SAO PAULO:
When Alejandro Sabella was handed the task of reviving Argentina’s fortunes after a poor campaign at the 2011 Copa America, not everyone in his homeland was convinced he was the right man.
“I don’t know why they chose him,” said the country’s legendary 1978 World Cup-winning coach Cesar Menotti. “I don’t know what his project is.”
Three years later, and Sabella’s appointment is starting to look like a stroke of genius by his bosses at the Argentina Football Association as they prepare for their first World Cup semi-final since 1990.
Under Sabella – nicknamed El Mago (‘the magician’) during his playing days – Argentina have developed into a formidable side that is again punching its weight.
They may have won all their matches by just one goal margins but they have shown a mental strength that was singularly lacking four years ago under the unpredictable Diego Maradona.
Some have queried if the team relies too much on four-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi, but if that is the case, it only goes to prove that Sabella took the right decision when he took over at the helm by swiftly installing him as captain.
Unlike some of his predecessors Sabella has not hesitated to tailor his team in order to make the most of the four-time World Player of the Year’s talents.
The results have been spectacular, with Messi for the first time consistently producing his sparkling Barcelona form in Argentina’s famous colours, with four goals alone at the finals.
Van Gaal enjoying his Orange period
Win or lose Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will leave the World Cup having firmly reinforced his reputation as a master tactician.
Manchester United fans must be feeling on excellent terms with themselves at the prospect of seeing the distinctive 62-year-old’s presence filling the Old Trafford dugout in a few weeks time.
But before he swaps his orange tie for red to direct his prodigious grey matter to reviving United’s fortunes, Van Gaal has unfinished business in Brazil.
After Holland’s 2-1 last 16 comeback win over Mexico van Gaal was hailed as the most tactically astute coach in the game by Dirk Kuyt.
The way Van Gaal switched the former Liverpool forward between three positions in Fortaleza as circumstances required illustrated his thinking-out-of-the-box approach.
As did the way he exploited the cooling breaks in that match to make tactical switches.
But for sheer audacity it was hard to beat his switching of keepers to bring on Tim Krul for Saturday’s quarter-final penalty shoot-out.
A disciplinarian who has rarely lacked confidence in his own ability, van Gaal has won domestic titles and cups with Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as guiding Ajax to Champions League glory.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2014.
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