BURDISSO and Clemente speak to the media

Following the order that has been established, it was time for the number 3 (Clemente RODRIGUEZ) and the number 4 (Nicolás BURDISSO) to speak at a press conference.

I have to be completely honest with you and for much as I like Clemente and he seems to be a good guy, I can't use any of his answers because they were all the same and they really have no substance to them.

He basically said he is fine and ready to help the team when needed and he said the same like 18 times in half an hour.

Who did speak and said some very interesting things was Nicolás BURDISSO.

Here are the highlights of what he said:



On whether it is more important to play a good game or to win against Nigeria:

"To start with a win has more value than to start playing a good game. It's the first match. The one you anticipate the most. There is a lot of anxiety in all of us. To start off with a win, like we did in the last World Cup is very important."


On knowing that he probably won't start against Nigeria and how he prepares:

"Preparation for a match changes when you know whether you will be in the starting XI or not. But it could be a dangerous thing. You have to train with the same intensity as the starters because being on the bench means that you have to be ready to jump to the pitch at any given moment and you need to play as hard as the starters."

"This is a short tournament and there are a lot of matches in a row. Playing as a defender is difficult because one yellow card will compromise you for the rest of the game or the tournament. You have to realise that during the World Cup you have to be ready because the moment in which the manager needs you will come and you have to be up for what the team needs from you".

On whether Argentina are favourites to win the World Cup:

"We can't hide. There is no doubt that the level that most of our players are showing and the things our manager generates in everybody will position us as candidates. But it happened before when we beat Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in Germany 2006 and everybody though we were winning it and then we couldn't get far".

"We reach this World Cup in a very different way than four years ago. We arrived in Germany 2006 playing well in the Qualifiers, but here we are arriving with our key players at a higher level than four years ago".

On Javier MASCHERANO, who celebrates his 26th birthday today:

"MASCHERANO is a pride for all of us. We saw him making his debut for the national team even before he played his first professional game for River Plate. He is an example for all of us and for the youngsters that want to go far in football. He is a great leader for us".

"We gave him a present during our training session (note: he smiled and didn't specify what they gave MASCHERANO. I'm guessing it was something nasty, like a punishment. Which is a very common practice among kids in Argentina. A few slaps or ear pulling). Later tonight we will surely see him blow the candles".

On living every day with a legend like MARADONA and whether that affects the players or not:

"Diego's legend will always be with us. But after our first team talk in Glasgow when he managed his first game, we stopped needing an idol and started needing a manager. From that moment on, our relationship with him has changed and has become like any work relationship with any other manager. Of course, after all this experience is over, his legend will continue to live strong".