The coach Jorge Sampaoli expressed confidence in achieving a good result in the match that Chile will have tomorrow against Uruguay.
The strategist praised the performance shown by the Red Team in the group stage; he praised the actions of his players and also ruled out that his scheme would change if Edinson Cavani decides to leave the concentration due to a family problem.
I don't know if Chile is the clear favorite. This group is convinced that the way to win is by playing well. And that makes them a very powerful team when attacking. I know the team is going to play a great match.
His work may vary if Cavani doesn't play: It won't change. We know the game we're going to play. Cavani is crucial for Uruguay, but if not, another player with the same characteristics will play. Uruguay has a collective game that doesn't depend on any name.
He feels that Chile is the best: I think they had a good collective game, but in these matches there are many factors that come into play. They are decisive matches. Different. The group stage allows you to make mistakes. I am very excited about the desire to play that Chile has. One thinks that we have options to advance.
Aerial game: Uruguay is a specialist in the aerial game. They have great headers. We have worked to counteract that and solve it. Pressure turns into excitement. We are waiting for the match.
Increase in performance: There has been growth because we have corrected situations and victories also help. We have arrived at a decisive stage very well prepared. With a consolidated group. With all this, one gets excited.
Renouncing his philosophy: If they assure me that we will win the Cup, I renounce everything.
Panama from Pinilla: I don't know if that creates a trauma. It only brings back the memory of having advanced to the next stage. Beyond that, it's just a memory.
Absence of Luis Suárez: It is difficult to replace him because they get used to playing at his level. He manages on his own. But they also have good players, like Rolán, who stands out in France. Cavani, by his nature, is dangerous. They feel the absence of Luis, but the mystique of that team is the same, regardless of the names.
Recommendation to his players: Chile cannot be cautious. We have to go out and propose from the first minute. Alexis has to play as he is: influential for the team. Try to impose himself with his skill. We know what game we are going to play and what opponent we will face. Last time we completely dominated them and ended up losing.
This match may have something additional: It has many nuances. There are group commitments that drive us to the illusion of reaching a semifinal. But we face an opponent who manages each circumstance well and we must be up to that.
Penalties: We usually train situations that go along with the flow of the game. Today we worked on set-piece sequences and one of them was penalties. We don't want to leave any detail behind.
Tactics against Uruguay: We adapt to the requirements of what the game needs. Sometimes we have played with three at the back, other times with four. The opponent will make us see how to play. It depends on how many players attack us. But we want to be protagonists in this final against Uruguay.
A physical match: We will play the match that suits us best. Not allowing the physical contact to affect us, because the Uruguayans always benefit from that. We are thinking about what is best for Chile.
Evaluating Uruguay: Over time, after Bielsa's arrival, a change has taken place in the mentality of Chilean players, which leads them to compete with teams that have more victories in finals. We hope to take the step of consolidating ourselves and surpassing them. Each step is important to be among the best in South America.
Planning for the duel with Uruguay: The match is a very complicated final because of the characteristics of the opponent. That team knows these stages. The group is well, aware of the capabilities and difficulties it may encounter.