With the notable absence of Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel and Marcelo Díaz, coach Ricardo Gareca announced on Thursday the 26-member roster of the Chilean team for the Copa América that will be played starting June 20 in the United States.
After the Chilean 3-0 victory in Tuesday’s friendly against Paraguay, the Argentine Gareca had already announced that his final squad would not undergo major changes. This was confirmed with the call of 23 of the 24 nominees for the duel against the Paraguayans.
The main novelty is defender Nicolás Fernández, who will replace Felipe Loyola after his absence was confirmed due to a sprained ankle, suffered in the clash with Paraguay. The 24 called up are joined by defender Benjamín Kuscevic, who plays for the Brazilian team Fortaleza, and midfielder Esteban Pavez, from Colo Colo.
Gareca, at the head of the Chilean bench since the end of January, has surprised by dispensing with several national references, such as Vidal, Medel and Díaz, pillars of the Golden Generation of Chilean football. The Argentine also did not include Charles Aránguiz, another of the key figures of La Roja and who has been suffering from a severe injury for months.
He also decided to keep the names of Claudio Bravo, Paulo Díaz, Guillermo Maripán and Darío Osorio, all injured but who are expected to arrive without problems at the continental event, where the Chileans hope to repeat the success that earned them the titles in 2015 and 2016.
Chile will debut in the Copa América on June 21 against Peru. Four days later, La Roja will clash with Argentina and conclude the group stage with a duel against Canada on June 29.
Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Claudio Bravo (Real Betis, Spain), Brayan Cortés (Colo Colo, Chile), Gabriel Arias (Racing, Argentina).
DEFENDERS: Gabriel Suazo (Tolosa, France), Paulo Díaz (River Plate), Guillermo Maripán (AS Monaco), Igor Lichnovsky (America, Mexico), Matías Catalán (Talleres, Argentina), Thomas Galdames (Godoy Cruz, Argentina), Mauricio Isla (Independiente, Argentina), Nicolás Fernández (Audax Italiano), Benjamín Kuscevic (Fortaleza, Brazil).
FLYERS: Erick Pulgar (Flamengo, Brazil), Rodrigo Echeverría (Huracán, Argentina), Diego Valdés (America, Mexico), César Pérez (U. La Calera), Marcelino Núñez (Norwich, England), Esteban Pavez (Colo-Colo, Chili).
FORWARDS: Alexis Sánchez (Inter Milan, Italy), Eduardo Vargas (Atlético Mineiro, Brazil), Ben Brereton (Villareal, Spain), Marcos Bolados (Colo Colo, Chile), Cristián Zavala (Colo Colo, Chile), Víctor Dávila ( CSKA Moscow, Russia), Maximiliano Guerrero (U. de Chile), Darío Osorio (Midtjylland, Denmark).
