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ESPN staff 8y

Chile can't be overconfident in World Cup qualifying - Juan Antonio Pizzi

Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has said that La Roja cannot be overconfident heading into next month's World Cup qualifying.

The two-time Copa America winners included stars Alexis Sanchez, Claudio Bravo and Arturo Vidal in the squad that will travel to Paraguay on Sept. 1 in CONMEBOL qualifying and host Bolivia five days later in Santiago.

Bravo was named to the 23-man squad after Barcelona confirmed they have agreed a deal in principle to sell the goalkeeper to Manchester City. The 33-year-old was reportedly flying to Manchester on Tuesday to complete a £17 million move.

Chile sit fourth in the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 10 points. Uruguay and Ecuador lead with 13 points and Argentina are third with 11 points. Pizzi cautioned fans that the back-to-back Copa America wins are no guarantee of future success.

"We can't hang on what we have done in the Copa America Centenario. There are still many more matches in this qualifying," he said in a news conference.

"We aren't in first place, we are fourth. And if we want to go to the World Cup, we are going to have to make a lot of sacrifices, work very hard and win the points that we need to get us qualified."

Pizzi said he was glad to see Vidal off to such a strong start this season.

Bayern Munich clinched their first German Super Cup in four seasons beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0, thanks to a close-range goals from Arturo Vidal. 

"Arturo's performance is surprising. He finished the last Bundesliga season at the top level. He played really well at the Copa America and then he had a long rest and he has returned to the same level," Pizzi said. "That makes us very happy to see that he is continuously progressing."

Pizzi said he expected Sanchez to be fit given his preparation with Arsenal.

"Alexis gave up some of his vacation time to recover from his injury, he traveled to England, he did a mini preseason and he has already played in the Premier League," he said. "We think he will arrive in good shape."

Midfielder Rodrigo Millar, of Morelia, was named to replace Celta Vigo's Marcelo Diaz, who was booked for two yellow cards against Brazil and Peru.

Midfielders Matías Fernández and Felipe Gutiérrez, who missed the Copa America Centenario due to injuries, were named to the squad.

Chile squad:

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona)

Defenders: Gary Medel (Inter Milan), Mauricio Isla (Cagliari), Eugenio Mena (Sao Paulo), Francisco Silva (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Enzo Roco (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Erick Pulgar (Bologna).

Midfielders: Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich), Marcelo Díaz (Celta Vigo), Felipe Gutiérrez (Real Betis), Matías Fernández (Fiorentina), Rodrigo Millar (Morelia, Mexico), Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Edson Puch (Nexaca, Mexico).

Forwards: Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta), Eduardo Vargas (Hoffenheim).

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