Spain-Chile matchpack: Changes ahoy for Del Bosque
Spain might still be reeling from their shock thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands, but they will have to be back on their game as they come up against Chile.
Juan Mata, Vicente del Bosque
The defending champions will be in real danger of joining the ignominious ranks of France in 2002 and Italy in 2010 as winners who went out at the first stage of the following tournament, should they fail to beat the Chileans on Wednesday.
Vicente del Bosque
has promised changes to his side, and it looks like changes will be
required if they are to reverse the desperately lacklustre performance
that saw them humbled by the Dutch.As for Chile, if they secure a surprise win then they are almost certain to secure their place in the next round, following the victory over Australia in the opening game.
TEAM NEWS
Spain have no injury concerns ahead of the match, but Del Bosque says changes will be made. After a performance like the one against the Netherlands, he might be tempted to change the whole team, but instead he will probably limit himself to a few tweaks.
There had also been talk of Iker Casillas being dropped, but the news that David de Gea might miss the rest of the tournament due to a buttock injury might save the Spain skipper.
Chile have no additional injury concerns, although midfielder Arturo Vidal was struggling with a knee problem before the tournament, and had to be withdrawn during the victory over Australia.
EXPECTED LINE-UPS
MANAGER QUOTES
Vicente
del Bosque (Spain): "It was a very hard defeat to swallow, but it is
not a definitive loss. After the match we were very angry with
ourselves, but we're shaking that off. We're professionals and we have
to raise our game in the face of adversity… We will keep some things the
same but we will change others,” the Spain coach said. “We are flexible
in some aspects of the game but stubborn in others. Nobody should be
alarmed by the changes that are made. We will not be singling out
anybody. All of the players have our affection and appreciation. We were
the ones that brought them here. But above any personal considerations,
we have to find solutions for the team.”
Jorge
Sampaoli (Chile): “In short tournaments, you have to make decisions.
Fortunately, we can count on the enthusiasm of the players and the fans.
The support of the people helped to lift the team. But to take on our
other rivals, we must make our matches more complete.The pressure that
we put on in the first 30 minutes was good, we managed to subdue our
opponents.Australia were able to overcome that, but I have a happy
dressing room. There are things that we can do better, this isn’t us at
our best. The players gave their all for the shirt and were very
professional. It was important to start with a win and to do it in this
manner. It doesn’t matter who the next opponents are, the key is to keep
on playing good football. This is for all of the people who have
travelled a long way to see us and support us.”
KEY STATS
Spain,
still reeling from Friday's 5-1 defeat to Netherlands, have never lost
two games in a row under coach Vicente del Bosque since he took over
after Euro 2008
Spain and Chile have met 10 times, with Spain winning eight and two draws
The last time the teams met, in a friendly in Geneva in September last year, Spain needed a Jesus Navas goal in stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw
When
Spain and Chile met in their final game of the group stage at the 2010
World Cup in South Africa, Spain won 2-1 and both teams went through to
the last 16 ahead of Swizerland and Honduras
A host of Chile's key players play for Spanish clubs, including goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad) and forwards Alexis Sanchez
MATCH ODDS
Spain 8-13, Chile 5-1, draw 7-2
