There is another countenance in Javier Mascherano. A more relaxed version of the former captain of the National Team that today commands the destiny of the Sub 20 that obtained two triumphs in its first two presentations in the World Cup and took passage to the knockout stages.
El Jefecito proclaims the enjoyment of his youth leaders in this competition and he also tries to do it. During his stay in Santiago del Estero he was seen very close to people every time he left and entered the hotel. And until one day he decided not to get on the bus and return from training running 8 kilometers.
He is the same Masche as always, with his same thoughts and concepts, although qualifying for the next round in the absence of Friday's match against New Zealand in San Juan brought him a sigh of relief. That allowed him to forget the bad passage through the South American of Colombia.
And he makes it clear as he takes some time to stop the ball for a few minutes with Clarín in a round trip after the resounding win against Guatemala.
-Before the World Cup started you told the boys to enjoy it, do you think that in this last game they started to enjoy it?
-Hopefully. We saw a version very similar to the one we have been used to throughout the process and unfortunately we could not see it in the South American.
-Did the nerves of the debut play in the first game, beyond that it could be won?
-Everything has to do. It is not easy to carry the exposure that these guys carry. In the end they are still 19 and 20 years old. But they are carrying it in a very noble way. We are very happy with that. We try to convey tranquility above all.
-Does having achieved the qualification to the eighth round definitively leave behind the frustration in the South American?
-Yes. This is a different group, we've changed a lot of guys. Since we started training on May 8 we tried to turn that page. What has happened to us has perhaps served us more as a coaching staff to learn some things, reflect and analyze. Nor can we be repeating the same thing to the boys. That has already happened and we must look forward. Today he finds us in another, totally different position. We have to try to continue in that dynamic.
Masche interacted a lot with people during his time in Santiago del Estero. Photo: Juano Tesone, special envoy
-Some of the kids are not afraid to say that this team is to be champion, what do you think?
If you don't trust yourself, who will trust. That is fine and I think it is perfect that we aspire to that. But with the peace of mind of knowing that you have to go step by step. We must continue to improve and build. I always say the same thing, you always have to dream big.
-What are you seeing from this World Cup, do you have a candidate?
-There are teams that are very good. You have to understand that youth teams are not the same as a senior team. Performance tends to be spotty because the guys are still in the process of training. That is why we try to have certainties with our sensations and from there we will see how the story continues.
"We have to keep improving and building," says Mascherano, coach of the U20s. Photo: Juano Tesone, special envoy.
-Do you plan to rotate for the last game of the group and are you going to keep the base to give it more shooting?
-The idea is first to see how the boys ended up and how they recover. In training you also have to understand that boys of 18, 19 or 20 years do not recover in the same way as those who have an advanced age. That's why we try to take care of them with that in mind. From there we see. We are happy with everyone's level and it gives us peace of mind and certainty to be able to count on replacement. That for a coach is very important.
-Is it your happiest moment as coach of the U20?
-I've had nice moments with these guys. We have been here for a year and a half. The last stretch had not been the best, but you have to always be positive and always hope for what comes in the best way.
-People show you a lot of affection, what does it mean to you at this time in your life?
-It's something incredible. I am totally grateful to all the people of Santiago for coming to the hotel, for giving us their energy, for being so positive and for showing us their affection. Hopefully we have been able to give him back some of all that they gave us in these two games.
What did you tell the coach of Guatemala about espionage?
The controversy had been installed prior to the crossing with Guatemala. Coach Rafael Loredo publicly accused Argentina of sending a spy to take pictures of the Guatemalan locker room after the first game and even raised a claim to FIFA.
When both teams went out to the grass of the Único Madre de Ciudades, Javier Mascherano came to greet the coach of Mexican nationality. In the greeting an apology was perceived, but the dialogue was more extensive. What did the Argentine tell you?
Mascherano explained to Loredo what happened in the confusing episode in which Guatemala accused espionage. Photo: Juano Tesone, special envoy
"I talked about what was rumored these days. We were not aware of what happened. There was a confusion. Obviously if there's one thing I don't do, it's spy on someone. Today with all the technology it is not necessary to do it. We have all the parties in Guatemala. They played a game before us. We saw the four games they played in Argentina against Los Andes, Villa San Carlos, Gimnasia and Sacachispas," Masche explained to Clarín.
"There was no point in spying. There was a costume mistake and they interpreted something that was not like that. I gave the technician the peace of mind to tell him that we don't usually do those things. We would never do it because we don't like them to do it to us," he concluded and closed the issue.
Santiago del Estero. Special envoy.