Off the wire
China wins first gold of Gwangju Universiade  • Peru defeat Paraguay to clinch Copa America third place  • Copa America results  • Sampaoli: Chile will continue to attack Argentina  • Feature: Solar Impulse 2 lands in Hawaii after 118-hour non-stop flight over Pacific  • China Voice: Proactive China to help rather than hinder global governance  • Greece can't have parallel currency with euro: Austrian bank governor  • PLA holds military drill in HK, locals invited to observe  • 2nd Ld Writethru: Solar Impulse lands in Hawaii after record-breaking flight over Pacific  • Gjirokastra, Berat of Albania removed from World Heritage in Danger list  
You are here:   Home

Martino expects Argentina to spoil Chile's party in Copa America final

Xinhua, July 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Argentina's coach Gerardo Martino praised local Chilean people's warm welcome during their stay in the host country, but the 52-year-old said there will be no sympathy for their hosts in the Copa America final on Saturday.

"We have been treated wonderfully here," Martino said on Friday at his side's pre-match press conference ahead of the final against Chile. "But this is football. We have to play with the ball and try to win the game."

Argentina has to face several defensive sides in previous matches at this year's Copa America due to its formidable forward line, but Martino believed Chile will come out and attack in the final.

"It's very difficult for them to change their style," he said. "They have been insisting on an idea for some time now, so they may change personnel, but when it comes to the game itself and how they approach it, Chile will be the same as they always are."

Argentina has been without a major international competition trophy since winning 1993 Copa America, and a win on Saturday will therefore end a trophy drought of 22 years.

"We just have to take advantage and by that I mean winning it," Martino said. "We are very happy with what we have done so far and anxious for the final to arrive." Endi