Italy – G. Pagliuca: “The team which wins Friday will make it to the final”

Statements from the training centre in SELIS

Christian VIERI (21)

“There is a lot of pressure surrounding the FRANCE-ITALY quarterfinal match on 3 July. For us Italians, it’s not a handicap; I’d even say that it inspires us. It’s not everyday that we have the chance to play in a World Cup quarterfinal match.

It’s all relative to me. I haven’t stopped progressing in this competition (as of today in the World Cup FRANCE 98, VIERI is joint top goalscorer with 5 goals, along with the Argentine BATISTUTA – 9), and I don’t plan on stopping while the going’s good.

My performance with the Italian team has also been successful due to the fact that Cesare MALDINI (ITALY’s coach) knows exactly how to place me within the team; we’ve known each other for a long time (Cesare MALDINI knows VIERI from the under-21 team, where he was the head coach).

In my opinion Zinedine ZIDANE (FRANCE – 10) is the best playmaker in the world. We will need to adopt suitable tactics to contain him. He has all the qualities that make a great international player. What’s more, he’s a true friend (VIERI and ZIDANE played together during the 1996/1997 season for Juventus in Turin).

I think that in order to win the match on Friday we will need to capitalise on French mistakes. FRANCE will need to control the game in order to play to the crowd; this will leave us open spaces for counter-attacks. I think the Italian attack is the strongest in this World Cup, and the same can be said for the French defence. “

Fabio CANNAVARO (4)

“We prepare all of our matches according to our opponent’s strategy. FRANCE has to make a good showing, because they’re playing in their stadium and in front of their public. They will need to play very aggressively, which will leave them open to attack. It will be up to us to capitalise on that.

This is the most important match of my career. Of course, we know the French players very well since seven of them have played in the Italian league. Ever since they’ve been in the “calcio”, they think like winners.

For me, I’ll face Lilian THURAM (FRANCE – 15), my central defender team-mate in Parma. We recently called each other, and Lilian asked me to keep the way clear for the French strikers TREZEGUET (20) and HENRY (12). I responded by telling him that we would have no problem getting past him at fullback (THURAM plays fullback for FRANCE whereas in Parma he plays central defender, DESAILLY’S position on the French team).

On a more serious note, I’m very surprised to see Lilian at this inhabitual position. But looking at the play of BLANC (5) and DESAILLY (8), FRANCE is a strong team with or without Lilian. The “galetis” (small roosters, a nickname given to the team from FRANCE by the Italians) are strong on every level. They’re a great team, and I think that if we beat them Friday we won’t forget about it in a hurry. It’s not going to be easy for me to face TREZEGUET (1m86 tall), because I’m 1m76.”

Gianlucca PAGLIUCA (Goalie – 12)

“I know Youri DJORKAEFF (6) well, because we both play for Inter Milan. He’s a great player, but Friday, there’s no way I’ll let last year repeat itself (during the Tournoi de France, when FRANCE and ITALY drew 2-2, DJORKAEFF scored a decisive goal in the corner of the net past PAGLIUCA). Friday, we’ll be on equal footing. Both teams have world-class players: VIERI for ITALY and ZIDANE for FRANCE. I truly believe that the team which wins this match will make it to the final.”