Well, I'm going to the Argentina vs Panama thread. Messi not starting (again) and may not be playing in general. So much for the Centenario.
Chile have become terrible. Pizzi totally ruined what was undoubtedly a world class side in 2014 and 2015. So bad I can actually see Panama beating them. As for Bolivia, they played their hearts out. What a goal from Jhasmani Campos. Was it a penalty? No, it wasn't in my opinion. It just sums up what a joke the officiating has been the whole tournament. 2 wins in 6 post Sampaoli.
I don't recall Chile having a good penalty shout - was that went Sanchez was going left to right and went down left side of the penalty area about 15-16 yards out? I wasn't convinced although would have been good to see more than 1 reply. Again, I only saw 1 reply of that one. Sometimes a different angle gives a different perspective.
There was also a handball in the first half that was more obviously a penalty than the one that was called. If nothing else, hopefully this ends Marrufo's international career. He should have been banned from reffing years ago, he was suspended for a year once for his corruption. He's a complete embarrasment.
I think people are overstating how bad Chile are. They have the same players, are playing in a similar way. They have got a bit worse for some reason. It's too early to judge the new coach on 2 narrow defeats to Argentina and some poor performances in friendlies, but if they don't make the semi final here I might be tempted to agree.
Friends with Chemo Del Solar, and managed together at Colon. They even look the same. Its no wonder why he's terrible
The bigger concern for Chile is the long term trend. Look at the ages of their core group of best players Bravo - 33 Mena - 27 Isla - 27 Sanchez - 27 Vidal - 29 Vargas - 26 Beasejour - 32 Medel - 28 Jara - 30 Aranguiz - 27 Diaz - 29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_América_Centenario_squads#Chile They are all at or close to their peak age. This is a generation that started with the 2010 world cup qualifying campaign (the 2010 world cup team featured about half or more of the same players), and some of these players may choose to retire after the 2018 world cup (assuming Chile qualify, which could be close) or the next Copa America after that. Add 6 years to the above players' ages to get their ages during the 2022 world cup. They'll all be past their peak by then, or retired even. The problem is that Chile do not have any young players coming through. They are currently in something of a golden generation by Chilean standards. By the 2019 Copa America and 2022 world cup qualifying Chile will likely be weaker than now. I could see Chile qualifying for 2018 world cup just about - perhaps by the last space in the playoff. 2022 maybe not.
A bad result is not enough to get him sacked. Chile's Federation, currently, is completely broke and doesn't have enough money to pay no one out. Unfortunately, we are stuck with Pizi still this cycle is over
If the new language of the handball rule is leading that decision being right - then the language needs looking at again
Our generation problem looks the same as the Colombian National team during the 90s(Rincon , Valderrama, Aspirlla, etc) THis current generation of players will be around 30 by the 2018( assuming that we will qualify for it) After that, the future does not look promising.
Yeah what the hell happened to Chile? They're playing as sluggish and disorganized as Claudio Borghi's Chile and playing just as shit. Not used to seeing this Chile , they looked at times like they were being dominated by Bolivia .
Chile was actually worse than this.. Don't you remember the Chile from 2000 - 2002. I don't know how old you were at the time.. but I was like 6 - 8 during those three years.. and I definitely remember Chile losing lots of games.. and I definitely also remember Ecuador's first qualification to the World cup in 2002.. those are my earliest memories of Futbol! I remember crying of joy, watching my mom cry of joy.. I cry right now just thinking about it.
. Oh I know Chile was garbage in the last years of Marcelo salas and bam bam zamorano but I meant I haven't seen a shitty rejuvenated Chilean squad with guys like Sanchez and Vidal since the Borghi coaching days. The Chile were used to is the 2013 post Borghi Chilean team.
Actually, since this same year. Pizzi asumed in February 2016, one month before March WC qualifiers. Sampaoli abandoned (he quit) the team, almost with the change of the year, in January.
In the end Pizzi stopped experimenting and stuck with the style this team was used to. I must admit I am pleasantly surprised. Managers tend to be a foolhardy bunch. He saw the error of his ways and got us back on track.