I have arrived in BA after several hours delay in the air.
During the long flight, I had a chance to read a lot about Argentina fútbol. In Argentina, people are very proud of their style of fútbol, called la nuestra (ours). It is a style characterized by dribbling and short passes. Argentinians believe Argentina invented this style.
la nuestra is favored by coach like Menotti (the one who won the 78 World Cup), Valdano, Bielsa, etc.
but playing la nuestra does not always win trophies. In the last 2 Copa Américas, Argentina lost twice in the Final to Brasil while playing la nuestra
there were times when Argentina did not play la nuestra, like under Carlos Bilardo in the 1986 and 1990 WC.
the other style, which the Argentinians claimed was the European style, was more interested in winning than style. and this other style, when employed in Argentina, can be often brutal and dirty.
no club best exemplifies this style than Estudianted de La Plata in the late 1960´s. They were successfull, winning 3 Intercontinental Cups in a row. But their style was to intimidate their opponents. Anything (spitting, pulling hair, elbowing, etc) was acceptable as long as the referee did not see it.
Carlos Bilardo played for this club back then so it was no surprise that as a coach, he embraced this style.
Will Argentina play la nuestra or will they play Bilardista¿
the worst nightmare for Argentinians in Copa América is not that they do not win the tournament.
the worst nightmare for Argentinians in Copa América is that Brasil wins the tournament.
That's why Maradona called it The Hands of God :)
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