Citing the name of Didier Deschamps to Lionel Scaloni, his French counterpart in the World Cup final this Sunday, is likely to exhume painful memories in the Albiceleste coach.
The evocation of the Basque technician, for whom he has great respect, brings him back, in fact, to his years as a player and more particularly to the fall of 2003. The native of Santa Fé, 44, was then defending the colors of Deportivo La Coruña at the right-back position.
He had the misfortune to cross paths with Monaco, led by the former captain of the Blues, during the fourth day of the group stage of the Champions League.
This evening of November 5 in the Principality, in front of 17,000 amazed supporters, the Galicia club drinks the cup and concedes a memorable defeat (8-3).
Never before has a team scored eight goals in a match in the most prestigious continental club competition.
“Depor showed a ridiculous image to all of Europe.
That of a rough collective, without ideas.
It is inconceivable.
The inhabitants of La Coruña risk thinking a lot before going to sleep,” tackled the daily El Mundo the next day.
For his 29th birthday, the Croatian Dado Prso even signs a quadruple.
He equals in the history of European football Marco Van Basten and Simone Inzaghi, the only two players who have achieved such a performance in a match before him.
At the break the mass is said (5-2).
Scaloni will be able, at best, to heal his bruises in the soul by being the author of the second goal of his formation and the decisive passer on one of those registered by Diego Tristan.
Banal cautery on a wooden leg in the end!
“
We learned before the match that the Spaniards had gone shopping that morning.
We said to ourselves: this is good.
They must eat once and for all.
On arrival, that's what happened ,
”
quipped Jérôme Rothen, the Monegasque midfielder on the threshold of a real epic only stopped in the final against José Mourinho's Porto (3-0).
Water has flowed under the bridge since then.
Deschamps, partner in Valence in 2000-2001 of Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala, who became assistants to… Scaloni in selection, has the possibility of achieving an unprecedented feat in the history of modern football: being the first technician to chain two rank titles since then, the boss of Italy, double world champion in 1934 and 1938.
Called to succeed Jorge Sampaoli after the 2018 World Cup, marked by elimination in the round of 16 against France (4-3), Scaloni, aims to join César Luis Menotti and Carlos Carlos Bilardo, crowned in 1978 and 1986, in the golden book of Argentine football.
“He is a young coach, with a lot of potential, who has decided to surround himself with a staff of former Argentinian internationals.
They share a love of the jersey and a much more advanced preparation than before, ”confided to us, about him.
Gonzalo Quesada the coach of Stade Français.
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