Argentina makes one change for England game

June 7, 2002

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa, revealing injury concerns over two players ahead of the upcoming showdown against England, said Thursday he expects a highly intense match and one that has "the potential for greatness."

Argentina, heavily backed to win the World Cup, can clinch a place in the second round by beating England on Friday night. A defeat would leave the English on the brink of elimination.

But Bielsa, whose team leads Group F after beating Nigeria 1-0 Sunday, said he was only focusing on winning.

"The game is of interest solely in terms of us winning," he said. "Whatever happens to England is not of interest to us."

Bielsa announced that Valencia's Kily Gonzalez would replace Lazio's Claudio Lopez on the left wing. If forward Ariel Ortega and midfielder Juan Pablo Sorin recover from injuries in time, the team will be the same as the one that started against Nigeria.

That means Gabriel Batistuta will again lead Argentina's strike force, aiming to add to his tally of 10 goals in three World Cups.

Juan Sebastian Veron will be Argentina's playmaker, just behind Batistuta and two attacking wingers.

However, defender Roberto Ayala will miss his second consecutive match as a result of a thigh strain suffered in the warmup before the Nigeria game. Glasgow Rangers attacker Claudio Caniggia is a week away from being available for selection as he recovers from a knee injury.

Bielsa said he was optimistic that Ortega and Sorin -- both crucial to his team's balance -- will be fit in time.

"They have not been able to train normally for the last three days but in principle the possibility that they will play is good," he said.

Sorin, who plays on the left of midfield and is strong in both attack and defense, would most likely be marking England's David Beckham. Bielsa said he picked up a calf injury against Nigeria.

Ortega plays wide on the right, and his mazy dribbling and creativity are also vital to the team. He has scored 17 times for Argentina in 82 games. His injury was described only as a muscular one.

Argentina versus England is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, and has often produced moments of greatness _ and controversy.

In 1986, Diego Maradona scored the infamous "hand of God" goal in Argentina's 2-1 win over England. His second goal was recently voted goal of the century by FIFA.

At France '98, Argentina again knocked England out of the competition, winning a penalty shootout 4-3 after a game in which Beckham was controversially sent off.

Bielsa, rarely drawn into debates over rival players or the hype surrounding games, acknowledged that the stakes would be high Friday.

"This isn't just another game," he said. "It's one that carries a lot of history with it, and we won't be ignoring that.

"I expect a very intense game. We expect the players will have to run many more meters, and at a faster pace," than against Nigeria, he said. "It will be one of great power, and has the potential for greatness."

He said the English would pose an aerial threat and also singled out their ability with crosses and set pieces.

Regarding England's Michael Owen, who scored a memorable goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, Bielsa simply said: "Our only plan is to be aware of his ability and deal with it."

In the absence of Ayala, Bayer Leverkusen's Diego Placente will again feature on the left of a three-man defense alongside AS Roma's Walter Samuel and Paris St. Germain's Mauricio Pochettino.

Veron will retain the captain's armband. Expected lineup:

12-Pablo Cavallero; 3-Juan Pablo Sorin, 4-Mauricio Pochettino, 6-Walter Samuel, 8-Javier Zanetti, 9-Gabriel Batistuta, 10-Ariel Ortega, 11-Juan Sebastian Veron, 13-Diego Placente, 14-Diego Simeone, 18-Kily Gonzalez.