On 10-18-1959, Granada achieved its only victory at Atlético’s home ground. No less than 63 years have passed since that feat where the great protagonist was Luis Martínez, a Madrilenian from Embajadores that was forged in the historic Ferroviaria. Our protagonist has that dream debut very fresh in his memory. “That is not forgotten. We had played six games and Kalmar (Hungarian coach who also managed Malaga successfully) asked me if I dared to debut in my land. I said: Of course! Why not? Then he told me: Drop by the club I signed, made my debut and the flute sounded. We won 0-2“.
An unforgettable day with a starring role for Don Luis. “It was a ball from Arsenio that deflected the post. It came to me from the right side of the goalkeeper and I had to push it. The second time was for the better. A ball I received, I don’t know if it was from Arsenio or Benavides. It was just on the right. Griffa , who was marking Carranza, came for me. I didn’t stop her. As it came, I hit her. Carranza was left alone with the goalkeeper. If I stop her, he goes up to the stands. Griffa was a tough central defender and that’s why I caught him coming out for me”.
A game with a lot of history. “The key was a penalty that Griffa missed. It came out round. It was a triumph of merit against a great Atlético. Madynabeitia, Calleja, Griffa, Jones, Adelardo, Peiró. Necklace… Older people remind me of it. Now you don’t see the players anywhere. They are very focused.”
His also beloved Ferroviaria recently honored him in Granada along with José Mingorance, a great centre-back who also played for both teams. “It was very nice for us. It’s been 65 since we left there. A lifetime. We were surprised because we thought that the Ferroviaria had disappeared.” Luckily, this team has been reborn and presumes to be the fourth oldest in Madrid only behind Real Madrid , Atlético and Carabanchel. La Ferroviaria was on the Paseo de las Delicias and my father took me to watch the games.”
Martínez praises that Granada. “He had a good team. What happens is that they were veterans. There was Candi, the goalkeeper (Cándido Gómez who was later president for four stages), Méndez, Pellejero, Forneris, Juanito Vázquez, Carranza, Arsenio, Chico Ramírez, Benavides who played at Espanyol…you had to get young people in. I made my debut and the following Sunday I made my debut Mingorance against Barcelona, with 0-0 in Los Cármenes”.
Arsenio Iglesias was a fast winger. He came from Sevilla with Lore and Ramonet in exchange for Chato Navarro. The previous year he had been runner-up in the Cup against a great Barcelona. Now he has changed football a lot”. And he explains it. “Now there is more force or aggressiveness. Before, they played more and looked for one against one. Now it is very difficult. Before receiving the ball they grab you by the neck.”
Luis Martínez, with the Ferroviaria shirt during a tribute a few days ago in Granada.
ADF
He is not enthusiastic about the modern. “I follow him but I don’t go to the pitch because I’m bored. The right-back, when his striker comes, throws it at the centre-back; the centre-back, when his striker comes, throws it at the left…and so on. There comes a time when they hit it. They don’t go down for balls to raise them.Football has changed in such a way that now it is very strong. They have some gyms that we didn’t have. Our thing was to go around the field two or three times and do exercises and that’s it”.
And about Granada. “El Levante, who won 1-4. I see it badly, without morale or joy. Unemployed. I don’t know. Very bad. It would be magnificent if they could beat Atlético. But you have to fight and score and not all go to the same play. Because there are times when three or four go for one, and what about the others? They catch you on the counterattack and score goals. The thing is not lost. But it is very complicated.”
That 1959-60 season, Real Madrid went to Los Cármenes to play for the League, led by Barcelona. “Jaaja. There has always been. With eight minutes to go we won 3-2 and lost 3-4. It was a shame. We lost a game 5-4 in Barcelona and they canceled a goal and a penalty. Before you scored three against Madrid and you I scored six.”
Of the current Granada there is a footballer that he likes above the others. “Luis Milla. He is proving it, the midfielder. His father played for Barcelona and Real Madrid. He is the only one who goes down to the defense for balls to raise them. Montoro, too. And the Venezuelan Machís. The good thing he had was the goalkeeper (Rui Silva) and went to Betis”. Luis Martínez was an interior that went up and down in his area. “Not like now, when you get four midfielders.”
And finally, a forecast for this match. “I would like Granada to win because, for life, I am more from Granada than from Madrid. But looking at it seriously, I don’t see a possibility”.