Chile was all smiles and fulfilled their potential when they defeated Spain 2-0 at the Estadio Maracanã on Wednesday. For them it was a reconfirmation of the potential that the team had individually as well as collectively.
Many looked at Chile as a team always playing on the edge. Their frenetic pressure in all sectors, where wave after wave come after the player with the ball, always put them on the edge of greatness or disaster. It was tiki taka meets speed metal when you saw them against Spain as they all flew around the pitch with reckless abandon and flustered the reigning champions. Some might say it was the best interpretation of “Bielsism.”
Their style has been hailed as one of the most exciting ones in the World Cup and those that looked forward to seeing them in this tournament have not been disappointed one bit. Yet for Chile it was a return to the roots that were established by Marcelo Bielsa when he arrived on Chilean soil and left something greater than success. It left an identity. This is why Jorge Sampaoli’s arrival was one of the most important moves in Chilean soccer history. It wasn’t just him getting the team back on track. It was a continuation of a project interrupted.
Less than 18 months ago, Chile found itself “on the edge” but for a completely different set of reasons. Claudio Borghi was sacked after his disastrous tenure as coach of La Roja after several embarrassing incidents off the pitch and on it. The team was on the outside looking in when it came to World Cup qualification. Under Borghi, the team lost three consecutive matches and dropped out of World Cup qualifying positions.
What was more important was not that they lost those matches; it was that Borghi lost the team. The infamous “Bautizazo” incident where many of the leaders of the Chilean squad, including Arturo Vidal, were caught drinking late at night at a baptism was unfortunate. Borghi’s erratic management of the squad was what caused a great division within the squad and saw the team go downhill after he removed several players involved in that incident.
Borghi also changed some things tactically and the squad was a far cry from that they were when Bielsa was coach. Due to their disposition, Chile did not press as much as they once did and were vulnerable giving up more spaces than they did before. It was evident in some of their losses in qualifying to teams like Colombia and Argentina at home. The match that really was the final straw was the match against Peru in Lima.
Enter Sampaoli
The former Universidad de Chile manager was one of the most successful South American coaches of that time and he saw that two things were needed: (1) have the leaders return and (2) play like Bielsa had them. Sampaoli is a Bielsa apostle in his passion and has his obsessive attention to even the most minute detail.
Chile didn’t surprise me. I picked them in my office pool.
There play is “pro-active” and the big plus (factor) is that the WC is being played in their continent.
This is much different than the 2010 WC. While African teams wanted to do well at “home” The South Americans oblivious want the same but have more internal passion and that special desire that are mere words. And they are a good team with an excellent Manager.
What does it matter if the tournament is in South America?
I doubt the Chilean players care if it’s in Africa, North America, or Europe.
The fact that it was in South America had no effect on them beating Spain.
Jake, with all do respect, it does matter to the Chileans and all South Americans (all of the Latin Americans).
Latin Americans have a special passion and thinking when a tournament such as the WC is played in their Home turf. They are very proud and patriotic and want to show the world the can play with and beat the European Teams.
As I said, it pride, passion and a strong inner drive.
My father is from South American I know of what I speak of.
That doesn’t make sense to me.
If playing in South America gets 10% more out of them than it would on another Continent then thats just plain unprofessional.
As a professional footballer the stadium and location should not affect the way you play at all. It’s just how I see it.
Brazil played in front of their fans after getting a favorite tag they didn’t deserve and have been a massive disappointment in both their games yet they are the host team and the Favorites.
I’m pretty sure that the Latin Americans have proven that they can beat the Europeans. They’ve done so in 7 world cup finals and numerous other World Cup matches.
If playing in South America (America’s period) doesn’t make a difference then why is that no European Team has won the WC in the Americas? (1950, 1962, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994) I’m not counting the 1930 WC as many European Teams did not go. And only one South American team won the WC in Europe.
Has nothing to do with being “unprofessional”.
Or maybe they didn’t win. The location bhas nothing to do with results of the World Cup now.
What your saying is that something intangible like the location will affect teams that aren’t from the host nation. Being on the same continent doesn’t matter.
I’ve heard numerous professionals say that stadium location and area doesn’t affect their performances and it shouldn’t unless it’s something like the weather. Other than that you’re playing on grass with the same ball against XI men.
Chile beat Spain whether that game was in Europe, Africa etc.
As for why no European side has won it there maybe it’s because they just didn’t perform on the night.
The problem with your explanation that playing on their continent make them give 10% more is that the teams patriotism shows no matter what WC they show up in. You failed to mention that every single South American team did get out of group stage in 2010.
You know it’s OK to accept the fact that a team try to give its best no matter what WC they play in. It’s OK to accept that Chile has been very good in the past few years and this is a continuation of their very good 2010 WC run.
“special desire that are mere words.” should have read: “that are Not mere words”
Nothing against Chile but anybody could have beat Spain that day.
Tipped as dark horses to win over here. Between them and Colombia as my favourite teams to watch so far.
I think it could be some atmosphere if they play Brazil in the second round.