Let’s go for glory
Chile midfielder Vidal wants to prove they are the best in the world
ST PETERSBURG: Midfielder Arturo Vidal said Chile can prove they are the world’s best team and throw down a marker for next year’s World Cup by beating Germany in today’s Confederations Cup final.
Copa America champions Chile take on world champions Germany in St Petersburg with the teams having already drawn 1-1 in the group stages.
Alexis Sanchez’s early strike for Chile was cancelled out by Lars Stindl when the teams met in Kazan 10 days ago.
Chile are looking for their third international trophy in three years after winning both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles – beating Argentina in the final on penalties on both occasions.
Having knocked Euro 2016 winners Portugal out of the Confederations Cup in Wednesday’s semi-final, Vidal says beating Germany’s young guns will prove Chile are the best.
“We have proven our value, we have beaten Argentina and Portugal, the European champions,” said Vidal.
“If we win tomorrow, we will prove we are the best team in the world.
“We have reached this final with our spirit and attitude – this is a waiting room for the World Cup – and if we win tomorrow, that will show where we are.
“We still have to qualify for the World Cup but we have a lot of energy and want to prove ourselves.”
Chile showed their penalty shootout pedigree again in Kazan, as goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved all three Portugal spot-kicks after they finished goalless after extra-time.
While Chile played 120 minutes, Germany will be slightly fresher having beaten Mexico 4-1 in normal time in Thursday’s semi-final.
A German is set to finish as the tournament’s top scorer with Leon Goretzka and Timo Werner both on three goals, while Stindl has netted twice.
Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi says Joachim Loew’s side – the youngest Confederations Cup squad with an average age of just over 24 – have proven youth is no obstacle to success.
“They have a set of players with a lot of experience, despite being very young,” said Pizzi, using Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, 22, and 25-year-old Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi as examples.
“Kimmich is a central pillar at one of the best teams in the world.
“Mustafi was part of the 2014 World Cup winning team and plays in the English Premier League, it makes them a formidable opponent.
“We are ready to face them on that level and will try to make sure our work-rate is higher than theirs.” — AFP
We are ready to face them on that level and will try to make sure our workrate is higher than theirs. Juan Antonio