Regarding 1978WC favourites and expectations, by 1977 World Soccer writer/correspondent Keir Radnedge did not expect that Netherlands would proceed very far (the name of the writer is on the previous page, which is about UEFA seeding). Indeed, while Netherlands was making internal troubles, other key national teams made tours throughout South America, playing against the best national teams - in order to acclimatize and gain insight. This was the win against Belgium he is referring to, by the way.
https://twitter.com/ScotsFootyCards/status/463757561682878464/photo/1 Shoot magazine verdict after 1st group stage (some 'biased' calls, to say the least).
@PDG1978 Eventually I decided to bump the thread because I came across an interesting and typical answer when Cruijff himself was questioned by Brazilian journalists (or correspondents of Brazil) on the day before the 'de facto' semi final. They noticed that he didn't look completely fit (a red nose, pale face) and ofc tried to provoke him by linking it to the infamous swimming pool incident. "I caught influenza, caught one's death of a cold. This was at Sunday the case too [vs GDR]. It is not from nightly bathing. It runs away badly with me though, because I receive from dr. Kessel weak medicines. There is something stronger indeed, but then you'll meet great risks at the doping control." I saw it in a book: And it is also in the newspaper archives: http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010619680:mpeg21:a0266 By the way, I read in a magazine called 'the Blizzard' this paragraph: Fewer people know/memorize that French NT manager Hidalgo was subjected to a contemplated kidnapping attempt on 23 May 1978. Initially people thought about left-wing extremists (objecting a participation at the 1978WC as well as playing directly against Argentina in the group stage), but as with so many kidnapping attempts and terror acts in that era it is blurred, contested and trapped territory. As football journalist Auclair wrote for the same magazine (issue fourteen): "The identity of the culprits remains a mystery to this day." Note that this terrifying incident took place two weeks after Italian prime minister Aldo Moro was kidnapped and shot dead (9 May 1978). Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler http://www.theguardian.com/football/worldcup2006blog/2006/jun/21/hollandaccordingtoargentina http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/fussball-historie-jubel-in-hoerweite-der-folterkammern-1.218882 I've now been caught off course I notice but I wanted to show you that answer mainly (hence information). Cheers.
Yes, that's interesting and I'd assume he's being completely open rather than playing himself down to gain advantage I would think. Personally, I still feel Cruyff played by normal standards a very good game taking the whole performance into account but yeah that'd certainly be a factor in him being less active and involved as compared to before overall (I guess he'd try to or need to save his energy a bit more).
1. Cruyff vs Bulgaria 74 2. Pele vs Chech Rep 70 3. Maradona vs Belgium 86 4. Garrincha vs England 62 5. Zidane vs Brazil 98