Spain needs a victory to qualify for the next stage, while the Chileans can do with a draw. The top of Group H will surely be dyed in red by Saturday, who will make it to the best 16?
Three South American teams have a perfect score up to the moment. Brazil, Argentina and Chile have won every single match they've disputed, while Spain has been on the spotlight as the otherwise favorite for the title will have to defeat Marcelo Bielsa's squad to depend only on themselves to advance to the round of 16. Spain is a specialist on ball possession and Chile will have to do with two key midfielders, Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez, having both seen their second yellow card against Switzerland. Everything can happen on Friday, will the Fury defeat Bielsa's strategical line up?1998's memories
Both teams have the World Championship that took place in France tattooed in their memories: Chile made its last advance to the second round in France, while Spain entered a winning streak that has secured their place within the best 16 in every occasion from that moment on.
Chile is one of the biggest surprises of this group stage. Lead by Alexis Sanchez, the South Americans have shown the world the importance of a strong attack line. Sanchez occupies a vital position in South American football known as the Enganche; as Bielsa did with Riquelme when he was Argentina's coach, most of the Chilean advance relies on his finesse, but Spain will probably asphyxiate Wonderkid. Without Matias Fernandez, Humberto Suazo might be isolated by Iker Casillas' side if Sanchez is not able to build bridges in the last meters, and Chupete has already shown he's not yet fully recovered from his injuries.
Jorge Valdivia played a regular match against Honduras in the debut match, but left his place to Humberto Suazo for the Swiss' clash. It is expected to see him again in the starting eleven in Fernandez's place, but who will take Carmona's one? The only modifications Bielsa introduced in the first two matches have been between players of an aggressive nature, but specially against Spain he will need to obtain as much technique as possible in the midfield. Fabian Orellana will be Sanchez's ideal partner in the midfield, agile and unpredictable, but this might overload Mauricio Isla, though he has proven to be omnipresent in the first two matches. Jean Beausejour and Mark Gonzalez have not been particularly efficient up to now, will Esteban Paredes be given an opportunity to perform this time from the first minute?
Iniesta's return
This is a must-win match for Vicente del Bosque and his squad, for if Switzerland wins against Honduras (Which one should expect, having already taken Spanish blood) both Chile and Switzerland will end with 6 points, and only by goal difference could Fernando Torres' team secure his ticket to the round of 16. Luckily they'll be taking on a weakened team, specially now Bielsa is considering a three-man back line to keep the pressure on the Spanish area.
David Villa was the hero of the last match, scoring the two goals that earned their first points in the competition. Nevertheless he wasted a penalty kick that would have given a handshake of fresh air to their worried spirit. Cesc Fabregas's appearance in the last 30 minutes of Honduras' match showed how more efficient the team could be with the future Blaugrana's midfielder, but the biggest news for this clash is Andres Iniesta's return, who will be already testing his interaction but Barcelona's new striker David Villa. Fernando Torres has not been the same after his injury a few months ago: We have not seen the ferocity and sheer efficiency Liverpool's striker has us accustomed to. Chile's defenders will be a tough nut to crack, with Boca's Gary Medel going through his best moment wearing the Roja.
“The team has found the path to follow and the only thing we need to improve upon is our finishing” were Sergio Ramos' hopeful words. Spain international's expertise will be tested against a raging American squad, will they resist proudly against Chile?
