparison:Drake Nevis)


DEFENSE
Gary Medel "Pitbull" (Boca Juniors)-Very intense and versatile defender, playing midfield at times. Has a very aggressive style to his play. He is the leader on defense and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Easily one of the best defenders in South America and was a key to the Chilean defense in qualifiers.
(LSU comparison:Bradie James)

Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen)-once again another versatile midfield/defensive player. He plays with a ton of flare and is very skilled. Has the potential to play at the highest level. Has a bit of an arrogance to him that clashed with Biesla in the beginning, but he adapted and is now a staple of the Chilean national team.

(LSU comparison: LaRon Landry)

Defense as a whole is definitely Chile's weakness. Their isn't much height on the back line thus teams with aerial attacks might abuse them. Because of Chile's aggressive nature on offense, they're not given too much support in the counter attack. They do their job though and obviously were good enough to hold the line all the way to 2nd place in CONMEBOL.
(LSU comparison: 2002 Sugar Bowl defense)


MIDFIELD
This is where Chile has the most depth and draws most of their offensive success from. However some of the talent at mid did not make the 23 man roster cut. Whether it be Jorge Valdivia or Matias Fernandez, forwards Alexis Sanchez and Humberto Suazo are always found in the attack.

Matias Fernandez(Sporting CP)-A talented midfielder that has yet to put it all together on the club level. He shows flashes of brilliance and fortunately for Chile, he tends to show up more often than not. He was instrumental in solidifying the Chilean midfield in the qualifiers. He is a free kick specialist with great dribbling ability. His vision is good, but is not as good as fellow midfielder Jorge Valdivia. He is still very young but he has potentially reached his ceiling after being highly touted at a young age. He does remain an integral piece to the Chilean machine.
(LSU comparison: Tasmin Mitchell)

"Call me bitches."


Jorge Valdivia 'El Mago' (The Magician)- (Al Ain FC) Yes, Al Ain FC, I know just as much as you know about this team, NOTHING. I don't understand why he chose to play for them. Has been compared to Tomáš Rosický and has the best dribbling skills on the team. Wiki will tell you he has been compared to Messi, but he reminds me of Ronaldinho. He is very crafty and I guarantee he'll make you say "wow" a few times with his vision, dribbling, and overall playmaking ability. He would be an incredible addition to any top flight club. But, his off the field decision making is questionable.
(LSU comparison: Ryan Perrilloux)

Hilarious son of a bitch on the field. Youtube link below. He knows he is talented as hell.
"I'm better than you."
(2:14-2:18 )

Other notable:Carlos Carmona (Reggina)Very reliable central mid. Part of Chile's youth infusion. Should be a regular for years to come on the national side.
(LSU comparison: Jacob Cutera)
This group is the backbone of the team and they determine just how far Chile will go.
(LSU comparison: 2009 LSU Baseball pitching staff)


FORWARDS
Chile has excellent forwards in Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez. They are both different types of players but compliment each other very well. In terms of World Cup roster depth, Biesla made this group a priority.

Alexis Sanchez-(Udinese)plays mostly as a winger. He is known as "El Niño Maravilla" (the Wonder Boy). Very talented on the attack and has great dribbling skills rivaling that of Valdivia. Youtube link below. Has a chance to be named best young footballer at the World Cup.
Dirty Sanchez

(LSU comparison-Trindon Holliday)

Humberto Suazo-(Real Zaragoza)-Chile's fearless on the field leader. He is a warrior through and through on the football field. He has an arsenal of shots and is integral to Chile's hopes of advancing past the round of 16. He recently injured his hamstring in a friendly against Israel. He could miss the games against Honduras and Switzerland. Chile is hopeful he will return against Spain.

(LSU comparison-Charles Scott with more speed)

Other notable: Mark Gonzalez-(CSKA Moscow)-"Speedy González"-Lightning quick winger who helps push the pace of the Chilean attack.
(LSU comparison-Skyler Green)

If Chile is without Suazo's services, their forwards will transform into a very quick group with Fabian Orellana taking Suazo's place. Orellana and Sanchez are both 5'7, so it would be a midget attack. Chile loses any chance of having an aerial attack on offense as well.
(LSU comparison:2007 LSU Football offense)

Predictions
Chile 3 Honduras 1
Chile 1 Switzerland 1
Chile 2 Spain 3

Chile advances to round of 16.

Chile 1 Brazil 4

Chile should be a lethal darkhorse in Brazil 2014.


If I could choose Chile's fate, I'd have them avoid Brazil at all costs in the round of 16, which would give Chile a great shot at advancing to the round of 8 at the least. This offense is scary good and is going to be a World Cup favorite. As long as they avoid teams with a deadly aerial attack and lethal counter attack (Brazil), Chile has the potential to make alot of noise.

Must watch games:

Chile-Switzerland:polar opposites, should be a great game to see how the young Chilean players handle the technically sound Swiss.

Chile-Spain:SHOOTOUT

Final say: Sanchez and Vidal, if they impress, will be playing for top clubs by 2014. Valdivia has all the talent in the world, but who knows where he'll end up? Medel stands to make the biggest name for himself this tournament. As for Fernandez, it is all a mind issue with him. A great performance on the world's biggest stage could propel him to the level expected of him after winning South American Footballer of the year in 2006. Fielding one of the youngest teams in the tournament, they are new on the scene and play an exciting brand of football. They are always in attack mode whether at home or on the road. Teams that are less talented and play at a slower pace have the chance to frustrate them. Ultimately the Round of 16 will be their last appearance at the dance.
(LSU comparison:99-00 Men's Basketball team)