Chile

Being a dark horse is not an easy job – your victories are not a surprise to anybody but you are still weaker than the favorites. Chile is a strong team, but might be the victim of a tough draw.

From individualism to collectivism

Although Chile advanced to top 4 in 19 Copa America’s and four times they ended up as runners-up, it was only after their good 2010 World Cup run, they were started to be recognized as a solid team. Yes, before they had footballers like Ivan Zamorano or Marcelo Salas, but never really played good football and generally relied on their strikers to do the job.

It changed when Marcelo Bielsa took charge of the Chile national team. A lot has been said about him changed generally a reactive team to a proactive one. One that uses a lot of pressing and utilises a high defensive line. His main change though has been a new paradigm – a shift from an individualism towards more collective, cohesive unit. New playing style wouldn’t have been possible, if it wasn’t for this mental change.

Bielsa expected Chile to play almost mechanical football and put philosophy above formations, which he changed constantly. Chile advanced into the knockout stages four years ago but lost to Brazil in Round of 16. Either way, it was a good tournament for Chile and the likes of Mauricio Isla, Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal became recognised all over Europe.

The best of Serie A and La Liga

Now they are even better and although Bielsa is long gone, they have his disciple in charge. Jorge Sampaoli became recognised when he lead Universidad de Chile to a Copa Sudamericana victory. He was more Bielsa than Bielsa himself, focusing on pressing but changing formations almost every game and used probably all possible (from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3) along the way.

Chile has one of the strongest backbones in the World Cup and also the most complete central midfielder around. Arturo Vidal of Juventus plays normally alongside Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba in Serie A but had successful episodes as a centre back in club and as a striker for his country. He’s capable of almost everything, flourishing in a fast attacking football.

It wasn’t a successful season for Alexis Sanchez club-wise, but individually he had a solid campaign scoring goals regularly and being a valuable asset in Barcelona’s pressing. He will be accompanied in Chile’s attack by another La Liga striker – Eduardo Vargas of Valencia, who is on a good path to restore his reputation of being a Napoli transfer  flop. He scored seven goals in seven national appearances.

Playing style

Chile will probably start games using a 3-1-4-2 formation with Sanchez and Vargas upfront. They will play a very offensive, vertical brand of football, and defensively they’ll be looking to win back the wall as soon as possible and as high as possible. This strategy will most likely produce chances at both sides of the pitch.

Coach

Appointing Jorge Sampaoli was a logical consequence of Bielsa’s success in Chile. Current national team coach likes to play the same brand of football, but has a much better knowledge of Chilean players and football in general. If he does well in Brazil, big clubs will come for him.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

13th June, Cuiaba: vs. Australia (2-0)

18th June, Rio de Janeiro: vs. Spain (1-2)

23rd June, Sao Paulo: vs. Netherlands (1-2)

Chile’s chances of advancing into the knockout stages are not very high – just 49%. BETEGY thinks they can be dangerous for both of Spain and Netherlands but should return home with just three points won against Australia.