Match 47: Chile-Spain 25 June (Pre-Match)

They are also the defending European champions, their fans don`t trust fully in their team and coach, and are mad at them for loosing against Switzerland, putting them in the position where they are now, depending mainly in what they can achieve against us, when before the world cup started, they were convinced that by now, they already would have achieved their classification to the next round.

And we, on the other side, were second in Conmebol qualy`s being the second top scorer team with the overall scorer in our team, have similar results playing at home or as a visitor to other teams in the preparation matches, In this world Cup are actually the leaders of the group, have two straight victories, haven`t lost a game yet, haven`t received any goals yet, and mostly that we were able to do what they couldn`t do, by not only not receiving a goal, but by wining against Switzerland, which proves that we are probably more resourceful than them, at the hour of attacking and defending our chances.

 

From Chile's perspective, this game should be different because Spain is going to come forward and attack us, unlike what Honduras and Switzerland did. This would give us a chance of finding more spaces and more opportunities to score. In addition, whoever finishes first on this group will have the "pleasure" of avoinding Brazil in the second round. My prediction 2-2 tie. As we know, Chile has two suspended players for this game: Carmona and Fernandez. We have to see who their replacements would be; in addition there is a rumor that David Villa, might get suspended by the video, after he hit an honduras player on his face. We should see...

 

When teams sit back and let us come to them is when we have the most difficulty, as with Switzerland the other day and previously against teams like Uruguay, Paraguay (santiago), Venezuela etc...

But when the other team has the onus and it is them that have to look for the result, that is when we are at our best. This is the type of game in which we disassembled Peru in Lima, when we eliminated Colombia in Medellin, and when we beat Paraguay in Asunsion. Of course this is just to say that we do better when the other team needs the win, it suits our style, not to suggest that any of these teams are anywhere near Spain in terms of quality.

Anyways, as a Chilean fan i'm comfortable with the game for a few reasons

- our defense is looking better than it has in a long time
- Spain cannot be comfortable should they get a 1 goal lead and will therefore have to keep looking to score and (hopefully) leave open spaces
- I can't see Honduras going 3 and out, Switzerland will not have an easy time with the central americans
- more than being fearful of elimination i am excited at the prospects of eliminating what was up until recently the best team in the world


there are, of course, a few things that make me nervous
- no Carmona (our best midfielder thus far)
- we're wasting a lot of chances
- Spain is the most talented team in the WC


But if Switzerland beat them, so can we

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El3z83tumSQ&feature=related"]YouTube- Spain vs Switzerland in Lego- Spain Loss - World Cup 2010[/ame]

 

Referee: Marco Rodríguez (Mexico).

 

Debateable, at the very least.

 

I completely agree. We are still in control of our destiny, as is Spain.

I can't vouch for what the Chilean media says (because most of it it's crap) but most people are understandably worried about playing a world class side like Spain, who's already beat us and includes world class players.

Our odds against Brazil are minimal, and I definitely hope we don't face them soon if we qualify to the next round. Even Bielsa realizes that Chile lacks the physical and technical class to guarantee a victory against them. I don't understand this sudden thought that we can beat anyone when our victories in this WC are against Switzerland and Honduras so far, decidedly unexceptional teams.

People are extremely optimistic or pessimistic, and it's completely killing me. We can definitely beat Spain, but it would have to be a nearly perfect game on our part. The fact that Carmona won't be there is worrying, and a non-stopping open game will prove the physical preparation of a team that requires EVERYONE to run and pressure at all times.

It can be argued that our defense hasn't received any goals because it hasn't been truly tested yet, and it concerns me as to whether we can react positively to a negative score early on. Still, there's faith in the work of Bielsa on my part. I saw some flaws in Spain's game that could be exploited and I'm sure Bielsa is aware of their flaws as well as ours.

I just hope we can improve our ratio of converted chances.

 

We HAVE to convert Friday if we stand any chance of controlling our OWN destiny. Yes, it is unfortunate Carmona will be out. That man never tires. Vidal has to offer more and get more playing time. If Spain plays that plodding set-up game that they did against Honduras, I LOVE our chances. We'll see though. I really think the best bet is Switzerland and Honduras ending up in a tie Friday. But, it's funny..the closer we get to the game Friday, the more confident I am in our team.I can't wait to see Medel against Villa and/or Torres. That would be huge if Villa is suspended. I had no idea he messed with a player last game.

 

So no answers on the leopard clad Milf from the Chile - Hondura game?

 

With all of the pre-Cup hype and expectations, Spain clearly seems to be under the most pressure for a result. Chile needs to play smart (though not necessarily conservatively) in the early stages – the longer the match stays level the more likely that Chile will be able to catch Spain with a well-timed counterattack.

Chile has played some skilled attacking football so far, and I hope it continues against Spain – they have been fun to watch and would be a real shame for Chile to head home despite having 2 wins.

Con el fútbol, todos ganamos!

 

Honduras will get a result vs. Swiss leaving Chile in the clear.

They held up fairly well vs Mexico and USA in qualifying, and held Chile and Spain to 1 and 2 goals. Defensive Swiss can't ''all of a sudden'' convert to offensive futbol, all they know is defense and 'arratonarse atras'

El Salvador 0 V 1 Honduras
Honduras 2 V 3 United States
Mexico 1 V 0 Honduras
Honduras 4 V 1 Trinidad and Tobago
Honduras 4 V 0 Costa Rica
Honduras 1 V 0 El Salvador
United States 2 V 1 Honduras
Honduras 3 - 1 Mexico
Trinidad and Tobago 1 - 1 Honduras
Mexico 2 - 1 Honduras
Canada 1 - 2 Honduras
Honduras 2 - 0 Jamaica
Honduras 3 - 1 Canada
Jamaica 1 - 0 Honduras
Honduras 1 - 0 Mexico

 

i guess. but who's been better? he's the only one that has played all 180 minutes, and is in charge of preventing the rival midfielders from moving up with posession (which is what has allowed us to thrive)...

Valdivia hasn't played enough, Mati has been off form, Vidal gets subbed in both games + played a a defender the first, Jean has played primarily as a forward....

 

Notice though, that Vidal has been changed as a reaction to opposing formations, rather than any poor display on his behalf.

Bielsa always plays with 1 more defender than the opponent. So if Spain uses 1 striker Chile will play with 4 at the back, where Vidal and Isla will bomb forward for most of the match, leaving only 2 men behind.

If Spain switch to the Villa, Torres combo, then Chile will sacrifice either Vidal or Isla for Jara and play with 3 men at the bottom who will not bomb forward nearly as much as the fullbacks in a line of 4.

...back to the Spain v Chile match...

After watching Spain against Honduras, I changed my mind and definitely fancy our chances to get something out of this. Spain have started slow and in a way we have been lucky to meet them this early on in the competition as we can tackle them while they are still looking to regain the Euro Cup form.

I can see Sanchez causing all sorts of havoc in the Spanish back-line...I would even throw Orellana in the mix...with the two pacy wingers we can create space for Suazo and also make some dangerous counter-attacking runs into the box.

Should be good. I can see a tight game, winning or loosing by no more than 1 goal...which could be enough for both of us as I also don't see Switzerland beating Honduras.

 

Suazo isn't playing on friday, he's not fit.

 

Is there any chance he could be back for the Round of 16 if we're to make it that far? Seeing as how it would only be a few days more rest. If there is one positive from it, it creates a sense of urgency amongst the team where they have to work even harder to make a presence in and around the box, which they haven't had a problem with so far. They just need to convert.

 

cual es el mejor cruce posible para chile - en caso de avanzar?

 

Portugal obviously. Brazil has our number.

 

Que bacan que se haya ido Italia para la casa, no me puede dejar de expresar mi felicidad por eso. Todo en la vida se paga, asi como hace cuatro anhos ganaron el mundial de manera arreglada y con ayudas arbitrale, ahora se fueron para la casa no mas. Y Eso qeu al final les anularon un gol al final. A lo mejor si Medina Cantalejo estaba de arbitro, lo validaban seguramente......

 

That's tricky because Villa will probably play on the left wing but with freedom of movement. Which leads us to...

...since Villa won't be there to defend, and is not used to, and since Capdevilla has been in bad form, I'm actually worried about Alexis Sánchez. Unless Del Bosque somehow decides to start Arbeloa.

 

Jesus !!!........., still almost 20 hours for this match and since I already ate all my hands fingernails, guess I`ll have to start eating the nails from my toes and fingernails from my feet.......I wonder how a foot will taste, in case they run out so fast........