Two South American heavyweights clash in first match of round of 16
Alexis Sanchez's form will hold a key as Chile aim to upset the hosts Brazil in the first game of the round of 16. Photo: AP
Belo Horizonte: Chile tried to deflect the pressure that comes with facing World Cup favourites Brazil at home in the round of 16 on Saturday, saying they were feeling none of it.
Read: Round of 16 schedule
“Even with the pressure of facing Brazil as the hosts, it is something that we are not feeling,” Chile captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo told reporters on Wednesday.
“We have set our eyes on our own goal. We are only thinking about what we have to do, our qualification, because this is the only way to beat these great teams,” he said.
Bravo, whose transfer from Real Sociedad to Barcelona was announced earlier on Wednesday, said they were up against a strong team.“They play very good football, they have very good players and this is the only way that we can do well,” he said. “They are rivals in a historic World Cup.”
Brazil topped Group A on seven points ahead on goal difference of Mexico.The Chileans have been equally convincing, beating Spain and Australia to secure qualification before losing top spot to Netherlands with a 2-0 defeat in their last group game.
With their base in Belo Horizonte, Chile will not have to travel with the game on Saturday at the city’s emblematic Mineirao Stadium.
“We have no concerns about what has happened (against the Netherlands). We are only thinking about our next game and to play as a strong, united team like we did against Spain and the Netherlands.” He said the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals of a World Cup was motivation enough for all the players.
( Source : reuters )
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