Maradona: "Redondo, Batistuta, and Caniggia's place in the National Team is unquestionable"

Oct 21st, 99

From TyC, 17/10/99

English translation by Mari

Diego Maradona categoricaly said that Batistuta, Redondo and Caniggia should be part of the team coached by Bielsa.

"Caniggia, Batistuta, Redondo are unquestionable, they have to be there. With this I'm not being disrespectful toward Bielsa, because even before I wore the #10 shirt, I was and still am a National Team fan" said the ex-Boca Jrs.

To enforce his position Maradona said:

"It's not the same having to face Batistuta, with his 200 goals, than to face Crespo".

"When they see Batistuta, they have to think twice before trying to run him down" said Maradona to radio "La Red".

Regarding Cani, Maradona thinks he should also be called.

"Yes, Cani should be part of the National Team. He's working hard to reach top form, and the coach should lend him a hand helping him in his comeback" Maradona said.

Analyzing Argentina's victory over Colombia, 2-1, he said that Argentina played a very good first half.

"After the first half Argentina slowed down. Argentina did what was expected, they won, but with this win they only paid half of the debt they owed the Argentinian people".

Argentina's National Team ex-captain also has something to say about Veron:

"Too many long passes, 'La Bruja' should play the way he used to play with Boca, he needs to be more explosive in his play".

He questioned Guglielminpietro saying:

"Not even Bielsa understood how he played. You never knew what role he was playing in the pitch".

Then he said Ortega played very well and that he and Batistuta gave Argentina their win.

"Seing Orteguita playing in Europe, I thought that maybe he would forget his type of play, but no he didn't. He played a very good second half".