FRANCE 98 – Croatia – M. Blazevic: “Against Argentina, I'm going to put the best team possible on the pitch”
Four questions for Miroslav BLAZEVIC, national team coach for CROATIA (Group H), wednesday, 24 June at 15h00 at the Hôtel Ermitage in Vittel (Vosges) :
– Now that CROATIA has qualified for the round of sixteen, what are your objectives and expectations before the match against ARGENTINA?
“We met our first objective because we’ve qualified for the round of sixteen. As far as the second goes, wait and see…
Against ARGENTINA, I’m going to put the best team possible on the pitch in order to finish at the top of our group. In the round of sixteen, I’d rather face ENGLAND than ROMANIA, since ROMANIA plays the same style of game as we do. Sure, ARGENTINA is the favourite, but I think we can beat them. Davor SUKER (9) scored decisive goals against JAPAN (1-0) and JAMAICA (3-1), but teamwork is most important. The fact that some of our players are on major European squads is a plus for our team, but no one is indispensable. Our players are highly motivated, even more so when we’re not playing at home.”
– What are your thoughts about the World Cup, the team selections and the play of the favourites up until now?
“Listen to what I have to say. NORWAY (Group A) is a very strong team. ITALY (Group B) will not beat them, even if Roberto BAGGIO (18) is a star player. He’ll be less effective when playing more modern and more physical football.
As far as FRANCE (Group C) goes, they’re still my favourite team. I’ think they’ll win the World Cup. They’re a better team than BRAZIL (Group A) because they’re more physical and because they have an intelligent and clear approach to the game. I don’t even watch the FRANCE matches anymore, because I know they’ll win them all. I’m not too surprised by the long-shots. Every team playing in this World Cup is strong. In fact, as far as sport and organisation go, I’d have to say that this is the best World Cup that I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of.”
– What do you think about the firings of some of the coaches of teams that are eliminated from the World Cup after the first or second rounds?
“It’s all part of the game. We’re not tradesmen, we’re adventurers. Personally, I consider myself a nomad.”
– Do you have anything to say about the fans and their relationship with the national team?
“I’m delighted that we have so many fans. CROATIA is a small country which, like Africa, lives and breathes football. Given the poverty in our country, I’m not sure how the fans managed to make it to FRANCE. But it does show that the entire nation has embraced its national team, and that makes me very happy.”