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Coach's son embraces captain's role
Maldini won't rule out returning for next World Cup
Posted: Tuesday June 30, 1998 11:43 AM
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Maldini has played in three World Cups for Italy (Stu Forster/AP) |
SENLIS, France (AP) --
Being the team captain, as well as the son of Italys coach,
Paolo Maldini is a good authority when it comes to assessing the Azzurri's
upcoming opponents. So, these days, his opinion is in demand
concerning France, Italy's opponent in the World Cup quarterfinals.
"It can be considered a World Cup final from a technical point of view,"
Maldini, son of Cesare Maldini, said Monday as the team began preparations
for Friday's match at Saint-Denis. "They only allowed one goal in four
matches. But also their midfield is strong." Although he considers
defense France's best asset, Maldini also knows the host team has a natural
advantage. "France is the favored team, because of the home factor,"
Maldini said. "But I believe it's a wide open match. It's going to be a
tough test for both teams. "Being favored, at home, you can also be
afraid of not winning. We noted this fear on the French side in the match
against Paraguay,"
which France won 1-0 in extra time. Maldini said he and his
teammates expected more Italians fans for the match. Attendance by Italians
at the team's first-round games was disappointing. "I believe it's a
problem to find tickets," he said. "Italians are not as well organized as
Danish or Norwegian supporters. ... For sure French fans will be
overwhelming Friday, but I don't expect any hostile attitude."
Maldini will set an Italian record of 19 appearances over three World Cups
by starting in Friday's match, beating by one cap 1982 World Cup stars
Antonio Cabrini and Gaetano Scirea. "I was lucky to play in Italian
teams which went far in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups," the 30-year-old
defender said. "I'm not thinking of playing in the next World Cup; 2002
looks so distant to me. However [Giuseppe] Bergomi is here with us at 34.
Thus never say never."
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