Carlos Bilardo has warned Argentina not to become complacent following the draw for the World Cup.
Technical secretary happy to be playing twice in Johannesburg
Carlos Bilardo has warned Argentina not to become complacent following the draw for the World Cup finals, but is happy to be playing two games in Johannesburg.
Argentina have been drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, South Korea and Greece, with Diego Maradona's side expecting to progress to the last 16.
However, the Argentina Football Association's technical secretary Bilardo has personal experience of opponents being under-estimated in the first round of the World Cup.
Bilardo was Argentina coach in 1990 when the then-holders were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in the opening match of the tournament and he does not want to see lightning strike twice.
"I am content with the draw, but we can't get relaxed," said Bilardo.
"I remember what happened to me in 1990 when everyone was happy because we had to play against Cameroon and we lost. So we can't get relaxed.
"It's true that we know each one of the teams we have to play against very well, but nowadays there are no easy teams. Football is very equal all over the world.
"We know what Nigeria means, Greece won a European Championship not so many years ago and Korea can make things difficult - we have already played against them in 1986."
Positive
Argentina will play both Nigeria and South Korea in Johannesburg, and Bilardo is pleased the games will be staged near the team's intended base.
He added: "The most positive thing is that we will be hosted in a beautiful city and we don't have to travel too much, we will be near our hotel and training camp all the time.
"Then, if we manage to get to the round of 16, things will be very difficult too. I have already been speaking with (Michel) Platini and he said to me that he expects France to play against Argentina at that stage and, to tell the truth, I wouldn't like to play against France so early.
"Anyway, my opinion is that if you want to win the cup you have to beat all the teams you play against."
