Sixty-three coached matches, forty-one of them won and only four losses suffered; Two World Cup experiences and a style of play that was once emulated, design the letter of introduction for Louis Van Gaal, the most veteran coach of Qatar 2022, far from that of his Argentine counterpart Leonardo Scaloni, in charge of the Albiceleste since September 2022. 2018.
The most veteran, the man with the most baggage on the World Cup benches, meets the youngest.
Louis Van Gaal, 71, is enjoying a second experience at an event of this level as the culmination of a renowned career in top-level clubs. On the other side, with similar aspirations, with the same goal, Lionel Scaloni, 44, with the Albiceleste as his only professional experience. Where he provisionally arrived from the lower categories and that he has managed to become strong in his occupation.
Nineteen games in a row without losing as coach of the Oranje national team accumulates this man from Amsterdam who assumed retirement five years ago, when life hit him with the death of his younger sister and son-in-law.
But He agreed to return to the national team for the third time for Qatar 2022. Along the way, he discreetly treated himself for prostate cancer from which he survived.
Six years at Ajax that marked his beginnings took him to Barcelona for the first time where he spent four more in two different stages. He returned to his country to lead AZ Alkmaar, then Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Illustrious clubs from the Old Continent that polished a enviable resume.
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Only one defeat in his last forty-seven games as manager of the Netherlands. He stayed one step away from the final in Brazil 2014, separated, precisely, by Argentina in that remembered penalty shootout.
“We can be world champions. I am not saying that we are going to be, I insist, but we are here and we have three games left, now. And of course it gives me pleasure to see these players play and it’s clear that I feel very proud of this group”.
The duel on Friday night looks like an Oranje revenge against Messi’s albiceleste now led by Lionel Scaloni, the youngest in the World Cup. But with the semifinals as a destination.
Scaloni arrived as an emergency resource as a substitute for Sampaoli. He was on the coaching staff of the national team, in the sub 20s and was provisionally recalled to that bench. Until now. With no background in any club beyond his career as a footballer, this guy from Santa Fe he has earned the trust and respect of the Argentine Football Association and its players.
He stood in Qatar with thirty-six games without losing, strengthened by the solvency he achieved in the team and with the Copa América under his arm. He arrived at the Scaloni World Cup and meets Van Gaal, two opposite points.
With a wide path through Spanish football as a player, recognized at Deportivo where he settled for seven seasons, he coincided on the fields with Van Gaal. Scaloni as a player. The Dutchman as a Barcelona coach, in his two periods.
Argentina coach since September 2018, he reaches the quarterfinals with 54 games as manager, 36 wins, 13 draws and only five losses.
The one who was a solvent defense and a hard-working midfielder, International only seven times, he now shares interests with that type of character settled on the Barça bench.
“Facing Lous Van Gaal will be a source of pride. I did it as a Depor player when I was managing Barcelona. He was already an eminence. Everyone knows what he did for football and how many have tried to copy him. Having him in front of you will be one of the pleasures that football gives you”.
