Lionel Scaloni, the undefeated coach of the moment who undid the Argentines’ desire to have Gareca

After so much uneasiness and frustration, in Argentina finally you can breathe tranquility and joy. Lionel Scaloni it has allowed that privilege of harmony in the gaucho country. Although this was not always the case with the young strategist in charge of the national team. In principle, his name did not even appear in the list of options for the ‘Albiceleste’. And that of Ricardo Gareca Yes. Now, both technicians will meet in Peru vs. Argentina with different presents.

The criticism and incessant reproaches against him continue, but not with the same intensity as in August 2018, when he was chosen to take the helm of the Argentine national team. Lionel Scaloni has managed to deal with all the negative and has managed to silence many mouths based on good results.

Now the duel against Peru continues, where he will measure forces with his compatriot Gareca, who was once close to occupying the position that Scaloni enjoys today.

A dream that did not come true

Ricardo Gareca He is a hero of Peru. Hand in hand with ‘Tigre’, the national team returned to a World Cup after 36 years of disappointment. After completing the feat and playing in Russia 2018, the future of the Argentine coach spent many days in uncertainty.

The rumors, then, increased. . After finishing his contract with the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) after the World Cup, he had the opportunity to continue. However, the ‘Tiger’ chose to ask for time to evaluate the offers that come to him.

The media and different characters of Argentine football looked favorably on the coach of Peru. His success with the ‘Blanquirroja’ did not go unnoticed. It was a real option to take on the challenge of directing the ‘Albiceleste’.

“”Oscar Ruggeri said then. “What else does Ricardo Gareca have to do to lead the Argentine National Team. He took Velez Sarsfield champion, went to Peru and took them to the World Cup playing well “he added.

He was not the only one. His opinion was shared by many, including himself Diego Maradona. Gareca was the preferred option for ‘Pelusa’ to lead Argentina, even above other technicians such as Marcelo Gallardo.

“In this case, I think we should bring a coach who is free to lead the Argentina National Team, but they are all in different teams around the world.”, Maradona stressed at the time.

The ‘Tiger’ had the preference of many and never hid his wish for this to happen. “I saw that I could become a possibility, that’s why I asked the FPF for a month, in case they called me from Argentina”revealed.

However, his dream did not come true. Lionel Scaloni was the chosen one. Now, .

From criticism to praise

Lionel Scaloni it is daring. He had never managed a first team before, but he decided to venture head-on with the Argentine team. He received many questions – some more justified than others – but he remained convinced of what he could achieve.

His inexperience was the main argument of the criticism that arose when taking office. “We are going to have a bad time”, “Argentina does not have a technician”, “He has no merit to lead Argentina”, were some of the many things that were said.

Maradona also joined in the reproaches. “We Argentines have this boy, Scaloni, who I repeat again, he is not to blame for being there. Scaloni was pushed and he is. The problem is that he becomes technical tomorrow and says ‘no, I want to go to the World Cup’. No, you can go to the Motorcycle World Cup, not football ”, hit the ‘Fluff’.

Scaloni ignored. Despite being buried by any adverse results, he continued to work and fight for success with the national team. So it was. The rookie coach has already done much more than other coaches with a more prodigious résumé.

Although the road at the beginning was dark, in the end he found a light that allowed him to shine. .

Thus, Scaloni put an end to a title drought that lasted 28 years. And his successes have not ended there. Currently, he is too close to qualifying with Argentina for the Qatar 2022 World Cup (2nd in the Qualifiers with 22 points) and most importantly: without going through any difficulties so far.

And it is that, after the semifinal that he lost in the Copa América 2019, Scaloni has not fallen again with Argentina. , after taking over the place left by Italy (37 games unbeaten) after their defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the Nations League.

The 43-year-old coach is now going for a historical record in the ‘Albiceleste’. .

Surpassing that mark will be an extremely difficult challenge. For now, Scaloni is concentrating on receiving Peru in Buenos Aires, after a phenomenal presentation (3-0) against Uruguay. The Argentine coach hopes to continue on his successful path and thus secure his ticket to Qatar 2022.