Transfer talk fuelling Sanchez’s charge
America champions Chile will try to curb Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semifinal with the goal-ace in rich form despite the tax storm brewing in Spain.
The 32-year-old converted a penalty in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of New Zealand to claim his 75th international goal.
The Real Madrid forward has now scored 16 times in his last 10 games for club and country.
Portugal’s captain will face tax evasion charges in a Madrid court next month, but has dazzled on the pitch in Russia, claiming Man of the Match awards in all three games, netting two goals and providing an assist.
After steering Portugal to the Euro 2016 title in Paris a year ago, Ronaldo will want to claim a second international title in Sunday’s Confed Cup final in St Petersburg, against Mexico or Germany who meet in the other semifinal. Ronaldo is closing in on the legendary Ferenc Puskas’ European record of 84 international goals, despite the off-field turmoil and constant speculation about his future, having threatened to quit Real.
“We all know he’s an amazing player, he’s very dangerous and can decide a game alone,” said Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz, who has often faced Ronaldo with his club Celta Vigo, in Tuesday’s press conference.
Chile, who won the Copa America in both 2015 and 2016, will present Portugal with their toughest test so far in Russia, yet the South Americans have yet to beat Portugal in three attempts with two defeats and a draw.
Fatigue could well be an issue in Portugal’s ranks. Head coach Fernando Santos opted to rest none of his forward line and it has been a long season for the likes of Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho, Andre Gomes and Bernardo Silva.
Defender Pepe sits out the game after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the big win over the Kiwis.
Left-back Raphael Guerreiro is struggling with a bruised foot from the win over Russia.
Chile thinks transfer speculation around Alexis Sanchez will drive him to play even better against Portugal in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Sanchez has been linked with a move away from Arsenal and, far from distracting him, Chile teammate Marcelo Diaz said “he will be able to keep developing during this summer and I think that his personal situation will help him grow.”
Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi suggested the demand for Sanchez is a boost to his self-esteem, saying “we suppose he is very happy because he is going through a very special situation and I think everybody would like to be in this situation because the best clubs in the world want to have him in their squads.”
Diaz suggested Cristiano Ronaldo has single-handedly propelled Portugal into the semifinals, and shutting him down will be Chile’s top defensive priority.
Wednesday’s semifinal in Kazan brings together two teams playing better than ever. Neither had won a major trophy until 2015 — but Chile now has two Copa Americas, while Portugal became European champion last year.
It also reunites Pizzi with Portugal coach Fernando Santos, 17 years after he was a forward for Santos’ Porto side.
“He deserves our utmost respect, his experience is incredible and I think everybody who knows football respects him,” Pizzi said of Santos. “He is great for Portuguese football.”
Sanchez’s hasn’t signed a new contract with Arsenal and has been tipped to leave them this summer. While international teammate Arturo Vidal has urged him to join Bayern Munich, he has also been liked with Pep Guardiola’s Man City.