Mauricio Isla
Encyclopedia
Mauricio Aníbal Isla Isla (born 12 June 1988) is a Chilean footballer who plays for Italian
Serie A
team Udinese
and for the Chilean national team
. He can play in numerous positions, including right, centre, and left back as well as a winger or centre midfielder. Also, he can play as an inside forward.
in 1999 as a forward. However his lack of height caused him to switch positions to defender, since Católica didn't have quality youth defenders, where he exceled. In 2007 he was called up to the first team.
in Canada
and was thereafter signed by Udinese
of the Serie A
in Italy
on a 5 year contract. Alike Roberto Carlos and Cafu
of the 2002 World Cup winning Brazil, Isla fits the description of a traditional South American full back when asked to fulfill a rather defensive role in the wings. He can both defend and attack with much ease and has been known to turn innocent possession based games into quick paced impressive counterattacks with much ease. His technique is well accompanied by a surprising pace and stamina. Isla made his professional debut on December 19, 2007 versus Palermo
in the Coppa Italia
. On March 8, 2008, Isla played his first game as a starter in Serie A
for Udinese against Palermo
, which ended in a 1–1 draw. For Udinese, Isla has admitted he has had to adapt his style by being more conservative with his approach to the game. In the games he started for the Udine club he has played as a right and left back while also playing a few games a wing and centre midfield. He is also a very effective left back on Fifa 12.
After the departure of Simone Pepe
, Isla often fixed as right wing-back in 3–5–2 formation in 2010–11 Serie A
, also due to the long term injury of Dušan Basta
. In 2011–12 season he became the right midfielder in 4–1–4–1 or 4–4–1–1 formation against Arsenal
in 2011–12 UEFA Champions League
playoffs round, after numbers of departure.
in the 2007 South American Youth Championship
, where Chile qualified for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
. During the U-20 World Cup Isla was noticed worldwide for his skill with the ball and versatility. Isla was an integral part of the team which would go on the win third place. In the quarterfinal game versus Nigeria
, Chile was ravaged by injury. In the single game Isla played defender, midfield, and forward. The game went into overtime after a scoreless draw after regulation. In the overtime the team was extremely fatigued but gutted out four goals in the extra time. Two of the goals came from Isla, one from the penalty spot. After each goal Isla ran over to the Chilean telecast camera (which was marked by a Chilean flag) and dedicated his goals to his grandmother and aunt, who was pregnant. This tournament and his performance in it led Isla to be transferred to Seria A team Udinese before his professional debut in the Chilean league, a very rare occurrence.
called Isla up for his first full Chile senior squad international cap in September 2007 in a friendly against Switzerland
, the hosts of Euro 2008, verse his club-mate Gökhan Inler
. He started as a centre midfielder. His good performances made him get another call-up in the next friendly against Israel
, where he came on as a second half substitute. He played his first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
in March 2009. He played the game as starter verse Peru
. Isla made a further start against Uruguay
where, in a scoreless draw, he was sent off after 33 minutes following two quick yellow card bookings. He was a starter in all of Chile's four 2010 World Cup
games.
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|2007–08||rowspan=4|Udinese
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|2009–10||30||1||3||0||-||-||33||1
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|2010–11||34||2||1||1||2||0||35||3
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106||3||9||1||12||0||127||4
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
team Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
and for the Chilean national team
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
. He can play in numerous positions, including right, centre, and left back as well as a winger or centre midfielder. Also, he can play as an inside forward.
Early Years
Isla started in the youth ranks of Universidad CatólicaClub Deportivo Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...
in 1999 as a forward. However his lack of height caused him to switch positions to defender, since Católica didn't have quality youth defenders, where he exceled. In 2007 he was called up to the first team.
Udinese
Isla had a notable performance during the summer of 2007 in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and was thereafter signed by Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
of the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
on a 5 year contract. Alike Roberto Carlos and Cafu
Cafu
Marcos Evangelista de Moraes , better known as Cafu, is a former Brazilian footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs ever. He was given this nickname due to his speed up and down the right flank which was reminiscent of Cafuringa, a Brazilian forward from the 1970s...
of the 2002 World Cup winning Brazil, Isla fits the description of a traditional South American full back when asked to fulfill a rather defensive role in the wings. He can both defend and attack with much ease and has been known to turn innocent possession based games into quick paced impressive counterattacks with much ease. His technique is well accompanied by a surprising pace and stamina. Isla made his professional debut on December 19, 2007 versus Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
in the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
. On March 8, 2008, Isla played his first game as a starter in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
for Udinese against Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
, which ended in a 1–1 draw. For Udinese, Isla has admitted he has had to adapt his style by being more conservative with his approach to the game. In the games he started for the Udine club he has played as a right and left back while also playing a few games a wing and centre midfield. He is also a very effective left back on Fifa 12.
After the departure of Simone Pepe
Simone Pepe
Simone Pepe is an Italian footballer who plays as a right winger for Serie A club Juventus. He is known for his high versatility and can play on either side of the pitch and even as a right fullback-Club career:...
, Isla often fixed as right wing-back in 3–5–2 formation in 2010–11 Serie A
2010–11 Serie A
The 2010–11 Serie A was the 79th season since its establishment, the first under a league committee separate from Serie B. It began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 22 May 2011...
, also due to the long term injury of Dušan Basta
Dušan Basta
Dušan Basta is a Serbian footballer who plays for Udinese.He has been in the under 21's selection of Serbia and has been named captain...
. In 2011–12 season he became the right midfielder in 4–1–4–1 or 4–4–1–1 formation against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in 2011–12 UEFA Champions League
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
playoffs round, after numbers of departure.
Sub-20 Career
Isla took part with ChileChile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
in the 2007 South American Youth Championship
2007 South American Youth Championship
The 2007 South American Youth Championship is a football competition contested by all ten U-20 national football teams of CONMEBOL. The tournament was held in Paraguay between January 7 and January 28, 2007, it was the 23rd time the competition has been held and the 4th to take place in Paraguay...
, where Chile qualified for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
. During the U-20 World Cup Isla was noticed worldwide for his skill with the ball and versatility. Isla was an integral part of the team which would go on the win third place. In the quarterfinal game versus Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, Chile was ravaged by injury. In the single game Isla played defender, midfield, and forward. The game went into overtime after a scoreless draw after regulation. In the overtime the team was extremely fatigued but gutted out four goals in the extra time. Two of the goals came from Isla, one from the penalty spot. After each goal Isla ran over to the Chilean telecast camera (which was marked by a Chilean flag) and dedicated his goals to his grandmother and aunt, who was pregnant. This tournament and his performance in it led Isla to be transferred to Seria A team Udinese before his professional debut in the Chilean league, a very rare occurrence.
Senior
New Chilean coach Marcelo BielsaMarcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
called Isla up for his first full Chile senior squad international cap in September 2007 in a friendly against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
, the hosts of Euro 2008, verse his club-mate Gökhan Inler
Gökhan Inler
Gökhan İnler is a Turkish-Swiss football player who plays as a central midfielder for Serie A side Napoli.-Early career:İnler started his career at FC Basel, but was later loaned out to FC Schaffhausen...
. He started as a centre midfielder. His good performances made him get another call-up in the next friendly against Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, where he came on as a second half substitute. He played his first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
in March 2009. He played the game as starter verse Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
. Isla made a further start against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
where, in a scoreless draw, he was sent off after 33 minutes following two quick yellow card bookings. He was a starter in all of Chile's four 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
games.
Club
- As of 3 November 2009
|-
|2007–08||rowspan=4|Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
||rowspan=4|Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
||10||0||4||0||-||-||14||0
|-
|2008–09||32||0||1||0||10||0||43||0
|-
|2009–10||30||1||3||0||-||-||33||1
|-
|2010–11||34||2||1||1||2||0||35||3
|-
106||3||9||1||12||0||127||4
International
| National team | Club | Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udinese Udinese Calcio Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa.... |
2007–08 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2010-11 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | 17 | 1 | ||
International goals
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 September 2010 | Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy is a football stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used for football matches, and is the home of FC Dynamo Kyiv... , Kiev Kiev Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press.... , Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia... |
2–1 | 2–1 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| September 2, 2011 | AFG Arena AFG Arena The AFG Arena is a multi-use stadium in St. Gallen, Switzerland, completed in 2008. It is used mostly for football matches and hosts the home matches of FC St. Gallen of the Swiss Challenge League. It replaces the Espenmoos stadium.... , St. Gallen St. Gallen St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic... , Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
0-1 | 3-2 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
International
ChileChile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
-
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
:- Third place: 20072007 FIFA U-20 World CupThe 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
- Third place: 2007
- FIFA U-20 World Cup