Juan Manuel Vargas says Arsenal FC star Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas “aren’t anything special” as Peru prepare to face Chile in the Copa America semi-finals.
Peru booked their spot in the semi finals with a 3-1 win over Bolivia on Thursday, setting up a meeting with the hosts Chile at the Estadio Nacional on Monday.
Juan Manuel Vargas is confident of tackling the attacking qualitis in the Chile side, who have scored 11 goals in four games – so far in the tournament.
“Against them we have to play our own game. I’ve already played against Alexis and Vargas and they are not anything special,” the Fiorentina man told reporters.
“We still have three days to go, so let’s think about ourselves and correct our mistakes.”
Key to their victory over Bolivia was Paolo Guerrero, who netted a hat-trick, and he expects Los Incas to continue their impressive form and face Chile on an equal level in Santiago.
“We have been playing well. Wea re doing what the coach is asking us,” the striker said.
“I think against Chile it is going to be more or less the same, but we have to be even more concentrated because we cannot give Chile chances as they are playing well and are at home.
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“But we will look to play the toe-to-toe and try to take advantage of their mistakes. “It will be a tough game, we have to focused in all lines to be safe and later hit them with speed.”
Jefferson FarfA?n has overcome an early injury to play a key role in Peru’s progression to the semi-final for the second consecutive edition, and he stated that the team are aiming to be in the showpiece event this time around.
“All we want is to reach the final – that’s the goal. We will fight for it. We do not feel pressure, we have youth and experience,” the Schalke forward said.
“We want to do the best for the country. Many people did not believe in us and now they see we are doing well.”