In the final days of July, the Chile U-20 national team carried out an intense training camp at SIA Academy in Valencia, Spain. The objective was clear: fine-tune tactics, reinforce team concepts, and arrive in top condition for the prestigious international tournament COTIF 2025.
The coaching staff opted for a short but highly focused stay. Through demanding training sessions, tactical analysis, and full team immersion, they aimed to consolidate a young squad with a clear identity, physical strength, and a competitive mindset.
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A high-level environment
SIA Academy provided Chile’s youth team with a professional, self-contained setting that had everything needed to prepare for a top-level tournament: natural grass pitches in excellent condition, a fully equipped gym, recovery areas, and video analysis rooms.
The players trained in full-day sessions, emphasizing tactical automatisms, transition speed, and coordinated high pressing. Every detail was planned out: from nutrition to training loads, everything was designed to maximize performance in limited time.
The decision to train abroad wasn’t random. Competing in a European tournament requires adapting to the pace, the climate, and the competitive atmosphere. SIA Academy not only provided top-class facilities, but also a fully focused environment—ideal for correcting details and raising the team’s standard.
Tactics and competitive rhythm
Training sessions prioritized physical intensity and tactical clarity. The coaching staff implemented drills simulating real match situations: pressing after losing possession, defensive coverage, offensive movement, and decision-making under pressure.
Living together strengthened team unity. Sharing rooms, routines, and free time created a sense of camaraderie and shared commitment. That human factor—often invisible from the outside—was key to building a real team identity.
The players were also able to absorb complex tactical ideas in a short time, thanks to the structured sessions and total focus during their stay. It was a compact, but very deep, preparation phase.
Results of Chile at COTIF 2025
After their time at SIA Academy, Chile debuted in the 2025 COTIF with a challenging fixture list. They were drawn in a high-level group alongside Argentina, Brazil, and Valencia CF U20. The results showed a competitive team with room for improvement.
In the first match, Chile lost 2-0 to Argentina, in a game where they showed spirit but made key mistakes. The second match ended in a 0-0 draw with Brazil, securing a valuable point against a traditionally strong opponent. In their final group game, they drew 1-1 with Valencia CF U20, showing greater offensive intent and the ability to bounce back.
With two draws and one loss, Chile didn’t advance to the knockout stage, but the experience proved valuable from a competitive growth standpoint. The team maintained intensity, showed tactical discipline, and demonstrated clear improvement compared to the start of the tournament.
A step forward in development
Beyond results, the days in Spain provided key takeaways for this U-20 generation. Training in a professional environment allowed the group to measure itself against higher standards—physically, tactically, and mentally.
The camp at SIA Academy became a mini international preseason, where the team’s character was tested, adjustments were made, and key foundations were reinforced. For a youth squad, this kind of experience represents more than preparation—it’s a quality leap.
Looking ahead
With an eye on the future, both the federation and the coaching staff agree that this type of experience must become standard. If Chile wants to compete evenly with top youth sides, it needs to expose its players to these demands early: professional environments, international opponents, and real pressure.
COTIF was an exam, yes. But the true learning happened in the days before. There, on the fields of SIA Academy, the team planted seeds of commitment, competitiveness, and unity. They began to understand that talent alone isn’t enough—it must be paired with work ethic, planning, and long-term vision.
A camp that leaves its mark
Chile U-20 lived a short but transformative experience in Spain. During their time at SIA Academy, the team didn’t just train physically—they trained to compete, to live as a group, and to understand what it means to represent their country at the highest youth level.
COTIF results showed there’s still work to do, but also that the process is on track. This camp was more than a few days abroad—it was a sign that Chile is serious about professionalizing its youth football, about building generations with international ambition and solid foundations.
Because high performance doesn’t happen by chance. It’s trained. And Chile U-20 has already started walking that path.
