Maldonado and Fierro may not return to their homeland of Chile with Flamengo next Thursday. Flamengo faces Universidad de Chile in Santiago in the second leg of the 2010 Copa Santander Libertadores quarterfinals, but if the players' expectations are met and they are called up to the Chilean national team, they will likely miss this decisive match.

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This is because the Chilean Football Association reached an agreement with the country's clubs to release the players called up by the 15th. La U itself would suffer from such a measure, as it has four players eligible for selection on its roster. Flamengo faces Universidad on Thursday the 20th, and there's a good chance that by then, Fierro and Maldonado, if called up, will have already joined Marcelo Bielsa's squad.

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"I only heard from the press that there would be a meeting to decide whether some players would play in a friendly match for the national team on the 16th, against Mexico. If I'm actually on the list, I don't know the date I would have to report. We have to wait," Maldonado explained.

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Until then, the midfielder continues working and hopes to put in a great performance at Maracanã. Already thinking about his return, Maldonado analyzes the Santa Laura Stadium, which will host the match.

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"The stadium is smaller, the fans are on top of the fence, and the pressure will be great, but now we need to do our part. There were two great games against Corinthians, the team has improved a lot, and we need to approach this game with seriousness and patience to have a chance of advancing. Even away from home, we have a chance to score a goal, which could change things, as was the case against Corinthians," he added.

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The Chilean team could also lose goalkeeper Pinto and midfielders Iturra, Estrada, and Seymur. Victorino and Fernandez could also miss the team if they are called up to the Uruguayan national team.