Word: argentina
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...their part, both players have discreetly avoided mentioning the topic; by all accounts, they enjoy a cordial relationship in the locker room, despite the efforts of Argentina's media to goad them into a bloodier rivalry. Bielsa, understandably, is fed up with fielding Batistuta-or-Crespo questions at every press conference. In the run-up to the Cup, he agreed to address the issue only once at any length. Even then, after outlining their relative strengths, the coach concluded, "It's a difficult choice." Thanks for the insight, Marcelo...
...fans, is the most successful striker of his generation, having achieved mythic status at Italian club Fiorentina in the 1990s before moving to AS Roma two seasons ago. In the modern game, a deadly forward is one who scores once every three games. Batistuta's average for Argentina is better than two in three. With his shoulder-length blond hair and soulful eyes, he looks a likely lead in Jesus Christ Superstar, but he has the instincts of a cold-blooded killer. Bielsa notes that Batistuta is "more comfortable in the last third of the pitch" than his rival...
...give the kid a break: it was just a warm-up. In the matches that mattered, Crespo delivered the goods, scoring nine times during Argentina's qualifying march. Overall, he has a strike rate of one goal every other game?better even than English idol Michael Owen. Where Batistuta is a smooth assassin, Crespo is a wily pickpocket, deceiving defenders and slipping unnoticed into goal-scoring positions. At 26, he is at the peak of his powers, and although he hasn't scored in recent friendlies, he has looked sharp...
...Brazil's Cup-winning 1994 side, for instance. Bielsa has never really tried the combination, arguing that this would oblige him to play one of the two men out of position, which might mean that he would get less than 100% from that man. "It's not ideal for Argentina to play them together," he insists. For most defenders, the prospect of 100% of Batigol and 50% of Crespo (as he's the one who would have to drop back) would be frightening enough, but Bielsa won't hear...
...would argue with a successful coach? Under Bielsa, Argentina is unbeaten in its last 14 games. By broad consensus, the 24 players assembled at the J-Village make up the strongest squad the country has ever sent to the World Cup?including the champion sides of 1978 and 1986. With either of the two superstrikers wreaking havoc, the team stands apart as the thinking fan's favorite to win it all. Batistuta or Crespo? In the end, Bielsa might just as well have tossed a coin...