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I'm missing a World Cup
Crespo feels that debt, since he wasn't a first-team player at France 98 and Korea-Japan 2002. He
returns on 9 February against Germany with three objectives: "lay, win and have a good time".
MILAN. His house near Como - five minutes from the Inter training ground and about 20 from Milanello,
the Milan training ground - is where Hernan Crespo spends his days. In between a little kiss for his small daughter
and the bark of his dog, the fourth striker in the history of the Argentine National Team and the
top striker in the World Cup Qualifiers (16) talks alone to Ole about his return to the blue-and-white shirt.
He already has a date: 9 February in Dusseldorf against Germany.
"I'm very content, I'm living with very happy feelings again. It's a happy time for me, football-wise and
personally. I've been very good physically for the last year and a half and this has made me better
mentally. Also, I like Germany, because they're great rivals who I've never met in my life. I like those
classic games: Brazil, Italy, England, Holland and now Germany. I'm just missing France. "
- "Tell us about your last game, against Paraguay (0-0).
- "eople weren't happy with Bielsa, we were defeated by Brazil and we could not win against Paraguay.
Our performance was bad, but we couldn't find a way to solve it. Of course, people whistled and
journalists gave us a hard time. But we must take responsibility and remember the context.
- "What happened afterwards? You didn't return to the National Team...
- "We were in Ezeiza, Bielsa and I. We spoke face-to-face. We talked about everything, like how I was
feeling, what I was thinking, my physical condition... It was a very good chat. We understood what
would be best for both for us. The decision was taken by him, of course, I wasn't unhappy with it. But I
believe that I had to honestly raise my hand and say: "I'm not doing well, I don't feel good." I could not
really guarantee anything at a physical level. And he listened.
- "You did not return to speak with Bielsa?
- "No, that was the last time. His decision surprised me. More than anything at that moment. He'd had a
good period, the National Team had reached the Copa America final and won a gold medal in the
[Olympic] Games. So I thought that he was going to continue, but then I heard. I experienced
something similar from the game: While I was in England football left my mind, that was the worse thing
that could have happened. Let's say that this chat with Bielsa allowed me to take the time I needed to
rest and to think things over. And soon afterwards, thanks to God, I came to Milan and everything came
back. Returning to Italy, to a giant club in world football, regaining my form and finally coming back to
the National Team. In that sense I will always be thankful to Milan. You could say that the Milan-Lab
saved me.
- "What's that?
- "The new medical infrastructure in the club, it's something amazing. I could not make a good recovery
in Italy or in England after my serious ligament tear at Inter. At Inter, I came back after a short rest and
entered the Champions League semi-final. And at Chelsea I found a system of work different from what I
was used to. Sadly I needed another type of work that I could not do. And I was always injured,
returning, playing a game, and missing the next 3-4 games. And I found it hard at a social level. Until
Milan came in July. The Milan-Lab works under a controlled system, day by day... Do you feel that you're
not fit? Then you train on a sand pitch. It's a regenerative programme. Do you think you stil have not
recovered? Then you sleep. They make an assessment on your body everyday. And they assess you
everyday. That type of work has developed my power and agility. But today there is still a great margin
for improvement.
- "Do you feel that your career is more recognized abroad than in your country?
- "I believe that I need a World Cup. I already have two behind me, but I'll say that I need to play a
World Cup. I was very young in Argentina, almost unable to enjoy the emotional wave that came with
winning the Copa Libertadores. I took part in two World Cups as a substitute and never played in the
Copa America. In the beginning I lived a little in the shadow of greats like Batistuta, Balbo, like Caniggia.
I did not pay attention to the number of goals in the National Team and say "Hey! I can be an idol..."
Since Diego, there hasn't been and I believe there won't be an absolute idol. Sometimes players can be
idols, but being everyone's idol is impossible.
- "You know [National Team coach Jose] Pekerman said that the No 9 shirt belongs to no-one. How do
you take that statement? Are you worried about your prospects?
- "I'll tell you the truth: Nobody is assured of any role in a World Cup. Each call up, each game must
have its history. In the National Team, at a personal level, everyone has three objectives: play, win and
have a good time.
- "Everything's very relative. I took part in two World Cups as a striker in the World Cup Qualifiers and I
didn't start any game as a first-team player. Take Caniggia, for example, he only played two friendlies
with Bielsa and was called up for the World Cup. Cani's situation made me think. The beginning of a new
cycle is a return to the beginning for everyone. Of course, experience cannot pushed to a corner, I'm very
clear on that point. But I'm not saying that experience is enough, you must use your performance to
prove yourself. You must conserve your strength, otherwise Kempes would still be playing for the National
Team.
- "Were you surprised by the call?
- "No, because I've been in contact with Pekerman and with Prof Urtazun [fitness trainer]. Ever since I
came to Milan I have told them about my situation, like that programme at Milan. For Pekerman and
the whole coaching team, I thank them for having confidence and patience in me. Also I was called up
for other opportunities and I wanted them very much, but I couldn't go and play. When I travelled for
the games against Uruguay and Chile, the day beforehand, I was injured and had to return. And then
there was the friendly last November: I was starting out at Milan and since it was not a FIFA fixture we
decided that it was not good to take risks and that it was better to follow the club's work plan. And this
was the right decision for that Coppa Italia game, in Palermo, where my goalscoring started to take off. I
saw that Pekerman and his colleagues have a good impression of me, like, I imagine, all the old members
of the National Team. They have always made me feel like a National Team player, even when I wasn't
playing.
- "Do you like his system? Is it similar to Passarella's?
- "It's a system more similar to the one played in Europe. It also has something of Passarella's style. Of
course, everything depends on the training arrangements.
- "What can you offer Pekerman for the World Cup?
- "At 29, I'm not going to offer the same as a 21-year old. The goals continue being goals, of course. But
at this level, you're filled with experience. On the pitch outside. Now I know very well what a World Cup
is, how it lives, how it feels and its rhythm.
- I always say that Italian football is not the most beautiful to watch but it's the hardest to play. Look, of
course, playing in England or Spain is not easy. But the strategy and tactics that exist in Calcio don't
exist elsewhere. Diego always said it. In the Premiership or La Liga it's more natural instinct.
- "There was a lot of talk about your friendship with coach Carlo Ancelotti when you arrived in Milan. Are
you his favourite?
- "I think that's a lack of respect towards him, first, and then me. There are no favourites in football,
nobody gives anything to you. I've always had good relations with him, he helped me when, as a
youngster, I came to Parma from River. He and Sensini were important for my adaptation. Ancelotti was
my coach, Sensini, a compatriot also in the National Team? The confidence that he showed in me and
that he had in me is undeniable, but if one does not reciprocate, then it's goodbye. After such a long
time, when a coach who once trained you recruits you again, would you refuse? Besides, my agent,
Fernando Hidalgo, also played a key role in this transfer.
- "Do you feel more like... Batistuta?
- "[Laughs] When Balbo and Batistuta arrived in Italy, I admired them and dreamt, one day, that I
would make it in Italian football like them. They were two great centre forwards and this was my
position. Soon I had the luck to play with them, in the National Team as well as in clubs. And now it
touches me that they have left football or the National Team. It's like life: until recently I was a son, now
I am also a father.
- "It's been just under 10 years since your debut in the National Team. Do you remember the line-up?
- "I remember the date, game and result. It was 12 February in Mendoza, Argentina 4 -Bulgaria 1. I came
on in the second half, but to be honest I can't remember the formation then. The goals: two from
Gallardo, a penalty, one from Rambert and the other... Ay, I can't remember. (editor's note: Ivanov).
- "You've had nearly 50 games in the National Team. Tell us a dream and a nightmare...
- "The dream is, finally, to play and to win the World Cup. The nightmare was the offside in the final of
the Olympics in 96 against Nigeria, Collina did not disallow the opponents' offside goal. Can I talk
specifically about 1996?
- Of course.
- I hope that Astrada can win another Copa Libertadores. I would be very happy to see River win a third
title. The first time River won was in 1986, the second time was 1996. I hope that 2005 will be a good year
for River fans.
- You'll be 31 in 2006. Valdano was that age wheh he won the World Cup in Mexico....
- I know. Diego won that time, I hope we can do it too...
Ole, 29 January 2005
[此贴子已经被作者于2005-2-5 22:56:04编辑过]
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