…and the explanation of why there won’t be titles in a few years.

Chile was South America’s best team in 2016. That team dominated the continent, surpassing on several occasions the best Argentina in recent years.

The combination of several factors, which are not always repeated, was what produced such results: a golden generation at its best, technicians full of concepts, weakness in certain greats of the continent and a bit of luck.

What can we expect from this Chilean team?

No title, at least for now.

Reinaldo Rueda arrived with a clear objective: to introduce the generational change in the national team. Not out of taste, but because it was necessary.

So, beyond extending those years of titles and successes, in Chile they understood that the time of that team had passed; the natural conditions dictated it.

So they did the only thing they could: try to empower young people.

Change is not easy. It never is. But in the case of Chile, the situation will be a little more complex, because this emerging generation of Chile is not half as talented as the previous one.

And that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Quite the opposite; the previous one was too good.

However, some of the architects of those titles remain: Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel or Charles Aránguiz, although all far from their best.

Who do you trust now? Guillermo Maripán, Paulo Díaz, Erick Pulgar or Nicolás Castillo, to name a few.

Yes, the difference is enormous.

In the same way, and for the defense of “the new ones”, there is still time to cook.

That time will also serve the same Reinaldo Rueda, coach of great concepts that still cannot find with the key of this selection. Basically, it’s a matter of waiting.

But, in addition to accepting. Accept that they were not the ones of 2016.

They are still this; an emerging team with a good base to work with. They have good infrastructure and good talent, but not as much as those who got tired of overcoming those years, Argentina.

The Copa América will speak.

Oh, and if they want to savor the sweetness of victory again, Eduardo Vargas must come back.