From Clarin, 24/02/2000
English translation by Mari
Cuba -- Diego Maradona suffered while watching what was for him a very boring match, that played by England and Argentina. He got really mad with Bielsa for bringing in Crespo to substitute Batistuta.
"He's the best player we have and he took him out", said Maradona in a friend house while watching the match along with his father and his friend, Coppola.
Maradona while recovering from his drug addiction watched very closely Argentina's latest match before the World Cup 2002 qualifying matches.
Regarding Diego's feelings toward Bati's substitution,we have to say, this is not the first time Maradona speaks in favor of Batistuta. They played together in World Cup 94, a friendship was born out of mutual respect. Batistuta was substituted after eleven minutes into the second half.
Diego was very touched when images of himself while playing in World Cup 86 were showned during half time. Coppola mentioned that Maradona is considering an offer to become a soccer newspaper commentator
