Brooding Batistuta gives England the most to fear

June 4, 2002

"We weren't exactly jumping up and down when Gabriel Batistuta scored," Gareth Southgate recalled of the game's defining moment.

England-Argentina meetings are invariably suffused with the weight of sporting history, from Rattin in 1966 through Diego Maradona's Hand of God, to the Argentines' obscene gesticulations at the vanquished English in St-Etienne at France 98.

Others may throw the millstone of political history into the pool of pre-match speculation; Sven-Goran Eriksson was ill-advised indeed to mention the Falklands conflict while debating the competitive spirit of the English. How many times do football people need to be reminded of the difference between sport and war? To their credit, Eriksson's players see only a sporting rivalry to England-Argentina.

Historically, England and Argentina have strong commercial links and many of the sporting institutions of Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities boast English ties, a fact reflected in clubs' names. Whatever past sporting grievances, Friday's game promises a celebration of Argentine ability on the field of play.

Batistuta would dive for his country but he remains a competitor to be admired for his phenomenal physical and mental capacity. Corner after corner against Nigeria, Juan Sebastian Veron kept swerving the ball to the far post and Batistuta. Eventually, he connected and Argentina were up and running.

"They had tried that set-piece move four times so it's a warning there for us," Southgate said. "It was ironic the goal came from a set-piece." Fluid football has been the image of Argentina with technicians like Veron, Claudio Lopez, Javier Zanetti and Ariel Ortega, who all started against Nigeria.

Shaggy of mane and stylish of game, Batistuta, Juan Sorin and Diego Placente exude class.

"I was impressed with Argentina," Southgate added. "They looked good with some individual flair. But we always knew they are a very good side. Friday will be very tough."

The contrast will be obvious: England will be young while Argentina overflow with seasoned campaigners with World Cup experience like Batistuta, Zanetti, Veron and Diego Simeone.

Unlike many England players, Marcelo Bielsa's side also treat the ball as a precious commodity; moves, often one-touch, speed the ball around the field, usually with the wide-ranging Veron, a far more influential force than at Manchester United, dictating the tempo. By contrast, England risk the ball more, lifting long passes to Michael Owen, who will compete gamely in the air but with little realistic hope of getting a touch. England face a lesson in the art of possession in Sapporo.

When Batistuta was replaced with nine minutes remaining, the contrast in quality between Bielsa's squad and Eriksson's 23 was almost painfully acute.

"The bench they had!" Tord Grip, Eriksson's assistant, said. "Hernan Crespo! Pablo Aimar! Kily Gonzalez!" Not to mention defenders like Roberto Ayala or Jose Chamot. Nor the midfielder Marcelo Gallardo.

"Their bench is just like ours!" Southgate laughed. "Argentina have got players who can win the game from the bench." Batistuta, the brooding predator of the penalty box, captured the headlines on Sunday with his headed finish. England need to minimise what few moments of comfort fall his way. Whether Bielsa starts Batistuta or Crespo, England will show their respect.

"I have played against Batistuta three or four times and he has been a different player on each occasion," said Southgate. "When it has been competitive, Batistuta has been outstanding. When it's a friendly, he is usually less committed. Certainly Batitsuta's still good but you don't know whether they might play Crespo against us."

England have to acknowledge the experience of Batistuta who already owns his own patented anti-ageing skin cream. Southgate knows him well.

"Batistuta is so direct and very strong," said Southgate. "If he gets a chance, Batistuta shoots on sight. He's got that instinct.

"Against Nigeria, Batistuta never really looked in the game that much but then when the chance came, he scored. He hasn't always played for Roma this season but I think he's still a great player. You ignore him at your peril. He's still up there with the best in the world. Argentina have also got Crespo in contention and he's one of the best strikers in the world." Potency versus potential: Argentina versus England.

Telegraph Sports