Arturo Vidal has said he is “gutted” to be unable to feature in Chile’s key World Cup qualifier in Brazil on Tuesday but expects his side to clinch a place in Russia.
“I’m gutted, it’s terrible that I can’t play.
“This was the time to be present, and that yellow card leaves me out of the most important game of the qualifying campaign.
“But this national team is strong, not because of the individual players but because of the collective. We just have to play the way we know.
“I’m nervous, but I have every confidence in my team and my teammates.”
A Chile victory would harm arch-rivals Argentina’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Argentina are sixth, a point adrift of Chile, heading into their final qualifier in Ecuador on Tuesday.
“I see it as complicated for Argentina,” the 30-year-old Vidal said. “It’s difficult to play in Quito because Ecuador take advantage of playing at high altitude.”
Vidal played under Heynckes at Bayer Leverkusen between 2009 and 2011, and said of him: “A Bayern and German legend has returned.”
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