FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes
Match Number 60 HOL – ARG Quotes “The match was very intense, especially in the first half when each team had the opportunity to take control of the ball. In the second half, I think the NETHERLANDS team had a bit more ball control than we did and forced us to pull back. Our players’ physical fatigue in the wake of the match against ENGLAND was also noticeable. We nonetheless had numerous counter-attack opportunities while we took control of the game and they were generally in our favour. There was an unfortunate foul that I did not see clearly. I can’t say whether or not there was a penalty, but it deprived us of one of our players and allowed the Dutch to score.
There were two ARGENTINA teams, one in the first half and one in the second. I think that it is more a question of physical condition than of ball control. We did not completely recover after the extremely intense match against ENGLAND in SAINT-ETIENNE. Other than the fact that we had one less day of rest than our adversary, it is natural that we confront more difficult teams as we advance in the competition, and the NETHERLANDS are a very good team. We were in a very difficult situation because we played an excellent ENGLAND team in the Round of Sixteen match, and the same situation presented itself again today.
I consider our performance to have been extremely positive. We maintained our ranking perfectly; we played on the same level as the ‘big boys’. As for set pieces, everyone tries them; sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. As I’ve already said many times, our objective was to be among the top four teams. We were not able to accomplish this, but we played very well anyway.
I’ve said many times that now the four best have been selected, they are unquestionably good. I think FRANCE and BRAZIL will have an advantage over the other two teams who have one less day to rest. I believe that this can have a certain effect on the outcome at this level of the competition. I have no favourites. All I can say is ‘may the best win.’ “
Juan VERON (11):
“The match against ENGLAND in SAINT-ETIENNE tired us considerably and we had one less day of rest, but we are not making excuses. We are not upset. We could have put more pressure on the NETHERLANDS team, but we didn’t. Moreover, we lacked concentration. I will not comment on the sending off of ORTEGA (10). However, the expulsion came at the wrong moment: just when we were dominating with 11 players against their 10. Gabriel BATISTUTA (9) missed his chance at the goal.
We are sad for our families and for the Argentine people. Of course I regret not being able to continue in the competition, but we did our best. We gave our maximum effort. All the players are thankful to Daniel Alberto PASSARELLA for what he did with our team.”
“I thought it was a good game which we could almost totally dominate, although there was always the danger of their key players.
We were dominating the midfield. You have to wait for the good passes from the midfield… then BERGKAMP (8) made a very intelligent lay-off, and KLUIVERT (9) was very controlled in scoring. At one point, we were in trouble, after the sending off of NEWMAN (5). Then when ORTEGA (ARGENTINA n°10) was sent off, we were equalised in terms of numbers, and then we saw the fantastic action of BERGKAMP.
We know that we are physically very strong because we had a long preparation stage in Switzerland and Holland, which was very well done. On the other hand, it’s good to have some players who don’t have the fatigue of the tournament, and the combination of those two things is very important.
With regard to the next match: the semi-final to be played against BRAZIL, and as to whether it will be a repeat of the 1994 quarter-final, it has to be said that this is the semi-final, so it’s one step ‘better’. We’re looking forward to playing BRAZIL. Today, we would like to enjoy this enormous success, and then we’ll start thinking about Tuesday. We’re looking forward to that game, because we know BRAZIL and they know us. It will be a very interesting contest.”
