FRANCE 98 – Argentina-Jamaica – D. Passarella: “It was an excellent victory and a good match”

“We were really hoping to win this match so as not to have to worry about our encounter with CROATIA, but we didn’t think we would win with such a large goal margin. I think that ARGENTINE played a great match with good timing and excellent ball control. We were able to raise our game at the right time, which kept JAMAICA from playing their game. We have improved a great deal compared to our match against JAPAN, where we felt the pressure which is always present in the first match of the World Cup. But we’ve been able put that behind us. It was an excellent victory and a good match. That will give us confidence for our future matches. BATISTUTA (9) well deserved his three goals. He’s in good form and enjoys the support of the rest of the team. It is a personal victory for him, but that’s not of primary importance. What really matters to him is that ARGENTINA makes it into the World Cup final. Regarding SENSINI’s (6) injury, it is a bit too early to say. He has some pain in his left thigh, an ultrasound will be performed tomorrow and we will then know how long he’ll be out. Up till now we’ve been focused only on the match against JAMAICA. Our strategy is to take each match one at a time and take the team as far as possible.”