Carlos Bilardo, aka El Narigon meaning big nose, is the go to person for Argentina as they near the end of their World Cup wait. Bilardo was the main man behind their last two World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990 and it was under his guidance the Albiceleste achieved glory in ‘86.
Argentina must have picked out the right man as Bilardo held the post of national coach from 1983 until the 1990 World Cup. Under his guidance, Diego Maradona flourished as the most dominant player while Argentina also enjoyed their best international harvest. They lifted the 1986 edition of the World Cup but failed to defend the glory in 1990 as they lost the final to the Germans, same opponents of ‘86 final. It should also be mentionable that current coach Alejandro Sabella won the national league title as a player under Bilardo in Estudiantes in 1982.
“It’s a chance for revenge for both sides. For them and for us. The fight is one on one, and now we will decide the winner. This is the third time Argentina and Germany will face each other in the final of the World Cup but this time it will belong to us,” said Bilardo who has inspired the side as an advisor for couple weeks now.
Bilardo was left angry after their defeat in the Italia ‘90 and he must still remember how ill-tempered the game was. Pedro Monzón had the distinction of being the first player in 14 World Cup final games to be sent off, after being shown a straight red card for a harsh tackle on Jürgen Klinsmann, while Gustavo Dezotti received his second yellow card when he hauled down Jürgen Kohler as eventually Argentina were reduced to nine men and lost 1-0 off a 85th minute penalty.
Now, nearly three decades later, the former coach of the Argentina national team is closely following the effort of his country in Brazil, in search of the third title.
“It’s a big moment for Argentina. The team is playing its fourth final of the World Cup and I am very happy to be with the team. Germany must be thinking the same - “Again we come to the final and rightly against Argentina.” Well, let’s see what can we do, surely Argentina will not leave any stone unturned,” warned the most influential coach of the Argentine football history.