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Stopping Drogba all in the mind, says Heinze
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-06 09:02

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, June 5 - Argentina's Gabriel Heinze believes they have the key to neutralise Ivory Coast dangerman Didier Drogba in their opening World Cup Group C match in Hamburg on Saturday.

"Drogba is a great player, he is showing that all the time," Heinze said as Argentina continued their preparations to meet the African debutants.

"Marking him is based a lot on the concentration and positioning we have to have," the central defender told a news conference at Argentina's tournament base near Nuremberg.

"He waits for diagonal balls or lurks behind the back of the central defender furthest from the ball," added Manchester United's Heinze, who has played against Drogba in both the Premier League and French Ligue 1.

"With regard to the Ivory Coast team, we're looking at things in increasing detail and hoping this week goes by without any problem so we get there in good shape."

Ivory Coast are taking part in their first World Cup in a tough group that, as well as twice winners Argentina, includes Serbia & Montenegro and twice finalists Netherlands.