The Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro said on Thursday that the growth of Peru in the matches it played after the 0-5 defeat that Brazil inflicted on them in the group stage surprised everyone, and that is why neither of the two finalists can be considered the favorite to win the Copa America title.
"Reaching the semifinals is completely their merit. When we faced each other we did our best and I am sure they are now doing their best and surprising everyone with their growth," said the left-back.
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The player from Italian Juventus insisted several times that Brazil, which will face Peru on Sunday at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro for the Copa America title, cannot be considered the favorite to win the match, neither for being the home team, nor for their historical victories against Peru nor for the defeat they suffered last month.
Alex Sandro ruled out Brazilian favoritism in statements to journalists at Granja Comary, the training center that Brazil has in Teresópolis, a mountainous city 98 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, where the Canarinha arrived on Wednesday night after their 2-0 victory over Argentina in the semifinals to prepare for the final.
"The favoritism only exists in the minds of the press and maybe the fans. For us, it doesn't exist. When it comes to a final, there are no favorites," he said.
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According to the left-back, the Peru that Brazil will find in the final will be very different from the one they faced in the first match.
"Just like we grew throughout the competition, Peru also grew. It is obvious that we have to be more careful because they are a strong and confident team," he said.
"The final is always a different match, where mistakes are not allowed," he added.
The player said that not only for Brazil's coach, Tite, who will play his first match at the Maracanã and his first final since taking command of Brazil, but also for all the players, it will be special to play a final in the legendary stadium considered the home of the national team.
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"Playing at the Maracanã is always special, even more so with the national team and in a Copa America final. It is a dream that we are living," he said.
According to the left-back, the national team has already experienced a historic and special moment with their victory over Argentina in the semifinals.
"What we did in the match against Argentina gave us confidence for the final and will allow us to arrive with more confidence," he said.
The player added that Brazil is currently focused on the final, so they have paid little attention to the Argentine complaints against the referee of the semifinal. "That is Argentina's problem," he said.
Alex Sandro, one of the players responsible for marking Argentine Messi in the semifinals, said that he will also have to be very careful with Peruvian Paolo Guerrero, who "has been having an excellent championship, he is a technically very strong player and we have to be attentive all the time".