Mauricio Isla: “I didn’t want to play with Bielsa anymore, he didn’t leave me alone”

Mauricio Isla enjoys his first games in South America. His arrival in Flamengo has him re-enchanted, where he lives in Rio de Janeiro a new opportunity to transform himself into a benchmark for the right wing, now with Mengao. Today he will face the first classic against Fluminense for the Brasileirao (21.30), but before he gave himself a few minutes to give the first interview with his club.

It is part of the Golden Generation of Chile. What is it like to play alongside Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Claudio Bravo or (Gary) Medel?

Well. I feel very happy. Of the four names you name, only with Claudio I have not played my whole life. With Alexis we have been in the Under 15 in the National Team, with Medel I have been at Católica since I was 11 years old and with Arturo since I was 18 years old playing. It has cost us a lot. (We started) with the creation of José Sulantay, then with Marcelo Bielsa and the Era of Sampaoli, with which, thank God, we were able to achieve an important title for the country. It has been very nice.

What did your colleagues tell you when they found out you were coming to Flamengo?

The one with Flamengo was something of two days, a very fast negotiation. They were totally quick with me, they gave me everything, it was immediately apparent that they loved me yes or yes. I had the opportunity to speak with Arturo Vidal, who is a close friend of Rafinha, and he was very happy. The only thing he said was: “Wait for me two more years, I can bequeath to Flamengo.”

Vidal has already shown his affection for Flamengo. Can you imagine him playing here with you?

Yes of course. It would be nice if he played for this club that has everything, which is very big. He would be received as a total star throughout his career and of course he could play in any team in the world, both for his football and his dedication would be very well received everywhere.

You made your debut with Bielsa in Chile. What is it like to play with one of the most valued, beloved and peculiar coaches in South American football?

I’ve always said it: for me he has been the best coach I’ve ever had. At the beginning it was very difficult for me, I made my debut in the adult national team and not yet in Udinese, but I didn’t want to go to the national team anymore. I remember an anecdote in which he wouldn’t let me play quietly, he yelled at me and yelled the whole game, and since I’m a winger, I had him there on the bench. That’s why they called him Crazy, for many things, but he is an extraordinary coach. Those years that I was with him taught me everything, thanks to him I learned a lot.

He was also with Sampaoli, who is also in Brazil, at Atlético Mineiro. Have you talked to him these days?

I have not had the opportunity to speak with him, but I have always been grateful for what he gave me and the National Team. Sampaoli has a job very similar to that of Marcelo Bielsa and I have always said that the difference is that Bielsa made us grow and Sampaoli took us just when we were more mature to achieve things.

He has played in many countries. Where did you feel most comfortable?

I think my best time was in Italy. After spending five years at Udinese, a beautiful club, with a great formation for young people. I was injured, very badly, and in full recovery I received the offer from Juventus. I lived there for two very beautiful years, because I learned many things. Clearly, due to the injury issue, I could not deliver what in Udinese, where I was a fundamental player, but I am eternally grateful for what they gave me there and for what I learned from players like Buffon, (Andrea) Barzagli, (Leonardo) Bonucci or Pirlo. It was very nice for me.

You had the possibility to continue playing in Europe, but you decided to play in South America for the first time. How would you explain that choice?

I always wanted to go back to South America, but I didn’t know if I was going to go back now, or at 34 or 35 years old. The Flamengo thing happened very quickly; both Marcos and Bruno went to find me in Spain and give me a very good proposal for me. Before this, I had a proposal from Boca Juniors, but Flamengo’s proposal was very fast, both for my family and for me. My wife was delighted and I thank them for doing so. Now, I am very happy here. When they say that Flamengo is a Top, it’s for a reason and now I’m living it.

How was your reception and what has surprised you the most?

Good very good. Delighted by all my colleagues. I come to learn, because not being a player for many years in Europe will I be a leader, no. I come to learn from the players who won all last year and hopefully I can experience it again. I am very excited.

What did you think of the structure of the club?

I am totally surprised, because it has a structure very similar to that of a club in Europe. It is very big, nothing is missing for the player or his family, so I am very calm.

There will be no fans for the coronavirus, but you already know something about the crooked Flamengo.

Yes, being in Europe I saw the Flamengo matches. I like to watch all the Copa Libertadores matches and I know the fans that Flamengo has, there are more than 40 million. You have to be attentive and prepared and I am; you have to give yourself to the fullest. The (absence of) fans is something very sad for everyone, we know what drives you and you like in the stadium, but now it is health that matters and I hope that all this happens so that the public can return to stadiums.

How did you experience the Copa Libertadores from abroad and what do you expect from your first participation?

I did not see all the games, because sometimes in Europe it was very late, but I did see many important ones, even those of Flamengo. That is something I want to experience, I want to travel to all the countries of South America.

Who are your Chilean and Brazilian idols?

My Chilean idol is Marcelo Salas. I have always been a fan of the University of Chile together with my mother, who is a very football fan, and since I was born she gave me soccer balls and took me to the stadium. She made me a fan of the U. And I have admired Marcelo Salas since he played there and also in the National Team. Also, I’ve always said that the best full-backs come from Brazil. You have Cafu, Maicon, Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos… I think for me it is a tremendous experience to be able to play in Brazil in that position.

11 of the players with whom he has shared a dressing room.

To the arc, clearly Buffon. It is a very difficult position, because I have also had to play with Claudio Bravo in the National Team, where he has been fundamental, but Buffon is a historical goalkeeper. I always played back with three centrals, but clearly everyone is 4-3-3. There I have Cuadrado, Bonucci, Barzagli and (Kwadwo) Asamoah; in the middle, Pirlo, Aránguiz and Vidal, who have been fundamental; and above Alexis Sánchez, Carlos Tévez and Antonio Di Natale.