Medel gave the 'OK' to face Argentina in Calama: "Whatever is extra for us, we will do it"

The Chilean national team was left out of the playoff zone and qualification at the end of the 2021 Qualifiers. The team coached by Martín Lasarte won 0-1 against Paraguay in Asunción and lost 0-2 at home against Ecuador. With those results, the southern team accumulated 16 points to be in sixth place.

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In this context, the 'Roja' needs to get six out of six against Argentina at home and against Bolivia in La Paz. Therefore, the Football Association is already working on the plan to achieve two victories, and the proposal is to move the venue from Santiago to Calama, a city that is more than 2,000 meters above sea level. That is to say, under those conditions, they will face the Albiceleste.

After losing to the Ecuadorians, Gary Medel stated that he is willing to play the match against Lionel Messi's team on the field where the Cobreloa club is local. "We are going to discuss the issue of the venue in Calama. We are going to do whatever is extra for us," the player said in a press conference.

"We have to take the six points from Argentina and Bolivia to be on top," added the 'Pitbull', who supported the initiative of Pablo Milad, the president of the Chilean Football Association. In fact, the executive is already carrying out all the necessary procedures to clash with the Albiceleste in Calama.

In fact, ADN Radio reported that the final decision will be announced on Friday. Before that, the entity led by Milad must find a solution to two key issues. The first one involves fixing the lighting of the colossus that would host the match against Argentina. The second one is about conditioning the Calama airport to receive international flights.

The home defeat

Despite losing in the last match of the year, Medel highlighted positive aspects of the match against the 'Tricolor'. Likewise, the Bologna man stressed that they still have chances to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, as they are only one point away from the playoffs (Peru with 17) and direct qualification (Colombia with 17).

"It was a very strange match, as we conceded the goal very early. It became difficult with the red card. I see the positive side, the effort of my teammates. We are not dead. We will fight in January. The effort was fantastic. We ended up playing with nine," he said in reference to the red card received by Arturo Vidal and the discomfort experienced by Francisco Sierralta.