Maradona, Simply Great (part two)
After this game Maradona played brilliantly against Hungary, the team that had literally destroyed Costa Rica 10 to 1. Argentina defeated Hungary by a comfortable 4 to 1 with Maradona not only scoring two goals but showing the form that had earned him so much praise. Costa Rica and an easy match would follow in which Argentina could afford to lean back in their win which came in the form of an unimpressive 2-0 victory which was enough to qualify them second in the group and in to the next round where they would play Italy and Brazil.
First match for Argentina in the second round was vs. Italy whom they were favorites to beat. In fact many people expected this group to be decided between Brazil, (impressive winners of their first three games) and Argentina with Italy not having much to say. This given the fact that Italy had not even managed a win in their first three games against Poland, Peru and Cameron and had only quailed due to having scored one more goal than Cameron and not even having a better ratio.
The game started with both teams tying up the mid field in what came to be pretty much a stalemate and Maradona being followed every where by Juventus’s Gentile; whose name in Italian means gentle. It was with foul after foul that Gentile would more or less neutralize Maradona as in reality there was no other way to stop him however regardless of which the referee did over look a few shoves against Maradona. Gentile however was booked with a yellow card though I have no doubt today it would have been a red but those were different days.
In the second half Italy went back on defense and let Argentina attack while Italy played the counter attack; trying to take advantage of the free spaces Argentina’s defenders Passarella and Tarantini were leaving behind. This a tactic that worked as Italy thanks to goals by Tardelli and Cabrini went up 2-0. Maradona then started struggling and even showing frustration that showed as he for the second time in the tournament on a free kick struck the post. Passarella however would pull one back but it would end in a 2-1 defeat for the champs or better yet as far as I was concerned a victory for Italy. Argentina in a group where being first meant going through to the semifinal while being 2nd or 3rd meant elimination had lost their first game, all of which making victory against Brazil imperative as a draw would serve as little consolation.
Brazil however contrary to Argentina had a team that was renewed after the 78 World Cup; them now being younger, more motivated and above all at the top of their game having won their first three games in which they scored 10 goals. This was what Argentina was up against with players who were past their prime like Galvan and Olguin, who even in their prime had not been that good and with a system of play that had become all too studied by opposing managers such as Bertoni’s diagonal attacks in to the box. As for Maradona, he might as well have been playing on another team as he was disconnected from his teammates; who had not really incorporated him in to their tactical system.
Despite these odds Maradona, did not play badly and even came close to getting a penalty and perhaps even should have after being tackled from behind by Junior; however a penalty was not given. Brazil however on this day was inspired and playing up to their full capabilities while Argentina like a team that had accepted that theirs would not be to win two titles back to back. Three would be the total of Brazil’s goals for the day while Maradona would be remembered for his foul that would earn him the only red card I ever saw him get.
After the World Cup in Spain a ton of criticism fell on Maradona, and not to defend him but to perhaps try to make some see that if one looks at his performance during that world cup in which Argentina lost 3 out 5 games, solely for his merits not those of his team. His playing was not so bad. Two goals, two times hitting the woodwork and fouled an enormous amount of times not only by Italy but every team he faced; perhaps with the soul exception of Brazil was what can also can be said about his time in Spain 82 yet some only mentioned how he had not lived up to expectations. Specially Pele, claiming Maradona was a spoilt child who had been over inflated by the media and that he could only fall on the field when touched. Naturally Pele never at a loss for words when putting down anybody specially great players of the day such as he once did with Zico; in the hope of keeping his name in the press specially since his playing days were long gone
Some even claiming that because of his so called “poor performance” in the world cup he might even loose out on his contract with Barcelona though this did not happen as in 1982 he was transferred over to the Catalan giants for about 5 million pounds, a record sum at the time. However his time in Barcelona proved not a good one but for many reasons which in all fairness were neither connected to him or his playing; one of them being a case of hepatitis and a broken leg, thanks to an Athletic Bilbao defender named Goikoetxea. Of course another reason perhaps might have been his relationship with Barcelona’s new coach Menotti; who Maradona had never seen eye to eye with specially after being excluded by him from the 78 World Cup team. In spite of this, Maradona did have his moments which included wining “La Liga”, “Spanish Super Cup” and “La Copa del Rey” in 83. La Copa del Rey coming against Real Madrid. All apart from the 34 goals he scored in two seasons with even many more assists.
Maradona however was not happy in Barcelona. On a personal note I can not see how any great player would be on a team that despite having had most of the note worthy players in history had not even managed to win the European cup (now a days referred to as the Champions League) even once. A transfer was made at the request of Maradona, which came at the end of the 83/84 sending him from “La Liga’s” Barcelona to Seria A’s “SSC Napoli” for another record sum of 6.9 million pounds.
I for my part will never forget a conversation I had while in Ecuador with Vito Munoz (one of the top local sports announcers in Guayaquil) who claimed in the presence of my Spanish brother-in-law as well as mine how Maradona had been cursed by first his greatness. First by having to play for Menotti; a trainer who got sentimental over his players to the point of not seeing them for what they were but what they had been. Second by having to play for a “bunch of clowns” like Barcelona (my brother-in-law being from Madrid and a Real fan did not object) to which I added and again by Menotti. Third by being forced to play for SSC Napoli; a team that was limited not only in the quality of their players but in the funds that might buy them, meaning Maradona would be a great player on a mediocre team.
In all this there was a glimmer of hope for Maradona and that was that he was on team which would adjust themselves to his style of play; something which neither Argentina or Barcelona had been willing to do. As for Argentina they were now being coached by Carlos Bilardo, who from the start build his national squad around Maradona. First by getting rid of those players who though useful in wining Argentina’s first title in 78 were now “over the hill” in what could be considered a purge. Passarella however was allowed to remain on the condition that he would accept that his captain’s ban would go over to Maradona, which he did with reluctance.
Eventually the world cup would return. To be played in Mexico and once again Maradona would be playing for Argentina but this time things were different. He would have a team designed to play around him with players who looked up to him unlike in 82 were he was put in to a team who had been playing for over 6 years as a unit. A team in which he simply was the odd man out. Second Maradona was now under the guidance of Bilardo; who in my opinion was simply a better coach than Menotti.
Argentina started the World Cup in the same group as Italy, Bulgaria and South Korea. South Korea was first and though the Koreans did play better than I would have originally given them credit for they were no real match for Argentina. The score showed more or less what transpired as Argentina won 3 to 1 with relative ease and comfort; while Maradona had basically a field day passing the ball off to his new teammates Valdano, Ruggeri and Burruchaga.
Where Argentina’s first game was of little concern to me his second game was not as now he was facing Italy, the nation of my ancestors. I however could see that Italy was rebuilding and were not going to be a factor in this world cup given the fact that many of those players who had been vital in winning the cup 4 years before were past their prime. It was basically a case of the next generation players; like Roberto Baggio being too young while players like Rossi simply being past his prime. This factor plus the fact that Italy had only managed a draw with Bulgaria told me not to expect too much from Italy however me always being an Italian supporter still cheered them on.
The game against Argentina however started well for Italy. Altobelli putting us in the lead through a well taken penalty (any penalty that scores is well taken) only to have Maradona, himself (this time not passing off) equalize after 34 minutes of play with a brilliantly struck ball after a well timed run. One to one was the score at half time and such would the game end with Bruno Conti cracking one off Argentina’s post in the second half which would have changed a lot had it gone in but such is football and life.
In Argentina’s next match they would go to clinch qualification in to the next round and first place by defeating Bulgaria 2-0 in a game that saw little entertainment other than a few nice plays by Maradona. In this group it was Italy and Bulgaria who managed to qualify to the next round along with Argentina. As a footnote I might add that I believe Bulgaria set a record in that world cup; for being the team to play the most world cups (5) and matches (16) without wining a single game.
Next for Argentina was Uruguay; a team that was back in the world cup for the first time since 74 and had beaten Argentina in the final of the first world cup played in Uruguay in 1930. This match saw Maradona, take his level of play higher and though he did not score he really showed a lot by hitting the cross bar on a free kick, passing the ball to an open Burruchaga who really should have scored and even having a goal disallowed. This goal disallowed however contrary to what many believe; was not because of a hand ball by Maradona but a foul he committed when he pulled the jersey of a Uruguayan player after having passed the ball. As for the score it would end with a 1-0 victory for Argentina on a goal scored by Pasculli.
Next for Argentina was England, a team that had started slowly loosing one zero to Portugal after which they would go on to draw 0-0 against Morocco before getting in to the form that saw them soundly defeat both Poland and Paraguay by 3-0 each. Having scored 5 out of their 6 goals it was Gary Lineker, who was considered their biggest threat. Of course, hanging over this match there was still the issue of Argentina’s elimination from the world cup in 1966 and the Malvinas (a.k.a. The Falklands) as they were called in Argentina.
The game started with tight marking on both sides that would dominate the first half as well as a yellow card for Fenwick for a really clumsy tackle on Maradona. The second half however witnessed Maradona break the dead lock with a goal that would be labeled by the Argentine press as the “hand of God” and not Maradona, himself. Maradona started on what had become one of his trade mark runs from the left side of England’s defense and as he entered the box he passed it off. His pass however was intercepted by Terry Butcher who in attempt to clear the ball sent it back, in between a charging Mardona and a Peter Shilton desperate to get to the ball. Maradona jumped for the ball with clear intensions of fisting it in which is precisely what he did before Shilton could get to the ball. It was a goal, the referee saw “no hand ball” and despite English protests the goal stood. Many will say Maradona cheated and this even he admitted many years later that he did but if we look at the run (perhaps on youtube) he made we can see some really nice dribbling, literally going through defenders but however some were not so appreciative of this goal. Peter Shilton; one of the best goal keepers I have ever seen in his farewell match from football requested Maradona not play because of this goal.
Only three minutes would pass before Argentina would score their second goal for the day and again it would be Maradona and what a goal it was! I for my part will not attempt to say anything about this second goal by Maradona on that day as I do not believe I can say anything that has not been already other than what impressed me the most about it. Maradona had gone past two or three English defenders and was about to enter the box where he encountered, the last defender. Fenwick; who tried to apply the rule that has been installed in the mind of every player who defends. This rule being “the player or the ball but never shall both get past”. This meaning if one can not stop the ball then stop the player by what ever foul available. Fenwick tried and those who see it in slow motion will see how he tried to both trip and hold Maradona by his Jersey; only have Maradona do what to me seemed the impossible. Maradona doing three things in one motion; first he jumped over Fenwick’s out stretched leg, second he with his left hand removed Fenwick’s arm of his shirt and third and most importantly he kept control of the ball while going through. After which he would go around Shilton (who really should not have bought that faint) and score one for the record.
Another thing that is note worthy about this goal which I have never heard mentioned is that; this run by Maradona did not really come on a counter attack as many such runs do. For instance Owens’s against Argentina in 98; where England’s counter caught Argentina’s defenders out position in what became basically a race to the goal. Contrary to that one, England had had time to settle back in their defensive positions after having lost the ball and were generally waiting for Maradona; most likely to pass off to Valdano.
England being a footballing nation with tradition and a bitter rival of Argentina would not give up so easily; specially having Gary Lineker on their team and after bringing on Barnes and Waddle. England went forward and got one back via a Gary Lineker header but it would not be enough as 2 to 1 is how it would end. In that game Maradona would go on to perform another gem of a play and though no goal came as a result it is still worth a second look. He got the ball in midfield and by almost jumping on the ball went by two English players and in a one two passed the ball back to Tapia who hit the post. England however was not far from getting a second when another Gary Lineker header almost found the mark. Gary Lineker, I might add finished the world cup as top goal scorer with 6 goals in 5 games and none of them being penalties and his career without ever getting as much as a yellow card.
Argentina were now in the semifinal; two games from taking it all, for the second time in the last 3 world cups while much to my disappoint Italy had lost all chances of repeating as champions as France had seen to it that they would not. The semifinal would pit Argentina against Belgium; the team that had beaten them four years ago but this was a completely different team as the only ones who remained from that defeat were Maradona and Passarella. This being the case though the later would not be playing due to an injury sustained in the 1st match against Korea.
The first half saw Argentina dominate but not score and Maradona play amazingly well in spite of having veteran Belgium defender, Gerets and others literally follow him all over the field. As for Maradona; he in a play that sticks out in my memory from this first half hit the crossbar off a free kick for the fourth time in two world cups, making me believe in jest that may be he practiced the frustrating art of hitting the post. Not surprisingly the rebound was picked up by Valdano who scored though had it was disallowed for a clear hand ball; as perhaps it is only Maradona who could get away with it.
The second half would be more of the same Maradona; going at the Belgium defense until he finally scored. A filtering pass through Belgium’s defense would find Maradona, who on the run managed to flick the ball over Pfaff (goalkeeper) and in to the net for Argentina’s first. Maradona however was not finished and on a second run would score Argentina’s second and the one that would make it almost impossible for Belgium to come back. This second goal was in my opinion at least just as spectacular as the one he had scored against England as on that occasion; he instead of moving forward moved both diagonally and forward while going in between at least 4 Belgium defenders before beating Pfaff for the second time that day.
Belgium in all honesty had their chances and perhaps might have scored one or even two on that day but the truth is that Maradona was just too overwhelming, even to the point of having Jean Marie Pfaff congratulate him after the game in an exhibition of gallantry. Belgium like England had played well defensively but against a great player on a great day there is little that could be done, and who knows what might have been if that ball had not hit the crossbar but gone in? Or if Valdano had not send in to the crowds that pass Maradona gave with an almost empty goal?
In football most people only remember plays that ended in goals but if ever there was a great play it was the one that preceded Valdano’s miss. Maradona had a long pass given to him on the right and some how managed to get to it before it went out of bounds and then with an opposing player coming up on him in an attempt to sweep him. Maradona, literary jumped over him like a hurdle while passing the ball around him and catching it on the other side. After this Maradona went down the flank going past another defender till he was almost at the goal line which prompted Pfaff to come off his line; only to have Maradona pass the ball of to Valdano; who by all accounts should have made it 3 for Argentina.
The final came and who but Germany should meet Argentina in the final. Germany however was not the favorite to win despite having made it to (this one included) 3 out of the last 4 finals however they are never easy to beat. This Bilardo, knew full well as he also was aware that on that day Germany would have Maradona covered to the point where he would be limited to doing very little if anything at all; which was the case. Beckenbaur (Germany’s head coach at the time) had Matthaus follow Maradona just about every where on the field along with other players used to assist in the marking Maradona.
Argentina however in spite of Maradona being so closely marked went up 2-0; being that other players were given more freedom such as Brown and Valdano, who got on the score board. Germany however are known for not giving up and coming back as they had done so many times in their history and that day would not be the exception. First it would be Rummingge, to pull one back, as he did against France four years before. His effort would be followed by Rudi Voeller in getting the equalizer. At that point it was clear that the momentum had shifted over to Germany and I must admit that I thought they could win. As for myself personally I can not claim to have been pulling for them or not; as to me only Italy counts.
Germany kept on attacking and it was then that Maradona showed a quality which to be honest I never knew him to have; of a leader. True he had been an outstanding player though at times erratic in his form but till that day he had never been what I would call a leader on the field and it was then while not being on his best form and with team now facing the threat of Germany going up 3 to 2 that he stepped up and delivered a great pass to Burruchaga. It was a ball filtered through the German defense to Burruchaga; who was left one on one with Schumacher and made no mistake when putting the ball in to the net for Argentina’s third and winner.
Argentina was world champion for the second time in three world cups and now Maradona was no longer being hailed as arguably the greatest player of his day but of all time. He had won the world cup and was on top of the football world along with his country but there was more to it than that as far as I could see. Maradona was great; this my mind held little room for doubt but what was great about him? This is question I was able to understand for myself if for no one else.
Football for the most part up until I saw Maradona play in that world cup had come down to a few things which I have already mentioned in this article however Maradona went beyond these elementary things. For Maradona’s greatness was not limited to being able to be at the right place at right time or being able to hit the ball just right at any given moment or make a move or two that would free himself just enough to get off that shot but something that went beyond that. Maradona had the ability to do everything and then some and that some being controlling a ball like no one ever had. He would actually go through players with skill alone, where so many options did he have at his disposal to pass a player that it was the defender, how ever many there might be were bound to get passed or have to resort to committing a foul. This being the case and the only way to stop Maradona as it could be said that his body was ideal for the sport he practiced much like Jordan’s was for basketball. Maradona, stood at 168 cm and was stocky, perhaps such features would not have lend themselves to making him a great basketball player but for football they proved to be ideal as his low center of gravity made it difficult to knock off the ball when he had it plus his short legs made him very fast in short sprints.
It was after the 86 world cup that I spent the whole summer that followed Argentina’s win thinking if anybody ever had been that good and I could not think of anybody who had. Beckenbaur was serene and kept his cool organizing his team but was never brilliant though he did do the simple things well like bringing the ball up field and managing to make a pass but other this he had never come close to doing what Maradana had done in that world cup. Pele, was great in his time, scoring over a thousand goals but his time was one when the average game ended with a score of 5-3 and just about anybody could score as teams played with 5 forwards going up against 2 defenders. Also Pele played at time when a good ball controller was one would could bounce the ball on his knees and head and do it many times where in Maradona’s time this was something just about anybody could do.
Maradona had dominated Mexico 86 like nobody ever had in a world cup much like he had done in the Youth World Cup of 79 but those had not been the top professionals but youths, now it he had done the same to the great players of the day. I remember thinking back then that he should not have been allowed to play in such a tournament given he had already played with an adult national team but what could be done now. Should another league be created for him after what he had shown in Mexico 86?
His statistics had been good but in all reality five goals (one which even should have been disallowed) and five assists was not really all that impressive. Specially when considering for instance that Muller had scored 10 goals in 6 games in the world cup in 70, Fontaine 13 goals (in 6 games) in the world cup in 54 and Kocsis 11 goals (in 5 games) in the world cup in 54 but with Maradona it went beyond numbers. I do not always agree with Cossell but I would have to when it comes to statistics not always reveling the whole story. So many great plays that did not always lead to a goal though perhaps should have will not be written down in the books but never forgotten by those who saw them. Maradona had five assists and who knows how many he would have had, had he had Batistuta instead of Valdano; who was a fair player but nothing exceptional. With regards to his other teammates; in all truth none of them were all that great as their careers in their respective clubs would show, so it can not be really said that he was surrounded by great players. Pele, for instance having Garrincha, Santos, Didi and Vava in 58 and later in 70 Jairzinho, Tostao, Carlos Alberto and Rivelino. It can not even be claimed that Argentina like Italy in the previous world cup won thanks to having a well balanced team. This had not been the case but of Maradona simply winning for them, as if handing them the title.
After that world cup up until the world cup in 1990, Maradona was considered the best in the game, by far! Him going on to lead SSC Napoli in winning the Scudeto for the first time in their history in 1987 and again in 1990. It was during his time in SSC Napoli that he also led them to victory in the “Copa Italia” in 1987, Italian Super Cup in 1990 and above all the UEFA cup in 1989, while for himself he was top goal scorer of the Serie A in 1988.
As for “Italia 90″, this would end in disappointment for Argentina who would go on to loss the final 1-0 to Germany; in a game that will be mostly remembered for being possibly the worst played final in the history of the world cup. Maradona however got Argentina to the final despite not playing his best football and playing in a world cup that was mostly limited to very defensive play. As for Maradona in what was Italia 90, he again got away with another hand ball against the Soviet Union that prevented them from scoring. Maradona however in this world cup that saw very little of brilliant play will also be remembered for a run through four Brazilian players after which he despite being pulled down by the last one managed to get off a perfect pass with his right foot (something rare for him) to Caniggia. It was this player who scored the goal that would give Argentina a 1-0 victory. As for scoring in Italia 90; this Maradona did not do though he would put in a fine performance unfortunately for me against Italy in Napoli which would see my dreams of seeing Italy win the title at home end. Maradona converted his penalty kick and Serena missed from the same penalty spot. It was perhaps even a difficult situation for most Italian fans in Napoli because on the one hand Italy was playing and on the other hand so was the only man who had ever managed to give their loved Napoli any kind of title. This making it hard for them to decide for whom to cheer for which perhaps might have led to less support for Italy then they normally would have gotten at home.
Maradona after having problems with cocaine and being suspended for a year and half would come back to play in the World Cup USA 94. This after helping Argentina qualify with a goal in his country’s 1-0 qualifying victory over Australia in Buenos Aires after having drawn at 0 in Melbourne. USA 94 however would only see Maradona play two games in which he scored one against Greece in what would be an Argentine 4-0 rout, after which he would provide two almost perfect passes to set up goals against Nigeria; whom Argentina would beat 2 to 1. At that moment it seemed much to my fear that Maradona and Argentina were back in form. Fortunately however this would not be as Maradona, after the game against Nigeria was suspended from the world cup for using a banned substance.
After USA 94, Maradona was nearing the end of his career which saw him play several more years in Argentina till his retirement in 98 and perhaps again Maradona was loved as he was ending his career and even those like myself who had always seen him as an enemy now looked back and realized what a great one we had been privileged with. Of course, the younger generations may watch him on youtube but I was fortunate enough to see him play live. This being the case though I would have been happier if he had played for Italy in the same way that Camoranesi (Camoranesi also being born in Argentina but obtained Italian citizenship due to being of Italian descent) does today.
About the Author
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society” which is now available on Amazon.
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