Austria - H. Prohaska: "Against Italy, we will have to play our best football"

22.06.98 16h47 CET

Comments from the Hôtel Radisson, at Mesnil-Amelot:

 Herbert PROHASKA (Team Coach, AUSTRIA)

"If we are to do better than we did against CHILE (Group B), we must improve our game and the way we move the ball around. Tomorrow, Tuesday 23 June at the Stade de France, we will have to play our best football. As an outsider we have just as much pressure on us as ITALY. However, they have more to lose and will not be satisfied with a draw. This will be the most difficult match for us. Reaching the round of sixteen is really important. Tomorrow we have to perform well. There is a good spirit in the squad and I'm confident. I had a long career as a player, ending in 1983, and this helped me a lot. But there's no short cut to understanding psychology and human relations. You have to follow your instincts."

Heimo PFEIFENBERGER (8)

"I saw the video of ITALY's last match against CAMEROON (Group B),17 June in Montpellier). The Italian team is efficient and compact. They use long balls. Despite being outsiders, we are set on reaching the last sixteen. As in the World Cup qualifying round, where we had to win six matches, we will go flat out, and if we are on a good day, we can do it."