Abbondanzieri believes bad patch is over (5 May 2006 15:44 GMT)
Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri is confident his poor run of form is over and he will be at his peak for the World Cup next month.
The 33-year-old known as 'The Duck' was heavily criticised after the 3-2 defeat by Croatia in March and also suffered a dip in form at club level with Boca Juniors early in the year.
"I finished last year very well....but I don't know what happened after that," he told Thursday's La Nacion newspaper in an interview. "Everyone was watching me very closely and that made things difficult for me. But I think that after the friendly against Croatia, where a lot of things were said about me, I got it into my head that I had to be as relaxed as possible. In the last few games I've had the confidence that every goalkeeper needs to have and the results can be seen on the pitch."
Abbondanzieri has been Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper for the last two years although some of his performances have left the supporters uneasy.
"I feel that I am good enough to be defending the goal for the national side," he said. ";I'll get to the World Cup at the perfect moment... in every sense: in my private life, experience-wise, and the fact that my age is right for a goalkeeper playing at the World Cup."
He said he never felt there had been a concerted campaign against him. "I would have to be very important to have a campaign against me and I don't feel that important. I've been in the national team for two years and I've never understood why they always go for the goalkeeper when there are other areas to analyse. But I also knew it was the normal thing and I've had chats with people who've gone through the same thing. (1978 World Cup goalkeeper) Ubaldo Fillol gave me advice and this helped me," he added.
source : FIFA