Germany - B. Vogts: "Against the USA, it should be a very athletic confrontation"

13.06.98 15h20 CET

Statements made in Nice (Alpes Maritimes county), during a Press Conference at the Stade Charles Ehrmann:

"I've always been very optimistic since I've been in charge of this team. I'm satisfied with my group and its preparation. Everyone gets on well, and there's a very positive working atmosphere.

There's been a great deal of preparation. It wasn't specially adapted to one match, but to the competition as a whole.

I will announce the line-up for the match against the UNITED STATES (Group F), on the day of the game.

The first matches have confirmed my previous statements about the fact that the gaps are closing in performance levels between the so-called 'weak' teams and the 'strong' ones. Some teams, such as MOROCCO (Group A), have shown they can withstand the pace of the competition.

We have a lot of respect for the UNITED STATES team. It should be a very athletic confrontation, and we will have to impose our way of playing in order to put this team, against which we are, of course, favourites, off their guard."