Alexis and Vidal doubts to face Brazil

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has confirmed he is unsure
whether Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal will be fit to
take on Brazil.

Chile may be without influential duo Alexis Sanchez and Arturo
Vidal when they begin their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign
against Brazil, according to Jorge Sampaoli.

Both the Arsenal forward (knee) and Bayern Munich midfielder
(groin) have been included in the Argentine coach's squad but
have arrived carrying knocks picked up on club duty.

And while Sampaoli remains unsure if either of them will be able
to feature in the newly crowned Copa America
champions' opening clash with Brazil, he still feels they have the
quality to begin their campaign in a successful manner.

"They are both in the same condition. I cannot confirm at this
stage if either will be fit to face Brazil," the 55-year-old said in a
news conference.

"Of course, they are very valuable to us but I am confident that if
they are not available we have the squad to be competitive
against Brazil or Peru."

Dunga's side suffered a quarter-final elimination from the 2015
Copa America at the hands of Paraguay, but Sampaoli still
believes they pose a significant threat.

"Starting the qualifiers against Brazil is the worst possible
scenario," Sampaoli said.

"They are still the greatest power in the world, despite all the
criticism, and they have elite players.

"Starting against Brazil or Argentina is much riskier than playing
other teams."