Nelson Tapia regrets the absence of Ben Brereton, Alexis Sanchez and Felipe Mora. He notes that ‘Chile misses the goal’ of football | Sports

While Chile’s defeat and injuries have pressured coach Martin Lasarte, the recent Ecuadorean victory lifted the Trio and their coach Gustavo Alvaro. The 2-0 win over Paraguay was balsamic and mitigated the defeat to Peru and the irregular season in the last Copa America in Brazil, as Ecuador regained hope of staying in the direct qualification zone for the 2022 World Cup.

But Don Tre, with 12 points in third in the World Cup, will have a tough time this Sunday when he welcomes the two-time American champion, whose team is led by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, defender Gary Medel and midfielders Charles Aranjuez. Arturo Vidal and striker Eduardo Vargas have no other way out than to enter a “show” at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium. The warning came from Nelson Tapia (54), La Roja goalkeeper at the 1998 World Cup in France and at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, who has been living in Guayaquil for three years.

“Chile did well against Brazil. But in general Brazil does it for you, they make you believe, they hit you one or three times and win the match. I think Chile has grown a lot, after the Copa America (2021), in their collective performance, which is what we all expected , where teacher Lasarte found a football streak that would allow us to see ourselves better and save the Chilean fan. It seems to me that he did well, and the last brush stroke was missing to reach the goal.”

Regardless of who was the goalkeeper coach of FC Barcelona during the last campaign (2019) of Uruguayan Guillermo Almada and technical director of Guayaquil Sport (from January 2020 to August 2021), it is believed that this version of the Chilean team led by Lasarte “misses a goal”.

Tapia weighed the absences of three attackers, including young Ben Brereton, who was not authorized by Blackburn Rovers to participate in this triple history of playoffs; Alexis Sanchez (Inter Milan), due to injury, and Felipe Moura (Portland Timbers), who was not called up by DT despite his good scoring record (7 goals) in MLS after the Copa America in Brazil.

“It seems to me we’re short on target there. But collectively, it seems to me that Chile will look to party in Quito. Chile is not predictable. With this generation (of players) he loves to propose; so Sunday’s meeting will be fun, and I think it will be Back and forth because Chile likes to go out and propose.”

With six points, La Roja have no other way out than to win in Quito, as another defeat would make them less likely and dependent on other results to keep trying to reach the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

In addition to the poor results, Lasarte will miss defender Guillermo Maripan and midfielder Eric Polgar, after losing 1-0 to Brazil in Santiago.

In Tapia’s opinion, the biggest problem lies in choosing his country in these absences rather than Quito’s frightening elevation (2850 metres).

“Height is psychologically appealing to you, but nowadays with these complex physiological studies one is preparing to play at altitude, because (the soccer player) arrives without much pressure. It seems to me. I think you have to go out and suggest. When you do sometimes what I did Paraguay, you will end up losing the same. You have to go out and propose and find the go moments that Ecuador can have in the defensive part.”

The former goalkeeper of Universidad Católica, Cobreloa, Velez Sarsfield, Santos and Junior, among other teams, confirmed last day that “Ecuador put in a good performance”. “Ecuador had about 70 minutes where it could not solve the problem given to it by Paraguay, which did not leave its field. That is why it cost Ecuador (opening the game with goals in the 87th and 94th minutes). Ecuador has wings and wings that go constantly (when attacking) and drown you. He concluded. By saying that it is difficult to maintain this rhythm that Ecuador suggests at high altitudes.(D)