Argentina chase 15th Copa crown

03 July 2015 02:46

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero wants to see Argentina go one better than they did at last year's World Cup by lifting the Copa America this weekend.

The Albiceleste will face tournament hosts Chile on Saturday aiming to win a 15th continental title, which would see them equal the record held by Uruguay.

They will also be looking to avoid a repeat of the heartache which followed their defeat to Germany in the Brazil World Cup.

Sampdoria goalkeeper Romero said: "Winning the cup is everything we want.

"We were close in the last World Cup, we broke our bad streak of losing in the quarter-finals and we were right there.

"We are a group of friends who are trying to do the best for our country. On Saturday, with God on our side, we will show everything we have been working for."

Argentina reached the final with a 6-1 rout of Paraguay but, despite their run, star forward Lionel Messi has managed just a single goal all tournament, although Romero is keen to play down that statistic.

He said: "I would like him to score but if he provides three assists, as he did against Paraguay, we are going to raise him on our shoulders because it is the same thing."

Coach Gerardo Martino is also unconcerned by Messi's drought, telling Ole newspaper: "Leo has the capacity to be important in whatever way he wants. Who could think that his assists are not the equivalent of a goal?

"I see him happy, I do not see him worried about not netting. He does not need to be the top scorer to be happy."

Chile saw off Peru in the semis and have reached the final four times before, the most recent appearance coming in 1987.

They have yet to win the title, however, and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo believes they will have no better chance than as tournament hosts.

"We are never afraid of other national teams. We respect them but we do not fear them," the Barcelona player said.

"We have to do what we have being doing. We have to fight, play as equals. The chance is ours, and with our home fans in the stands that increases our chances of getting closer to the title".

However, Bravo feels Chile's hopes will be further boosted if club team-mates Messi and Javier Mascherano are shut out of the match.

He said: "Our strength lies in our squad. We will try to ensure every member does his job and that means neutralising Messi. But not only him - Argentina's players are world class. We have to worry about all of them, not just Messi.

"Mascherano gives a lot of character to the squad. He is the true heart of the team, so I hope both of them have a bad game."

Source: PA