FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°24

 

With their FIFA ranking of second in the world behind Brazil, all bets ought to be off regarding Spain’s chances of beating Paraguay in here on Friday to put one foot in the second round.

Yet since last Saturday’s shock 3-2 defeat by Nigeria, a real gambler might just be tempted to put a wager on the South Americans causing a further upset as Spanish coach Javier Clemente prepares to walk a tightrope.

The Spanish came to France with their best side in decades, hoping for a to match or improve on their best-ever showing in 1950, when they reached the semi-finals.

But they could scarcely imagine the whirlwind which they would reap after they twice threw away the lead to get off to a disastrous start.

Spanish media slammed Clemente for fielding a team without a genuine striker and Madrid’s ABC newspaper was moved to state that ” Clemente stinks, ” while El Mundo was equally dismissive with its headline: ” Hopes flushed down the toilet by Clemente. “

Although the Spaniards have only lost four games in six years with Clemente at the helm, the Nigeria debacle will prove one too many-unless they see off Paraguay.

Though he is to make changes, Clemente has confirmed that Andoni Zubizarreta continues in goal, despite an appalling error for the Nigerians’ second equaliser.

And he hopes that decision will not rebound on him.

” I am not infallible and from time to time I have doubts, “ Clemente admitted before the squad flew from their Chantilly training camp to Saint Etienne for the match which will make or break their campaign.” But the Paraguay game and the Nigeria match are chalk and cheese. We were jolted by the defeat but we’ve had a few days to collect ourselves. We didn’t play so badly really and if we win our two remaining matches we are through. “

But Clemente has sent out a clear message that he will not tolerate any further lapses.

New Chelsea signing Albert Ferrer misses out having been substituted by Guillermo Amor in the opening match and Ivan Campo is also out.

But it is in attack where the Spaniards hope to unloose their chains, with Real Madrid youngsters Raul and Fernando Morientes getting a belated chance to show that they they can wreak as much mayhem on the world stage as they do at club level. Morientes burst onto the scene earlier this year by hammering four goals in his first two games.

Atletico Madrid striker Kiko keeps his place against expectations as Clemente puts the emphasis on attack, while Barcelona’s Juan Antonio Pizzi is in reserve.

Defender Miguel Angel Nadal is unlikely to feature as he is still battling to beat a thigh strain which forced him to sit out the final stages of the Nigeria match.

The match could hinge to a large extent on the form of the two goalkeepers with Zubizarreta still cursing Saturday’s clanger and Jose Luis Chilavert, penalty and freekick-taker extraordinaire, as eccentric as ever.

Paraguay hope to be at full strength with tough defender Francisco Arce and striker Miguel Angel Benitez having recovered from knocks sustained in the goalless draw against Bulgaria.

The Latin Americans finished second, just a point behind Argentina, in South America’s World Cup qualifying group and much of their success is down to Brazilian coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani’s ability to stitch together a team from limited resources.

Carpegiani put the team through rigorous behind-closed doors training as he mulled his final permutation for a match which the South Americans fervently believe they can win.

They will also go for the jugular if, as expected, Aristides Rojas and Jorge Campos line up in attack with Miguel Angel Benitez in the ‘hole’ behind them.

The outcome of the midfield battle will hinge very much on who emerges the victor out of the duel between Paraguay’s Roberto ” Toro ” Acuna, who plays for Spain’s Zaragoza, and the wily Luis Enrique of Barcelona.

But Carpegiani pinpoints Arce as their key man to steady the ship early on.

” Arce is fundamental to our plan as he breaks things up and holds the line superbly. And it was thanks to his selfless work that we created a number of chances against Bulgaria which we didn’t use, “ says Carpegiani.

Probable teams: ParaguayChilavert, Arce, Saravia, Gamarra, Caniza, Ayala, Acuna, Enciso, Benitez, Rojas, Campos
Spain
Zubizarreta, Sergi, Abelardo, Hierro, Alkorta, Luis Enrique, Amor, Celades, Alfonso, Kiko, Raul, Morientes, Julen Guerrero.