France U23 team will face the powerful Argentina U23 team in the focus match of the men's football quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics on August 3 at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time. Before the match, France's head coach Henry attended a press conference and gave his views on the upcoming match.
Henry first spoke highly of the Argentine team, saying, "Argentina is a very good team, they are world champions and recently won the Copa America. They have both the vigor of young players and the experience of veterans in their squad, and it will be a very tough game. We need to prepare well for this game, study the tactical characteristics of our opponents through video analysis and other means, and find a strategy to deal with them."
On France's decision to rotate their squad against New Zealand, Henry said it was for tactical reasons and hoped the decision would have a positive impact on the team. He emphasized, "The outcome of the game depends on our own performance, we need to play at our own pace, no matter who the opponent is."
Talking about the historical feud between France and Argentina, Henry appeared very calm, saying that as a coach, he would only focus on the game itself and would not let any off-field factors interfere with the team's preparation. At the same time, he also denied the intention to avoid intensifying the situation, said the team's goal is to win the game.
On Argentina U23 manager Mascherano, Henry said his experience at Barcelona has had a profound effect on his coaching style. He sees Argentina as a team that likes to control the ball and try to dominate the game, and Mascherano is a firm enforcer of that style. Henry also said that he has been following the youth team led by Mascherano and appreciated their achievements.
Speaking on the reasons for the dominance of South American teams in Olympic soccer, Henry believes it has to do with the love of their country and the drive of South American players to prove themselves in Europe. He said, "South American players have always aspired to come and play in Europe, while European players are already here. When they represent their country at the Olympics, they give it their all because they know it's a great opportunity to show what they're made of."
On the question of whether the French fans' interest in the team will increase during the knockout stage, Henry said it is only natural. He emphasized, "Once you are in the knockout stage, every game is crucial. We know what we are facing and we have to give our best to avoid any mistakes."
Finally, Henry also spoke about the expectations of the Bordeaux crowd for the match. He said, "This stadium hasn't been full for a long time and this is very important for us. We hope to have the full support of the crowd to enjoy this wonderful game together."
