By David Hytner
Sportlive
The very mention of Gabriel Batistuta strikes fear into the hearts and minds of even the most wily and intimidating of defenders.
Just ask Arsenal's Tony Adams or Manchester United's Jaap Stam, both of whom have suffered in the recent past at the hands of the Argentine hitman.
But as the striker dubbed 'Batigol' prepares for Wednesday's Wembley showdown with England, he has a message guaranteed to send a tremor through international football - that his country is poised to rule the world in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
"At the moment we are going through a transitional period, but the team are proving stronger and more resourceful than the one that played in the World Cup in France," he said.
"We have some extremely talented players coming through and by 2002 I think we will have the strongest squad of any competing nation."
A bold boast, but one certain to receive a strenuous examination by Kevin Keegan's men. Batistuta is aware of the chequered footballing history between the nations and the importance of the fixture, one in which England will be motivated by revenge - that game in St Etienne remains all too fresh in the memory. But he insists Argentina will approach it no differently than any other big game.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Any international game is important, but that's not to say we will be treating this match with any higher degree of importance."
However, he admits to being excited at the prospect of returning to the ground where he tormented Adams and Arsenal, where his stunning individual goal for Fiorentina sounded the death knell for the Londoners' Champions League ambitions last season.
"Wembley's a nice ground and I'll always remember it for the great goal I scored against Arsenal," he said. "I guess I've come to like Wembley after that game. The pitch is very wide and allows you to play more freely. "I don't know why they are rebuilding the place. When you look around the world, it is still one of the nicest stadiums. And if I manage to score again, it will be something to remember. But then again, I score so many goals, it's hard to keep track of them all."
One such strike was from the penalty spot in the infamous World Cup clash with England at France 98, an early goal which provided a portent of the drama to come. Batistuta is adamant that David Beckham should not have been made the scapegoat for England's defeat.
"If David Beckham hadn't been sent off, we would have still won the game," he claimed. "His dismissal went against us because England retaliated defensively and put everyone behind the ball. The game lost its flow and we found it difficult to break them down. Before the sending-off, we were well on top."
Beckham's demise was precipitated by the gamesmanship of Diego Simeone and, despite the outcry which followed the Argentine's role in events, Batistuta claims his team-mates will once again attempt to goad the England player.
"There is always going to be banter on the field and I'm sure some of the players will try and wind him up if they think he's going to react," he said. "But Beckham is now more mature and should have learned from what happened in France. Besides, if he just concentrates on his football and forgets about that, he will do all right."
He added: "I've not seen a great deal of England since our meeting in the World Cup. I hear they are going through quite a few changes in terms of the coach and players. It takes time to find the right formula so the fans need to be patient."
"But England have one of those reputations that brings fear wherever they go. They will always be in with a chance, they are in the same boat as the likes of Germany, France and Italy. One thing's for certain, though, they won't find it easy to beat us at Wembley."
For England, a telling Euro 2000 pointer beckons. But for Argentina, glory appears scheduled for a more distant date.
