Cuevas will be on the bench (Allsport).
GOAL HERO TO START ON BENCH
By David Anderson, PA Sport, in Seogwipo
Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for Paraguay team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone
Supersub Nelson Cuevas will start on the bench against Germany on Saturday
despite his two goals against Slovenia.
The River Plate striker, who scored the goal that took Paraguay through to the
last 16, has recovered from a knock he suffered towards the end of that dramatic
3-1 win, but coach Cesare Maldini does not think he could last the whole match.
Instead the vastly-experienced Jose Cardozo, who made way for Cuevas on
Wednesday, will partner Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz in the second-round
game in the Jeju World Cup stadium.
Maldini said: "Cuevas has recovered from his problem, but he will not start.
"I don't think he could last 90 minutes so I will start him on the bench."
Roberto Acuna is Maldini's only injury doubt and the Real Zaragoza midfielder
is struggling with a groin injury.
Maldini is keen that Acuna recovers because Porto midfielder Carlos Paredes
has already been ruled out because of suspension.
Maldini knows Paraguay, who also reached the last 16 at France 98 only to lose
to a golden goal from the French, face a testing afternoon against the Germans.
"They are a great team," he said. "Technically they are very good, while
they also have a strong mentality, which I think is one of their best
qualities.
"It will be very difficult for us."
Paraguay's best chance may be to try and hold out for penalties and Maldini
made his players practise taking spot-kicks at the end of their training session
in the Jeju stadium.
One Paraguayan not lacking in confidence is Jose Luis Chilavert - but then
confidence is one thing the eccentric goalkeeper has never lacked.
When asked what he felt about facing Germany and Bayern goalkeeper Oliver
Kahn, he replied with typical modesty: "It will be a great match - the two best
goalkeepers in the world playing against each other."
|