Alfaro compares France to an 'electric storm' ahead of World Cup clash

Paraguay's coach Gustavo Alfaro compared the upcoming World Cup match against France to facing an "electric storm," emphasizing the need for his team to stay grounded despite their previous success.

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France is an electric storm. And those bolts, which come out of anywhere, are directed into the goal. So we know an electric storm is coming and we have to see how to avoid the lightning bolts.

Alfaro highlighted France's "extraordinary" offensive capabilities, noting how their individual talent serves the team, a quality he considers France's key differentiator. He also pointed out the physical toll on his squad, who played 120 minutes and went to penalties against Germany, while France secured their win in 60 minutes and had time to rest players.

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The capacity that the four forwards have is extraordinary because it is not only their individual capacity but also the talent at the service of the team, which is the ideal that a coach seeks. The talent that shines for the team is the differential that France has compared to others.

Despite acknowledging France as the "world number 1," Alfaro stressed that Paraguay's prior victory over Germany does not alter their approach. He recalled the team's difficult starting point 21 months ago, being far from qualification, to underscore their progress. He stated that regardless of the outcome against France, the team has already achieved its primary goal: returning to the World Cup after a 16-year absence.

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What took us 120 minutes and penalties, took France 60 minutes. They finished the phase and already made five changes for what was coming. That is one more burden we have for tomorrow's match.

"You have already won. You don't have to prove anything here," Alfaro told his players before the tournament. However, he clarified that this does not mean they are not there to compete. "We are here to compete," he insisted, urging for tempered euphoria and a focus on making life difficult for their formidable opponents.

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It doesn't change for me that we beat Germany, it doesn't change that we qualified third, it doesn't change if we have the privilege of beating France, it doesn't change if we have the misfortune of being eliminated. Why? Because I know what the starting point was. This team, a year and nine months ago, was out of everything.