Italy – C. Maldini: “The game on Friday is not a final before the event. It is only a quarter final!”

Statements from Cesare MALDINI, coach of the ITALY team, collected at Senlis (North of PARIS), 30 June:

“We are very familiar with the style of the FRANCE team, and have seen a number of their matches. Players such as Youri DJORKAEFF (6), Zinédine ZIDANE (10) or David Trezeguet (20) hold no secrets for us. Even though Zinédine ZIDANE is the key player for the French side, in ITALY we don’t have a Youri DJORKAEFF, who is capable of switching from defence to attack. Of course, this team is tired because playing extra-time leaves its mark. But then the optimistic statements made by the French side yesterday means that they’re very sure of themselves. The French team deserved to score against PARAGUAY, even with only six minutes left.

The game on Friday at SAINT-DENIS is not a final before the event. It is only a quarter final and there are a lot of games still to play. As for the starting line-up, I know what it is but I won’t be making it public just yet.