C. Maldini: "FRANCE 98 is a great World Cup"

14.06.98 16h21 CET

Cesare MALDINI, ITALY coach (Group B)

Comments from press call at the Parc des Sports in Senlis (north of PARIS)

"FRANCE 98 is a great World Cup. My favourite match to date was NIGERIA-SPAIN (Group D). NIGERIA has a good team, but I had already said that at the draw in MARSEILLE. I also saw the FRANCE match. There were no surprises for me. Aimé JACQUET, the coach for FRANCE, can use different strategies because he has players capable of playing in different areas of the field. As for ITALY, I've noticed that only DEL PIERO and Roberto BAGGIO are talked about, even by the Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, but you mustn't forget there are 22 members in the team. For the match against CAMEROON, (Wednesday 17 June at 21h00 in MONTPELLIER), I haven't yet decided who will play, but one thing is sure: media speculation will not influence my decision. The team I put on the field for training is not necessarily the team I put on for the match the same day. INZAGHI and CHIESA may play. Tomorrow we are all going to view and analyse the video of CAMEROON's first match, as they have some good players."