Bielsa indulges in nostalgia before facing Argentina (12 Oct 2007 13:11 GMT)
Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa indulged in some nostalgia as he prepared to face his native Argentina in a World Cup qualifier.
Saturday's game in Buenos Aires will mark Bielsa's competitive debut for Chile and pits him against the side he coached from 1998 to 2004.
The famously introverted and reclusive Bielsa, who usually keeps his feelings to himself and resents attempts to dig into his private life, agreed it would be a special occasion.
"I have always felt proud to have coached my country's national team," he told reporters. "I've have taken many memories from that stage of my life and one begins to forget the most painful moments as they become more distant while the moments of happiness remain in sight."
"That being the case, returning to the River Plate stadium in a different situation is a little ambivalent, but these matters are part of football."
"I have great respect for the Argentine public and much gratitude for the players which it came upon me to coach."
Under Bielsa, Argentina produced consistently good performances but his tenure was marred by their astonishing first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup.
Although Chile have never beaten Argentina in a World Cup qualifier, Bielsa said they were going for victory.
"I've never been in a situation where I've coached a team and gone into a game without the perspective and the hope of being able to win. This game is no exception," he said.
"I have great hopes that it can go well for us. We will adapt to the characteristics and the quantity of attackers which our opponents present and we will attack covering the flanks of the pitch and the central part, usually with three forwards and three players accompanying the latter."
source : Guardian Unlimited