FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes
Match Number 20 ITA – CMR Quotes Claude LEROY
“We lost the match three nil which seems a bit severe. It wasn’t easy to get our game going with only ten men. At times I felt that we were the team with eleven players because we played really well in the second half.
We showed we were capable of playing well. I’d like to see that third goal again, because I think there may have been an infringement. ITALY is a good team, there’s no point looking for excuses. Now we’re going to have to pull out all the stops against CHILE (Group B) if we’re to have a chance of qualifying.”
Jacques SONGO’O (1):
“There’s always a large gap between small and big countries in high level competitions. It’s a tough result, we fell victim to the youth of our team. The first goal was due to a lapse in concentration and the sending-off of KALLA NKONGO (5) unsettled the team. We’ve still got every chance of getting through to the last sixteen. There’s one match left and the indomitable lions have not had their final say.”
Raymond KALLA NKONGO (5):
“
The referee thought I had already committed a foul. He mixed me up with another player and when he saw me commit the foul he took out the red card. I’m disappointed because it’s my first sending-off. I’ve never had one, even in league matches.”
Joseph-Désiré JOB (21):
“That’s that, we have no choice, we have to beat CHILE (Group B). I think if we had equalised before KALLA NKONGO (5) was sent off, the match would have turned out differently. Our shortcoming is that we always hold too much back at the beginning of the match, it’s psychological rather than tactical.”
Samuel ETO’O (11):
“He didn’t deserve a red card. The player had possession of the ball. Yesterday the same foul against RONALDO (9) only resulted in a yellow card. The sending-off of KALLA NKONGO (5) was our undoing and the rest you know! We will play the ninety minutes against CHILE (Group B) with lots of guts and fury.”
Paolo MALDINI, captain (3):
“CAMEROON were weakened by the sending-off of KALLA NKONGO (5), but that didn’t stop them from attacking. They made life difficult for us. We’re pleased with the match. We had a lapse of concentration for about fifteen minutes, but we were still able to finish the match well.”
Luigi DI BIAGIO (14):
“I’m very happy to have played the full ninety minutes for the first time. It’s also my first headed goal in five selections, even though I hope there will be others. I’ve only ever scored from headers three or four times in my career. Just after scoring, I didn’t know where I was. As far as the collision with KALLA NKONGO (5) is concerned, I don’t think it was intentional. However, I think he deserved the red card. I’m really disappointed the public thought I was acting. It’s a pity you can’t see all the times I got kicked in the shin.”
Christian VIERI (21):
“I’m happier with the way the team played than with my two goals. I’m really surprised by how well CAMEROON played. No team is playing at one hundred per cent yet, we’re still getting a feel for each other. When we opened the scoring CAMEROON had to respond, which gave us our second wind.
I’m just as comfortable playing with Roberto BAGGIO (18) as with Alessandro DEL PIERO (10) : I think they’re both great players.
In the future we should take the matches as they come. There are things to be improved however.”
Franceso MORIERO (17):
“I hope I played well for my first cap. Cesare MALDINI gave me my chance and I think I took it. I really liked the CAMEROON team, even though they were quite aggressive. Even one man short, they were determined but not rough. We had to win this match at all costs–we did and that’s the main thing.”
Alessandro DEL PIERO (10):
“I’m delighted to be back. Was it a coincidence that Christian VIERI (21) scored when I was on the pitch? I don’t think so. Roberto BAGGIO (18) played well. I had one chance, I turned the ball and Christain VIERI (21) finished it off. The coach’s advice to me was clear: attack. I’m very happy for the team, even if we still have a lot to do.”
