World Cup woe for Matías Fernández
Matías Fernández has become the latest Chilean player to see his World Cup dream dashed.
Manager Jorge Sampaoli axed Esteban Paredes, Gustavo Canales and Enzo Andía from his original 30-man squad last Saturday.
But this time it was an injury that forced the issue. The Fiorentina midfielder arrived in Santiago today and confirmed in a press conference that he needs surgery on an ankle injury, ruling him out of the World Cup in Brazil.
He said: “Until Monday I didn´t know how serious the injury was. The examinations showed that I need an operation. I´ve always had pains in the ankle, but now I will have to have an operation.
“It´s sad news because I´m not going to be able to play in the World Cup.”
The 28-year-old ex-Colo Colo man hadn´t been one of Sampaoli´s regulars, but still would have expected to be in the final 23-man squad that will travel to Brazil.
His exit means the squad is now down to 26, meaning only three more players need to be cut. One of the four goalkeepers, probably Paulo Garcés, will be left out, leaving two outfield players to be dropped.
Players who could lose out are Colo Colo´s José Pedro Fuenzalida, Malmo´s Miiko Albornoz, O´Higgins´ Pedro Pablo Hernández and Atlas midfielder Rodrigo Millar.
However, the unpredictable Sampaoli could yet spring a surprise or two.
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