Chile can prove they’re the world’s best, says Vidal
Arturo Vidal said Chile can prove they are the world's best team by beating Germany in tomorrow's Confederations Cup final.
Arturo Vidal is confident that Chile can prove they are the world's best team and throw down a marker for next year's World Cup finals by beating Germany in Sunday's Confederations Cup final.
Chile looking to add to their trophy cabinet
Copa América champions Chile take on world champions Germany in Saint Petersburg with the teams having already drawn 1-1 when they met during the group stage. Alexis Sánchez's early strike for Chile was cancelled out by Lars Stindl when the teams met in Kazan ten days ago.
Chile are looking for their third international trophy in three years after winning both the 2015 and 2016 Copa América titles. Having knocked EURO 2016 winners Portugal out in Wednesday's semi-final, Vidal says beating Germany's young guns will prove Chile are the top dogs.
Chile going for third scalp at 2017 Confederations Cup
“We have proven our worth; we have beaten Argentina and Portugal, the European champions. If we win tomorrow, we will prove we are the best team in the world”, Vidal said on the eve of the final. “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 shoot-out credentials again in Kazan, with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saving all three of Portugal's spot-kicks after it finished goalless after extra-time.
While Chile played 120 minutes, Germany will be feeling a little 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.
Germany will have youth on their side against Chile
Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi says Joachim Löw'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, citing Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, 22, and 25-year-old Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi as examples. “[Joshua] 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 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”.