Date: December 21, 1997
By: Bruno Passarelli
Source: El Grafico
Translated by: Humbird
One time, ten times, one hundred times, like a furious bull, with an anger that disfigured his face and knotted the muscles in his neck, Gabriel launched his missiles against the inexperienced goalkeeper. It was evident that each kick included all the bad humor and deception caused by the news.
He was so angered that he even forgot that his son, Thiago, was running around nearby with a football.
In the entrance door, some twenty fans from Argentina waited, dressed in the Blue and White shirts.
At the end of the training that the coach, Claudio Ranieri, had prepared for him, Batistuta showered, and in the darkness, with Thiago by the hand, accepted to speak. He didn't want to do it, he was so unhappy, but his professionalism and self-control allowed him to speak.
Gabriel, did you expect this exclusion?
Why didn't it surprise you?
Yes, but this exclusion arrives after several bad games.
A while ago, you said that you had thought about quitting the team. Are you thinking this again?
Is it because you only played in one World Cup, as compared to Balbo who has played in two?
In Argentina, many don't understand why Bati makes goals for Fiorentina and not for the Seleccion.
Passarella, said that he did not want to call you for the game against Colombia only to have you play half an hour.
What do you think about the Redondo situation?
Outside, in spite of the cold night which is falling, they wait for him stoically—the fans from Argentina which have come to Coverciano. They take photos with him and ask him to sign shirts and scarves. They do not know that this Bati who autographs and forces himself to smile for photos, is now no more than the ex-captain of la Seleccion Argentina.
"I Respect the Decision, but it doesn't Go Over Well With Me"
No one knows with certainty that at 17 years of age the young goalkeeper Mattia Passarini has a luminous future in football. But for now, he can tell a story in which he—in spite of himself—was a protagonist. Because Gabriel Batistuta, his idol since youth, was discharging at him, during the practice that Fiorentina made in the sports complex of Coverciano, all the anger that had been provoked in him by the news that he was again left off Passarella's list for the game against Colombia.
I don't like it, but it didn't surprise me. It was always possible, although I hoped until the last moment that it would not be.
Because Passarella, before commencing the qualification round, had spoken with us, those that played outside Argentina, and told us that he would not always call us every time. And he indicated that the games as visitors against Colombia and against Bolivia were those in particular.
I don't know. The only thing I can say is that now he is leaving me out. Passarella must have thought to give me a rest and I respect that decision, although I don't like it very much.
No.
Doesn't have anything to do with it. If quitting crossed my mind, it would be because I feel very hurt by the criticisms that we received. They were very tough and, worse, unjust.
The answer is very simple. In Fiorentina, I receive many more passes of the ball in condition to score a goal. With the Seleccion, there are fewer and, therefore, mistakes are noticed much more.
I know nothing of this, Passarella didn't speak to me of this. The only thing I can say is that I would have gone to Colombia. For me it is not a problem. The uniform of the Seleccion is, absolutely, that which motivates me. More than Boca or Fiorentina.
Nothing, I have no opinion.