The day that César Menotti wearing a Central shirt faced Bilardo and they both scored goals
The world of football was left in mourning this Sunday, with the news of the death of César Menotti. And of course, one of the most important places in Flaco’s life was Rosario Central, which has already paid tribute to him on social networks and will do so in the run-up to the clash with Mineiro, even though there will be no fans.
Of course, the antagonism with Carlos Salvador Bilardo in football thinking was always a matter of opinion and in these hours many situations involving them were reissued. And the one recounted below is the first match that faced them, Menotti with the shirt of his beloved Central and Narigón with that of San Lorenzo.
The first time that César Menotti and Carlos Bilardo met on a field was in the reserve that Central and San Lorenzo played in Buenos Aires in 1960. And with the particularity that that afternoon, they scored a goal each! A fact unknown to most. The curious event happened on the first date of the 1960 tournament, on April 3 at the Old Gasometer. The first ended 0-0, with San Lorenzo winning the ’59 title for the first time.
Flaco and the Doctor met for the first time on a soccer field without knowing what the future would bring them. That both were going to become world champions with the national team and that they were going to be the owners of the biggest gap in Argentine soccer in terms of soccer tastes.
Menotti and Bilardo are from 1938. César is younger, since he did it in Rosario on October 22 (although the date that appears on his ID is 11/5); while Carlos in Buenos Aires on March 16.
The world champion coach in Argentina 1978 had not yet made his debut in Central’s first team, since he did so on July 31, 1960, against Boca in Rosario, a match that the scoundrels won 3 to 1.
While the coach who lifted the World Cup in Mexico 1986, had played three games in the San Lorenzo first division in the 1958 Sweden Cup, but had not yet made his debut in the League tournament.
According to the chronicles of the time, many people went to the sports venue located on La Plata Avenue between Inclán and Las Casas streets, in the Almagro neighborhood (in an area currently comprised by Boedo), because San Lorenzo had won the 1959 championship. , led by José “Nene” Sanfilippo, and debuted the title against Central.
The truth is that first Menotti at 8′ for Arroyito’s team and then Bilardo at 18′ for the Blaugranas, scored the first two goals in reserve that Sunday, in a match that Central was going to end up winning 3 to 2 (the others two goals for the visitors were scored by Alejo Medina) with one player less throughout the second half as Oscar Ochoa was sent off at 44′.
The Central reserve formed with Edgardo Andrada; Francisco Lombardi and Omar Sanitá; “Bolita” Villalba, Armando Rossi and Oscar Anselmo Ramos; Adhemar Armida, Alberto Bazán, César Menotti, Alejo Medina and Oscar Ochoa.
The publication of the Diario Crónica called Flaco as Minotti, instead of Menotti.
