Ricardo Gareca settles on the edge of the National Stadium field. He is standing near the middle of the playing field, slightly charged towards the southern sector of the playing field. In Ñuñoa it is cold, but the coach does little to warm up. Unlike the behavior that characterized illustrious predecessors, such as Marcelo Bielsa or Jorge Sampaoli, the Tiger He does not watch the game while crouching nor does he walk from one place to another with his gaze lost.. His, a priori, suggests greater normality. Or, from the point of view of the players he coaches, he conveys greater tranquility.
The national coach is far from the performances of his predecessors. He does not use refrigerators as a seat, because, strictly speaking, he never changes his upright position during the ninety minutes.. The maximum variation of your body language It is going from having your arms crossed to having your hands behind you. There are no shouts or raised hands seeking popular support. Sobriety marks, at least, a good part of his behavior in the duel against Paraguay.
Gareca tries to convey security. It is one of the qualities that Pablo Milad, the president of the ANFP, highlights when talking about objectives for the continental tournament. “Gareca is a winning man. He likes to go out and win. The goal is to reach the top“, says the helmsman of Chilean soccer when referring to a specific goal in the competition that will be held in the United States, certainly, without specifying it.
The other thing that the coach reflects is the need to make efforts to achieve objectives. In that sense, for example, there is a notable change in the pre-match routine. This Tuesday, after breakfast, at Juan Pinto Durán Training was carried out that went far beyond the physical activation that previous coaching staffs used to develop before games. This time, there was a more formal training, which included, in addition to the physical, work with the ball: there was a memory refresher for the players in relation to tactical and strategic movements and, also, a review of stopped balls. The influence of the work system could be clearly seen in the performance against Daniel Garnero’s squad.. La Roja did a forceful job, which revitalized the optimism of the fans, who recognized the coach’s influence with applause, and generated reactions in the countries that will compete in the continental competition.
At the Macul complex they joke. “Gareca’s days start earlier“, they maintain, in relation to a routine that they had already begun to experience since the arrival of the DT. Around 8 o’clock, the trainer is fully operational. If before training with the players he did it to review videos with his collaborators, with the squad at his disposal he takes the opportunity to finalize details related to the session that he will direct, to which he gives unknown glimpses of seriousness. For example, before the clash against the Guaraníes, referees came in to direct soccer practices. The players, surprised, approved the idea.
The review also includes the review of videos and the respective technical talk. For that purpose, The coach has the brand new conference room that was installed on the second floor of the building located inside the sports complexwhich underwent some movements to provide the players and the coaching staff with the greatest possible comfort for a moment of definitions that requires maximum tranquility.
It was in the middle of that work routine that Gareca, through the ANFP leadership, learned of a particular tribute: Stefan Kramer’s imitation of him. The coach approved the comedian’s interpretation and, mainly, his ability to notice his main gestures. He was also struck by the level of characterization. “He laughed,” they confided close to the DT.
During the game, the face doesn’t change much. He does take the time to distribute instructions, for which he takes advantage of specific moments. For example, after the first goal of Victor Davilacalled Erick Pulgar at the edge of the playing field to suggest some specific movements and an order for one of his teammates.. Then he grouped up with his collaborators, that never left the edge of the bank, another difference compared to other efforts. During the game, the ritual related to the staff was repeated a couple of times.
After Eduardo Vargas’ goal, which sealed the score, in the 53rd minute, The most noticeable expression of happiness from the technician was seen. Turboman’s return to La Roja has been one of his main successes, considering that the scorer was not going through a good time at Atlético Mineiro when the strategist decided to confirm his confidence in him, in the run-up to the European tour, in which he had already responded by scoring Albania. After that goal, the Tiger raised his fists in celebration. “I like to celebrate goals. Some, more effusively than others. It has nothing to do with who did it.“, he stated, ruling out that the gesture was confirmation of a personal success in considering him. “Eduardo is fine. This is what we were able to witness, that he is in a formidable state. Now, it’s the same,” he said after the duel.
The night ended with happiness and satisfaction, although without massive cheers for the coach. Of course, the fans recognize that they have regained their faith and are beginning to love his proposal.
