The team led by Fernando Batista has not won in the qualifiers for more than a year, but several draws keep it in the fight for the World Cup. They arrive at the duel against the Chilean team with high morale after a hard-fought tie against Brazil.
The Venezuelan team arrives in Santiago with the hope of eliminating La Roja from the World Cup race. This is another key confrontation for the national team, which did not advance beyond the draw against Peru. Now, against a team that has strengthened after its draw against Brazil. On Thursday, they added that fundamental unity to their aspirations, as it keeps them in seventh place in the Playoffs, in place for the playoffs. On the contrary, it pushed them to reach this position. On the eleventh day they finished eighth. Today, they are once again excited to participate in the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The team led by Fernando Batista has continued to strengthen in the process that brings it to the United States, Mexico and Canada, but it remains at the forefront. That’s because they haven’t won in over a year. But, having increased the quotas for the next global event, certain ties keep them in the race. Their last victory took place against Chile, 3-0, on October 17, 2023. In a match where Yeferson Soteldo (author of the 1-0 score) shone. After this match, they faced Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. They lost to Bolivia and Paraguay.
Although it is difficult for them to win, the Llaneros players have also been difficult for their opponents to solve. Before the highlands, they suffered from the rigor of the 4,150 meters of altitude of El Alto. With Gustavo Alfaro’s team it was a very balanced match, where the Guaranís scored in the second half to confirm their rise. The units flown in Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil are meritorious. Three rivals who imposed their conditions against La Roja.
Immediately after the match against Canarinha, in Venezuela, they were already planning their trip to Santiago. “We will compete in Chile, just like we competed against Brazil. If all goes well, we will look for a positive result to continue adding. On the left side we have Soteldo, who was not available today, but will be available against Chile,” said Batista assistant Leandro Cufre.
Face to face
Compared to La Roja, the Venezuelan team presents certain aspects where it has an advantage. For example, they have seven players on the team playing in Europe. The list is made up of Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad, Spain), Yordan Osorio (Parma, Italy), Christian Makoun (Levski Sofia, Bulgaria), Yangel Herrera (Girona, Spain), Cristián Cásseres (Toulouse, France), Telasco Segovia. (Casa Pía, Portugal) and Darwin Machis (Real Valladolid, Spain). Ricardo Gareca’s team, for its part, has only five: Lawrence Vigouroux (Swansea City, England), Vicente Reyes (Cambridge United, England), Guillermo Maripán (Torino, Italy), Francisco Sierralta (Watford, England ) and Gabriel Suazo (Toulouse, France). ). Two of them, the goalkeepers, have not even started at La Roja.
In addition, Venezuela has a younger team than Chile. Their last payroll averages 27.8 years, compared to 28.7 for the Chilean team. However, in this area the difference is not so noticeable. They also have veterans, like Salomón Rondón (35 years old), who is their historic scorer, with 45 conquests, or goalkeeper Rafael Romo (34 years old). Also on the list is captain Tomás Rincón (36), who is the footballer with the most appearances at Vinotinto. “We have to enhance the draw against Brazil with a good result in Santiago against Chile. I always prepare for whatever happens to me. “We are in good competition and we dream of participating in the next World Cup,” commented the veteran midfielder.
On the other hand, among the footballers there are also two who have had good times in Chilean football, such as Yeferson Soteldo and Eduard Bello. The attacking midfielder who played for Huachipato and the U is now at Gremio, where he is teammates with Alexander Aravena. While the striker who shone in Antofagasta is now at Barcelona in Ecuador. In the qualifying process he positioned himself as a key element for Fernando Batista. Several times like a shock that takes him out of complex moments.
Team changes
In comparison with the duel against Brazil, the coach is preparing some changes. Right-back Alexander González received a red card for an attack on Vinicius Junior and will not be there. For his part, Cristian Cásseres, teammate of Gabriel Suazo in Toulouse, is absent due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Yangel Herrera was replaced at the start of the match against Scratch due to physical discomfort. Deportivo Táchira midfielder Maurice Cova was called up to replace the suspended Cásseres.
In the additions, we notice the return of Soteldo, who was not there last time. The eleven prepared by the Argentine strategist is made up of Rafael Romo; Jon Aramburu, Rubén Ramirez, Wilker Angel, Miguel Navarro; Tomás Rincón, José Martínez, Eduard Bello; Yeferson Soteldo, Salomón Rondón and Jefferson Savarino.
Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
