Bielsa coach plays down rivalry with English

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa insists he is thinking only of booking a place in the second round of the World Cup - not of sending England home.

Talk of revenge has been in the air from both sides in the build-up to tomorrow night’s Group F clash in Sapporo.

England’s Sol Campbell has recalled how Argentina players gloated after their France 98 victory on penalties.

And Celta Vigo keeper Pablo Cavallero made reference to the Falklands Conflict of 1982.

Diego Maradona added his own touch of venom, claiming England are ‘‘absolutely terrified’’ and ‘‘quaking in their boots’’.

But while others fan the flames the wily Bielsa, who knows a victory over England would book a second-round place, is keen to play down the bitter rivalry between the sides and concentrate on getting the best out of the tournament favourites.

‘‘We are not thinking about sending England home,’’ insisted Bielsa. ‘‘We are only concerned with our own intensity.

‘‘We respect the English team and this is a good test for us.

‘‘I am very aware of how England play and we have prepared for this game as thoroughly as any other.

‘‘After beating Nigeria I knew that we must improve. What we did against Nigeria is not enough.’’

Asked if he had any special plans to combat the threat of Michael Owen, who scored a wonder goal against Argentina at France 98 but was largely subdued against Sweden, Bielsa replied: ‘‘My only plan is to be aware of his abilities and to deal with him.’’

England came in for some heavy criticism after their 1-1 draw with Sweden, particularly the way they allowed Sweden to dominate them in the second half.

Some critics suggested England were too inflexible in their tactical approach but Bielsa was not about to bite on that bait either.

‘‘I don’t see any reason why England can’t adapt their game,’’ said the Argentina coach, who was clearly determined not to give Sven-Goran Eriksson any ammunition with which to wind up his players.

Bielsa’s players may already have done that however and, in any case, England’s France 98 survivors will need no motivation.

Bielsa plans to start against England with the same side that started the second half of the 1-0 win over Nigeria, with Kily Gonzalez replacing Claudio Lopez.

Juan Sorin and Ariel Ortega have not training ‘‘normally’’ for the past three days according to Bielsa but he expects them to be fit to face England in what is the biggest game of the Group phase.

Asked what sort of match he was expecting tomorrow night, Bielsa replied: ‘‘It will be very intense with a lot of pressure from both sides.’’

Bielsa admitted he was concerned about England’s power in the air and particularly the threat posed by Sol Campbell at set-pieces.

Campbell powered home a header from a David Beckham corner in England’s 1-1 draw with Sweden and Bielsa said: ‘‘It is not only a question of stopping their players in the air, we have to make sure we address the problem at its root by not letting them get good crosses in. We know that will be tough.’’

But the Argentina coach insisted his side would not change their normal quick-passing style, adding: ‘‘The most important thing for us will be possession of the ball. We have no choice but to play to our strengths - that is the right way.’’

Bielsa, asked about the post-match Argentina player celebrations at France 98 which upset their England counterparts, said: ‘‘I am really not aware what happened the last time but I would hope that if we have cause for celebration we would do it in a sporting manner.’’