Santiago, June 27 (IANS) Chile midfielder MatÃas Fernández does not consider the side favourites for the semi-final clash against Peru on Monday but hopes to provide the public with some joy by reaching the copa America final.
Fernández, who plays for Italian football club Fiorentina, came on from the bench in La Roja’s opening match against Ecuador but was shown a red card which ruled him out of their next outing against Mexico.
He has yet to start a game at Copa América 2015 with Jorge Valdivia in fine form for Chile. However, the insists he is still preparing for the meeting with Peru, where he believes neither side go in as favourites.
“We are all here to contribute. We all prepare to play and then it is the coach who decides who plays,” Fernández said in a press conference on Friday.
“In these instances all opponents are difficult. There are no favourites. We must prepare for the match well to give joy to the people.”
David Pizarro echoed the sentiments of his teammate and is hoping they can reach the final on July 4.
“It is a very important match, in which we are playing for a place in the final. I think every player wants to compete at this level and reach the final stages, like the final of this Copa,” he told reporters.
“The team is prepared, without doubt. The team has a clear idea and the objective is to reach the final.”
Midfielder, who also plays for Fiorentina, expects a tough fight from Peru.
“Peru have very good individuals, and the Copa is proving this. We will see which version of them we will face — the one that drew with Colombia or the one that beat Bolivia.
“This team has great commitment to this country and that’s very important.”