Chile vs Switzerland Match Preview
Two teams leading their group will be facing each other to secure their presence in the next stage. Spain will be looking forward for anything but a draw, as the top could get out of reach for the Furia if both leaders add one point upon this match.
Marcelo Bielsa is writing history with Chile, as the future appears to be as bright as possible for La Roja, having returned to the top of a world championship group after more than 50 years. With a team full of promises and diamonds in the rough, not even the absence of a legend as Humberto Suazo was enough to quiet this renewed Chilean spirit that advances without caring for the consequences. Alexis Sanchez is the bearer of Bielsa's scheme: Aged 22, Wonder Kid is eager to take Chile further than ever in this competition. Their rival has just defeated Spain, the undisputed favorite for this competition, and taking down an American promise will embed the Swiss with the rage needed to claim Group H's first position.
A game of do or die
Matias Fernandez has been the key player in the Chilean squad, as his interaction with Alexis Sanchez created most of the goal opportunities of the debut match. Chile's lack of efficiency in the last meters will most likely be solved with Humberto Suazo's return, joining Jean Beausejour, current top Chilean striker in the World Cup.
The players are confident of their superiority against the Helvetics, but the victory might leave a bitter aftertaste without more consistency than the one showed in the first match: The ticket for the Knockouts comes with the responsibility of regularity, as a single mistake cannot be forgotten after the group stage. For this matter we might see some modifications from the first starting eleven, to create opportunities for the fittest players to show their expertise and lead the team towards the glory they've been looking for so long.
Team's captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo offered his best during the last matches wearing its National Team colors, allowing Marcelo Bielsa to consider giving up a fourth defender to strengthen team's midfield creation. Both wingers joined constantly the attack during the Honduras' game, but it might be wise for the Loco Bielsa to consider different strategies for the matches to come.
Mauricio Isla was the third cornerstone of Bielsa's scheme for the debut match, and once again he'll play a role of utmost importance as the backbone of Roja's multiple advance. Switzerland is likely to give space for the Chileans to create and surprise them with counter-attacks, forcing Isla to duplicate his efforts in a match where most of the action will take place on the far end of Switzerland's back line.
As long as the threads woven in the first match between Isla, Fernandez and Sanchez remain intact, Suazo will have plenty of opportunities for a glorious return at the Nelson Mandela Bay this Sunday.
Switzerland is not neutral in South Africa
The most surprising match of this competition has been up to the moment Spain's defeat against Switzerland, and Ottmar Hitzfeld will have to show the first victory has not been a gift from the goddess Justice but only the mere and rational consequence of severe training and a clear goal, for the Swiss army has been unbreakable for players of such international expertise as Fernando Torres or Andres Iniesta.
There's no gain without pain, and Hitzfeld will have to do without Philippe Sylvain Senderos after a strong crush against a team mate. Thanks to his goal in the debut match, Gelson Fernandes earned a place in the starting squad, becoming the engine of Swiss' advance.
On the other side, Valon Behrami and team's captain Alex Frei have been training along with the rest of the players and are expected to occupy a place within the starting eleven, offering a whole new offensive perspective for the European squad.
Both teams have similar characteristics and are both drunk on the honeys of success. The top of Group H will surely be dyed in red by Sunday, who will occupy the first place?
