Marcelo Trobbiani (Santa Fe, 1955) is one of the greatest in franjiverde history, key in the last franjiverde triumph against Madrid. 'Mandrake', now director of the inferiors of Barcelona of Ecuador, will follow this duel from Guayaquil. With AS he talks about that triumph and the Elche of the Argentines, which resembles the current one of Almirón and Bragarnik.
42 years have passed since Elche's last victory over Madrid. How do you remember it?
With longing. At that time, Elche was a great team. Between the 60s and 70s, Elche spent 16 seasons in the First Division. It was a highly respected club and Madrid was used to suffering at Altabix. That game was at the Nuevo Estadio, now Martínez Valero, and we were able to beat them well.
That Madrid was champion and Elche, descended. How do you explain?
It can not. Madrid came from seeing how Atlético had been champions the previous season and that year they were very strong with Miguel Ángel, Wolf, Isidro, Santillana, Juanito … Oh my God, Juanito! What a great player: rebellious, as I like them, a dribbler with a special charisma. Not just anyone plays at Madrid. But Elche was also good with Gómez Voglino, Montero, Félix, Gilberto, Boby Esteban … We played movies and we were a pineapple in the locker room.
That Elche reminds the current one, with six Argentines plus the coach, Roque Olsen. Was that family that close?
They called us the Elche of the South Americans. Besides the Argentines (Voglino, Finarolli, Cortés, Insaurralde, Orellana and Trobbiani), there was the Honduran Gilberto; the Paraguayans Benítez and Montero; and the Uruguayan Lorant. It wasn't a problem. The people of the house were wonderful: Casuco, Esteban, Campello, Félix, Antón … In Elche it was a tradition to bring players from South America. In the 1960s, the Armenian Arturo Bogossian did it with Esquitino. And a decade later, my great president Manuel Martínez Valero, with Roberto Dale.
What aroma does this Elche with an Argentine accent give off?
I like it. It is well worked. Almirón is a great coach and he is handling it great, despite the little time he has had and his budget being the lowest in Primera. I saw them against Osasuna, with a goal from my compatriot Carrillo, and I suffered that draw with them. Overcoming this first season, after the promotion, has a capital value.
What do you think of Bragarnik?
My son Pablo worked with him in the Defense and Justice first team, which he elevated to the elite. It was something historic in Argentina. He's a guy who knows what he's doing because he knows how to handle all the edges of football. I like it and I hope it succeeds. For his head he is surely only building an even bigger club. There is also my friend Coqui (Raffo), who is one of the best in the world directing in the inferiors.
They all share the pain of Maradona's goodbye …
Yes, what a great shame. I still feel pain. Diego was a unique character. It was the best. He was my friend, together we were champions in 1986, in Mexico. He was the leader of the National Team, he knew how to convey what our shirt should feel like. And, furthermore, let no one doubt it: he was a good person. He had problems, he got sick, but I remember him as someone who always threw a hand if necessary.
Finally, what do you forecast for this duel?
I want mine to win, for my grandchildren Giovanni and Martina who are there. For Elche to beat Real Madrid would be the best way to end a horrible year socially, but spectacularly sports.