Batistuta and Crespo may take turns up front
June 1, 2002
Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo could share the World Cup striking duties after Batistuta was given the starting job for the opener against Nigeria. "This time it was his turn," said Bielsa.
Onefootball
The Argentine boss confirmed his plan to go with only one out-and-out striker as Batistuta got the nod. "I think that this is the best team that we can play against Nigeria," Bielsa explained.
"I had to make a decision and I have chosen Batistuta," he added. "Both players have made a big effort to be here [after injury-plagued seasons in Serie A] but I could only choose one.
"This time it was Batistuta's turn but eventually Crespo could play in the same position."
Bielsa also had to make a straight choice between former Valenica team-mates Claudio Lopez and Kily Gonzalez with the Lazio forward winning the day.
"Having looked at the games we have played I noticed that our goals came from the wings. Gonzalez and Claudio Lopez both do this work very well - but I had to choose one," the coach explained.
Pablo Cavallero, meanwhile, gets the nod in goal as Bielsa decided he was a "little bit more secure in the air".