La Roja
Wind
the clock back to November 2012 – la Roja’s coach Claudio “bicchi” Borghi was sacked after
a 5th straight defeat in a friendly against Serbia . They were hanging at the bottom half of the
World Cup Qualification table with three defeats in four games . They were no
longer the quick , industrious side
which we all admired in 2010 World cup under Marcelo Bielsa . With more assured
build up in possession and enrollment of “Enganche” by Borghi – they became more vulnerable at the back . To be honest they were always vulnerable at the back
– but with their ferocity of pressing they were able cover up the ever present
flaw . Things looked gloomy and World cup Qualification seemed far out of
sight .
There
were quite a few names linked with the La Roja's managerial post – including the
current Barcelona manager Tata Martino . The idea was to return to the Bielsa
model . They decided to appoint Jorge Sampaoli – a self confessed Bielsa disciple . Even though Sampaoli and Bielsa were not that close . The Chilean federation made a choice to go with
the progressive model of Sampaoli than the slightly pragmatic model of Martino
( pragmatic according to Bielsa’s scale ) .
Jorge Sampaoli
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| Sampaoli - " Bielsa a role model and inspiration "
“
A cross between Bielsa , Pep Guardiola and a furious chimpanzee “ – this is
what an avid South American football follower and a close friend of mine had to
say about Sampaoli .
Many
called his Universidad de Chile ( La U ) side “Barcelona of
Americas “. They won the Copa
Sudamericana by thrashing Brasilian giants like Vasco da gama and Flamengo and also won Apertura and clausura titles in 2011 . Won the first nine games of the Chilean
championship – best campaign for a Chilean side in a continental championship –
29 game unbeaten streak – these are some of the feats Sampaoli’s La U side
achieved during his tenure . La U retained the Apertura title next year but lost Copa Libertadores semi-final to Boca Juniors . Interestingly everyone expected Diego Simeone , to take over La U in 2011 – Sampaoli was a
surprise decision . Which the club president later explained that Sampaoli “sold them on
his vision “ .
What
stood out was the way he did this feat at La U . His side generally played a
3-3-1-3 / 4-3-2-1 / 4-3-3 depending on
the opposition . High intensity pressing , creating passing angles , mutual
trust and to play the ball out from the back , even under intense pressure were
some of his La U side's features that stood out from the rest of latin America .
It is one of those situation where the system had a multiplier effect on players
. Sampaoli used Kizanaro to analyze the opposition before every game and making
tactical changes . He finished his La U stint with 80 wins , 35 draws and 20 losses - scoring 268 and conceding 132 .
Qualification
He
started with a 2-0 victory of Paraguay – La Roja played a 3-4-3 in that game .
Continued their run by beating Bolivia and Venezuela with the same scoreline .
The old possession based La Roja under Borghi were no longer to be seen . The
footballing identity La Roja established under Bielsa was back – but with even
more solidity .. They qualified with a game to spare in the end , by beating Ecuador in their final qualifier they earned a direct qualifying spot . Finishing above Uruguay and Ecuador .
With
a 4 game winning streak La Roja just needed a point from the final two games .
Which they got in the very next game against Colombia – which was a typical
South American game which ended 3-3 . la Roja scored the second most goals in qualification with 29 also conceding 25 in the process .
Playing Style
La
Roja have always played with a an additional defender – a back 3 when
opposition plays two strikers and a back 4 against lone striker formation .
They try to win the ball as high up the pitch as possible – you can always see
an immediate vertical run being made ( mostly by vargas or sanchez depending
upon who is further up the pitch ) beyond the opposition defence . Their
transition from defence to attack is admirable – which is also their biggest
strength .
At
times Sampaoli has used Valdivia as the striker or to say a False 9 . Valdivia often
drops deeper than vidal / carmona / Aranguiz to dictate play . Thus providing the
most discussed problem of this era “ whether to follow him or stay behind “ for
the Centre backs . This overloads the midfield – usually leaves Diaz free (
which is potentially dangerous as he can find runs of Vargas or Sanchez with
inch perfect passes ) .
Matias Fernandez was often used
in the #10 role , forming a midfield diamond . La Roja’s tactical versatility
will be the key to their success . Likes of Eduardo Vargas , Carles Aranguiz ,
Eugenio Mena , Jose Rojas , Marcos Gonzalez and Marcelo Diaz were all part of
Sampioli’s La U which shook south American football .
Key Players
Marcelo Diaz - El Motorcito
Marcelo Diaz
As
with every Bielsa model – the pivot is vital . Diaz currently plying his trade
with Basel is their main man . Sets
the tempo of the game to suite their style of play - an archetypal regista . Provides cover to his back four ( or three many times )
Arturo Vidal
Arturo Vidal
A name that needs no introduction to European
football followers - whom Michael Cox recently called "the world's best footballer". The engine room of
chile , perfectly fits Sampioli's vision .
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis sanchez
For
a national which has lacked footballing idols – Alexis has has done a great
job filling the void . Played as a striker / winger – with Sampaoli’s fluid interchanging of positions you can see him all over the pitch . Took responsibility of his side's attack and was instrumental in qualifying campaign .
Weakness
Lack
of quality centre backs has been a issue for them . Gary Medel aka Pitbull has
been filling in the void for them . Set
piece defending has been problematic area . teams who were able to pin them down inside their own box have often exploited their ariel weakness .
Expectation
“ Its safe to say Chile are contenders
“ said Sampaoli . Making his intentions very clear that La Roja are not there
to just make u numbers and will give it their all . He also added “ History says in world cups
people always list the same names as favorites . we will be as competitive as
possible , will not change our style of play at any moment of time “ .
Chile in all honesty play the
most attractive brand of football in South America . They are paired up in a
tough group with Spain and Netherlands . Given they have a fit squad with full strength
they can make it to the knock outs . Nonetheless as neutrals we are set to be
entertained .
Probable squad
It might be a little early for
predicting La Roja’s squad – Sampaoli
before the Costa Rica friendly did say only a very few places are up for grabs
. Provided no one gets injured this will be my prediction of the Chilean squad
that will make it to Brasil . Angelo Henriques stalled development is a big let
down for La Roja .
GK’s : Claudio Bravo , Miguel Pinto , Cristopher Toselli
Defenders : Eugenio Mena , Mauricio Isla , Gary Medel , Gonzalo jara , Jose Rojas , Marcos Gonzales , Pablo Contreras
Midfielders : Marcelo Diaz , Carlos Carmona , Arturo Vidal , Matias Fernandes, Charles Aranguiz , Jean Beausejour , David Pizarro , Felipe Gutierrez .
Forwards : Alexis Sanchez , Eduardo Vargas , Jorge Valdivia , Esteban Paredes , Humberto Suazo
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