FRANCE 98 – Denmark – Johansson: “The team is very well prepared”

Is DENMARK ready for its first World Cup tie (match no. 5, Friday 12 June at 17 h 30 at the Stade Felix Bollaert in LENS)?

“Things are getting clearer and clearer. The team is very well prepared. As for the final make-up of the team, I will take that decision after training and maybe not even until tomorrow. There are still question marks hanging over the number of defenders and midfielders I intend to put out – three defenders and four midfielders, or the other way round? My teams normally play three defenders using a zonal marking system. Every coach asks himself this kind of question on the eve of a difficult match.”

Which Saudi players do you fear most?

“The key players are the goalkeeper and the centre-forward, because they have specific roles. It’s stupid to say that there are key players. The key player is the one with the ball. I also think it’s stupid to say that the Saudis will have problems playing in the wet. This team is ready, like all the others, no matter what the conditions may be.”

What do you think of your Group C opponents (FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA and SAUDI ARABIA)?

“FRANCE are playing at home, so they will obviously be the group favourites. It seems to me that there is not much to separate the other three sides. No one can say before the start of the games who will come second in the group.”