Word: bielsa
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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...
...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, and that's an understatement. There is no cooler head in a goalmouth melee than the Roma star. Batigol was the first-choice national team striker until he was injured during the qualification campaign...
...almost identical in size. But in playing style, they have one crucial difference. Crespo's edge over Batistuta is his ability to initiate attacks, not just finish them off. He is given to "dropping back to start movements from down the middle or on the flanks," Bielsa says. Still, this is an underrated quality, perhaps because the Argentine team is already richly endowed with playmakers?none more creative than the midfield genius Juan Sebastian Veron. Bielsa, many commentators suggest, doesn't need an extra goalmaker; he needs a forward who concentrates on the business of slamming the ball into...
...Some experts wonder why the coach doesn't simply play them both. Other teams have profited from fielding two forwards with similar playing styles?Romario and Bebeto in 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...
...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...