The Chilean coach, the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, has virtually defined the starting lineup, which most likely will not include midfielder Matías Fernández (ACF Fiorentina, Italy) who came from Italy with a slight injury and is being treated to see if he can play at least part of the game.
Despite the absence of Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras, Brazil), ruled out because of injury and the limitations of bruised player Fernández, the Chilean coach downplayed
the midfield weaknesses of his team and said he has other options for that area with players such as Charles Aránguiz (Universidad de Chile) and Rodrigo Millar (Atlas de Guadalajara, Mexico).
It is expected that the Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, Spain), considered "a decisive player", will be in the starting line-up. "Alexis can play as a forward at both ends and also as a center forward," said Sampaoli.
The tactical format that Sampaoli will implement on the field will depend on the approach taken by the coach of the Peruvian team since Chile’s coach wants defense superiority. Thus, Sampaoli explained that if Peru played with two or three attackers, Chile will present a defensive line of three or four, respectively.
Meanwhile, coach Sergio Markarián of Peru will use the formula he found highly effective in their last home game with Argentina, which they tied 1-1 by annulling Lionel Messi’s scoring power.
The game confronting
the two traditional rivals will take place
at 21:10 hrs. in the National Stadium of Lima, Peru. Chile ranks sixth with twelve points, four more than Peru, placing eighth, the second lowest of the table.
"Today we are out of the world tournament, and we must go get it," said Sampaoli, who will officially debut on Friday as the new coach of the Chilean national team. The coach anticipates a game of "high intensity" against the Peruvian team, which he sees as dangerous on the break and with great strength in the midfield.
On Tuesday March 26th, Chile
will receive in Santiago the squad of Uruguay, fifth in the
standings of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol).
