Chapecoense put tragedy behind them as newly-assembled squad train ahead of first game back


TRAGEDY-STRICKEN Chapecoense have put the horror of their club-destroying plane crash behind them by returning to training.

The Brazilian side was wiped out when an aircraft crashed en route to Colombia, with only six of the 77 people on board surviving.

Chapecoense players take to the training pitch ahead of their first game back
Chapecoense players take to the training pitch ahead of their first game back
AP:Associated Press

Only three members of the first-team squad escaped death.


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But Chapecoense now have a 30-strong roster and are re-building.

On Wednesday, stars of the newly-assembled side trained in the city of Chapeco as they attempt to work their way back to the top.

The players looked relaxed as they boarded the team bus to take them to training.

The newly-assembled Chapecoense squad was put through the paces in training
The newly-assembled Chapecoense squad was put through the paces in training
AP:Associated Press
Chapecoense players take the team bus to training
AP:Associated Press
Chapecoense have re-built a 30-strong squad to return to the league
Chapecoense have re-built a 30-strong squad to return to the league
AP:Associated Press

And once there, surrounded by grassy fields and trees, the squad looked at home back on the pitch.

Chapecoense are preparing for an emotional first match since the tragedy against Joinville on January 26.

Chapecoense were headed to Colombia to play Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamerica final when their plane crashed.

The club was offered special privileges in light of their situation, such as players on loan free of charge or immunity from relegation for three years.

New Chapecoense manager Vagner Mancini takes training with the new squad
New Chapecoense manager Vagner Mancini takes training with the new squad
AP:Associated Press
Disaster struck Chapecoense when almost all of it's players and members died in a plane crash
Disaster struck Chapecoense when almost all of it’s players and members died in a plane crash
AP:Associated Press
The football world mourned for those lost in the air disaster
The football world mourned for those lost in the air disaster
AP:Associated Press

But the Samba side rejected the assistance, insisting they wanted to be able to re-build properly.

The football world mourned those lost as lives were ruined across Brazil.

Chapecoense were crowned Copa Sudamerica champions after the South American FA granted Nacional’s request that their would-be opponents win the cup.


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