Weight of expectation on hosts Chile to benefit Peru - Gareca
Ricardo Gareca said he is hoping the expectations on Chile can contribute to sending Peru into a Copa America final.
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Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said the pressure on hosts Chile to win the Copa America is something his side can exploit in their semi-final clash on Monday.
The Peruvians booked their place in the final four with an impressive 3-1 win over Bolivia in the previous stage, while the hosts endured a nervy encounter before a late goal saw them past champions Uruguay 1-0.
And the former Palmeiras boss feels the weight of expectation from the home support can be a benefit for his side.
Gareca should be wary though - Ecuador midfielder Christian Noboa indicated that all the pressure was on Chile, prior to losing 2-0 to them in the tournament's curtain-raiser.
"Chile have a lot of pressure - a heavy burden to win due to being hosts - and we will try to take advantage," Gareca said in a news conference.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli will be unable to call upon centre-back Gonzalo Jara after he was handed a three-match ban for his part in a clash with Edinson Cavani in the quarter-finals.
"They have players capable of replacing Jara, it will not change much," Gareca said.
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"I do not see the match as complex. It will be 11 against 11. We can give a good show."
Gareca would not give away any hints over his team selection for the match at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, but suggested there could be a shift in their formation.
"I still haven't defined the the team but I have it in my head. I will decide tomorrow," the 57-year-old said.
"We have the possibility of changing our tactics, but I cannot change the style and how we play."
Along with Sampaoli, Gerardo Martino and Ramon Diaz, Gareca is one of four Argentine coaches at the semi-final stage.
"It is unprecedented that four Argentine coaches reach the semi-finals. It's great, but I do not think it will happen again," Gareca predicted.
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