Chile Squad Announced (last week) – Vidal returns to La Roja

Vidal; Back in La Roja.

The importance and of Arturo Vidal to Chile was evident last week as Claudio Borghi named his 25-man squad for the upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifying double header against Bolivia and Venezuela.

Serving a 10 game suspension from the national side, along with Carlos Carmona, Gonzalo Jara, Jean Beausejour and Jorge Valdivia for the part they played in the ‘Chile 5′in November last year, it was expected Vidal would miss the crucial qualifying matches with Chile lying 5^th in the qualification table.

However Vidal has been pardoned by the ANFP – Chilean Football Association – allowing him to take his place in Borghi’s squad.

In the last few weeks Arturo has been one of the star players in Serie A, scoring four goals in his last eight games, as Juventus claimed their first Serie A title since relegation to Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal that engulfed the Italian Peninsula in 2006.

Chile Announce Squad to face Ghana in the States

La Roja (image: prensafutbol.com)

With a host of big names missing Claudio Borghi has named a predominantly home-based squad for the upcoming friendly with Ghana on Wednesday the 29^th of February in Pennsylvania, United States.

Twelve of the 21 players selected ply their trade in the Primera División, and of that 12 half play for Universidad de Chile. And with six first team players called up it has caused a predicament for Jorge Sampaoli with La U pencilled in to play Cobreloa on the28th, a match rescheduled from the opening day.

Of course the ‘Chile 5’ are suspended while injuries have limited defensive options. Yet with 10 goals conceded in four World Cup qualifiers it gives ‘Bichi’ a chance to look at alternative options as he strives to give his expansive system a solid base. Audax Italiano’s Lucas Domínguez and O’Higgins’ Luis Casanova are unfamiliar names that have been given call-ups in defence.