Chile – M. Salas: “We didn't get in here by accident”

Mauricio AROS (16)

“Our entire team is fired up and ready to play a great match against BRAZIL. We’re very proud to have made it into the knock-out round, but we want to go even further. To do so, we have to beat the best team in the world. I don’t know who will be starting, but if my coach selects me, I’ll give it everything I have.”

Marcelo RAMIREZ (12)

We’re going to play to win against BRAZIL. We communicate well on defence, and good communication is essential to defend against the Brazilian aerial and ground attacks. Am I impressed with RONALDO (9)?. Sure, he’s a good player, but no more impressive than say, SALAS (11) or ZAMORANO (9).”

Ivan ZAMORANO (9)

“We’re confident for our match Saturday. We have won the chance to play here against BRAZIL, and we have to make the most of it. Of course I know RONALDO since he plays for my club [Inter Milan]. When he’s having a good day, he creates a lot of problems for us. I get on very well with RONALDO in Milan, but I think I get on better with SALAS (11) on the Chilean team. I like PARIS a lot. I’ve played a lot of matches here, and my fondest memory remains the UEFA cup final that we won here with Inter Milan. I’ll be staying with Inter Milan next year, but I’m very proud that a team like Paris Saint-Germain has expressed interest in me. Maybe I’ll play in PARIS one day. Is RONALDO better than me? I don’t doubt it for a minute. I’m 31 and have accomplished much in my career, but he still has his entire life ahead of him. For now, I can thank God for giving me a chance to play with the two best strikers in the world: RONALDO in Milan and SALAS on the Chilean side”.

Marcelo SALAS (11)

“We’re very calm and relaxed going into this match. BRAZIL is a great team, but we didn’t get in [the round of sixteen] by accident. We wanted to at least qualify for the knock-out round. You can’t do better than play against a team like BRAZIL. No single player on that team deserves special attention. They’re all dangerous, but we’re relaxed and optimistic”.

Javier MARGAS (5)

“True, RONALDO is a great player, but I think I can defend against him and contain him. We’re going to play a zone defence instead of man-to-man. REYES (6) and I will play centre defence together. We get on well. I dyed my hair red for this match. It’s not the first time — I’ve done it three times before, but the whole team has promised to do it if we win Saturday”.

José SIERRA (10)

“Are there cracks in the Brazilian wall? No, I don’t think so. Their loss to NORWAY doesn’t mean a thing. They were already qualified and so they only played at 50%. They have a great team but we are capable of beating them.”