Didí and his troubled stint in Spain

Discussion in 'Players & Legends' started by Once, Aug 10, 2014.

  1. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    This topic came up in another thread. Didí's La Liga stint is often referred to as a flop or a failure. To put it shortly some say it was because he did not adapt to a different style faster and more physical than that played in Brazil, and some say Di Stéfano basically turned the thumb down on him (my impression is that those supporting the second idea usually or always hold Di Stefano did that not due to legitimate reasons, but due to jealousy and ego).
    Since some Spanish publication have digital archives available I figured it could be interesting to see how Didí's time in Madrid was reported by the local press at the time. What I am going to do is follow Didí's steps in Mundo Deportivo and add here and there the comments from other sources when they provide something different and/or worth sharing. I hope I have it in me to follow though with it and not lose interest midway to the end... :unsure:
     
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  2. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    #2 JamesBH11, Aug 10, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2014
    yes to all Argentina or people who DID NOT KNOW history, Didi failed to adapt ... but the truth was not

    It was not only Didi, but Kopa before, and Agne Simonsson later (than Didi) were also pushed out of their comfort zone by Great Di Stefano.

    Remember I put out Di Stefano's "HOSTILE Welcome" to Didi in his first time at Bernabeu
    " I heard you are my successor, but you're too old and you're not good enough"

    Ironically, Di Stefano has yet played with nor practiced with Didi at that instance. HE was JEALOUS!
    Ironically, immediately after the first few training and warm up games , Barnabeu fans DIVIDED by half to support Didi (from Di Stefano)


    Now the question is:
    1- do we blame on Di Stefano for that? NO - it was his style and personality, and supported by the coach.

    2- But if we are to blame on Didi ?(or Simonsson's failure to adaptation) It'd be even WORSE than LIE.
     
  3. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    Didí arrived to Madrid from Brazil on August 6 1959, in the same plane also travelled Real Madrid's newly signed coach Manuel Fleitas Solich. The latter was Paraguayan, but Mundo Deportivo called him Brazilian... The interest/possibility of Real Madrid signing Julinho in the future is brought up.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/06/pagina-4/641012/pdf.html#

    Mundo Deportivo "presents" the new aquisitions of Real Madrid:
    They are Pantaleón, Pachín, Vidal, Pepillo and Didí. Given the characteristics of these five players some of them can be considered both defenders and mids at the same time like Pachín, mids and forwards at the same time like Vidal who is so prone to go forward aided by his stamina and strong shot, or forwards placed in the mid-line in the center of the field in that area it has been called "comfortable zone". Such is the case of the phenomenal Didí.

    Then they talk about the potential future lineup to end it like this: "The problem which will not be easy to solve is the possibility that Di Stéfano might not want to or be unable to accept to play as the most advanced man together with his big buddy the Galloping Major (Puskas) at the wait of whatever Didí or Santiesteban may send up there. Which would not be too little, of course!"

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/08/pagina-4/641024/pdf.html#
     
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  4. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    #4 Once, Aug 10, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2014
    August 21, 1959

    Canário is getting signed by Real Madrid. He comes from the Rio de Janeiro side América. ABC publishes a brief interview with him, this is the interesting part:

    - What was you status in Brazilian football at the time of your departure?
    There and there... I was a sub for Garrincha in the NT. I was a starter in occassions. Have been capped 10 times. There and there...
    - It being so, how were you not part of the WC winning side in 1958?
    Back then Garrincha and Joel were in better form. And I, despite the fact I had been capped before, stayed home.
    - Of the Brazilian side that won the WC, what player do you prefer?
    No doubt about it, Pelé. He is a great player. Besides, he scores a lot of goals. He is the most complete.
    - Better than Didí?
    There and there... My new teammate is different. He is a playmaker. But also a great player. There and there...
    - Have you ever played alongside Didí?
    Yes, in the NT in 1957.
    - Will you and him match up well?
    Surely. Would be hard not to. As I already told you he is a great playmaker. He works for the whole team.

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/08/21/040.html

    August 23, 1959

    Real Madrid starts its training sessions and Mundo Deportivo writes:

    - An unusually high number of fans attended the sessions.
    - It was the presentation of Canário and he was liked if going by the positive reaction of the viewers, who were gave ovations to the rest of the squad as well during the sessino and specially during certain plays put together by a forward line composed of Canário, Didí, Di Stéfano, Puskas and Gento.
    - The audience was so enthusiastic Fleitas Solich had to calm them down to conduct the training properly.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/23/pagina-2/641097/pdf.html#
     
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  5. msioux75

    msioux75 Member+

    Jan 8, 2006
    Lima, Peru
    This is a great idea. I will copy this image posted by James for a Real Madrid line-up in some match in the 1959-60 season.
    This show well how usually Real Madrid played those years, a WM variant, with the Deep-Lying-Centreforward, a "new tactic" show to the world by the Aranycsapat (Magycal Magyars) at mid-50s. So, we could see a 3-2-1-4 formation. I mean, a back three in defense, two halves and one playmaker, and four forwards upfront. The twin spearhead in this graphic was formed by a goalscoring inside forward and an orthodox inside forward.

    [​IMG]

    Looking back to the previous season 1958-59, this was the usual line-up (league had 30 rounds):

    ------------------------ Juan Alonso (25)

    Marquitos (21) ------- Santamaría (24) ------- Lesmes II (24)

    ----------- Santisteban (29) ----------- Zárraga (22)

    --------------------------- Di Stefano (28)

    Kopa (30) ----- Rial (20) ----- Puskas (24) ----- Gento (21)


    Bench: Domínguez (5) - Miche (14) - Ruiz (11) - "Chus" Herrera (19)
    http://www.bdfutbol.com/es/t/t1958-592.html
     
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  6. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    August 24, 1959

    Real Madrid is about to face Milan. Mundo Deportivo talks about it in an article that includes a photo of Di Stéfano and Didí running side by side. Under the picture reads:
    "Didí and Di Stéfano jog together. Who will run more? And in what areas of the pitch? That is the question in the mind of the fans aware of the fact that the Brazilian plays... where the Argentine was playing the last few years".

    "Given the fact the game is played in Spain and the positive feelings after the training sessions Real Madrid has to be seen as favorite over Milan being superior to them on paper too with that millionaire forward line. Didí, Di Stéfano, Puskas... what a central trio! And then a left winger not in vane deemed the fastest and most efficient in Europe, Gento. And the fifth in attack... Canário! Another great player".

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/24/pagina-3/1373574/pdf.html#
     
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  7. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    August 26, 1959

    Real Madrid inaugurates the season with a friendly against a Dutch side (Dutch Cup champion) called Fortuna which features no other than Faas Wilkes. Real Madrid wins 8-3. It was the debut for Didí, Vidal and Canário. Di Stéfano played a great game scoring six of the goals. Gento, Puskas, Santamaría and Santisteban also had a good game.

    "A debut match is not enough to properly judge his worth, but positive conclusions about his future performance can be drawn. Didí strolled around the pitch. He did nothing notable. Not in the passing, not in the shooting, not in the dribbling and not in the control of the ball. But he did show ability in all of it. He passes the ball with mettle, he is constantly shooting for goal, though last night with poor aiming, and dribbles well, though perhaps too much. He seemed slow and eager to conduct the game though the middle neglecting his winger who constantly demanded him to pass the ball. All these things do not mean he would be lacking class of intuition, for he has plenty of both".

    "Of the new signings Pepillo stood out. He came out in the second half to replace Didí and the world champion improved its game notoriously. He gave the Madridistas quickness and joy".

    "The first half of the game was slow, heavy and indesicive. Didí and the absurd desire to drive through the center did little to move the score".

    "The second half was a different match. The game opened up through the wings. Canario and Didí were replaced by Pepillo and Herrera and the side gained speed. As a result six goals were scored, four of them by Di Stéfano (had scored the two during the first half too)".

    Lineup: Dominguez (Barasaluce); Marquitos, Santamaría, Casado (Lesmes); Santisteban (Vidal), Zárraga (Ruiz); Canario (Herrera), Didí (Pepillo), Di Stéfano, Puskas, Gento.

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/08/26/031.html
     
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  8. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    August 30, 1959

    Real Madrid beats Milan 6-3

    Mundo Deportivo has abundant praise for Di Stéfano and his scoring of the first four Madridista goals in impressive fashion (also scored the last) and clearly deems him the best player of the game. Only mentions Didí as the scorer of the remaining goal and in the lineup, which was:
    Dominguez; Marquitos, Santamaría, Lesmes; Vidal, Zárraga; Canario, Didí, Di Stéfano, Puskas, Gento.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/30/pagina-3/641502/pdf.html#

    Very different is what ABC publishes spreading the praise a bit:

    "Real Madrid had a trio of aces. Three pieces that stood above all other in the machine (thats what it had called the functioning of the team in all its lines, particularly the forward line): Didí, Di Stéfano and Gento. Didí, fully successful in the role until now occupied by the Madridista CF (Di Stéfano), served balls uncountable times, battled without truce or tire and still had it in him to cut rival play plenty and well. High and low, he assisted his forwards always with precision. It can be said his job was complete and unbeatable. After him, Alfredo Di Stéfano. Five goals to his credit. All of them notable ones, all of them after individual actions. That alone was enough. But no. In addition he created abundantly, moving to the sides when needed and serving Gento and Canario with long passes for the run. Fast as an arrow, like a "saeta" he eluded almost everytime the men out there with the mission of neutralizing him. There in the Ramón de Carranza stadium he left his performance. Lets see what CF can do better than that. Without reaching the heights of Di Stéfano and Didí, Gento also rose high, fast, unstoppable..."

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/08/30/061.html
     
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  9. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    O Cruzeiro - 12 de setembro de 1959.
    Didi no reino dos milionários

    Texto de DANIEL CAMIROAGA Fotos de ROGELIO LEAL
    Madrid - Agôsto (Via Panair do Brasil)


    [​IMG]
    Hoje, em Madrid, mesmo as pessoas mais distantes do futebol falam de um nome e por êle esqueceram todos os que, no campeonato passado, foram os ídolos da torcida. Êsse nome é Didi que, juntando-se a Puskas e Di Stefano, é o mairo refôrço da equipe milionária do Real Madrid para o próximo campeonato da Liga Espanhola. Outros craques, por certo, hão de manter aqui seus nomes no cartaz, mas a grande notícia da atualidade é mesmo Didi, que, sem ter sido visto em campo ainda pela maioria dos torcedores espanhóis, chega do Rio de Janeiro trazendo fama que nunca um jogador trouxe consigo. Lança-se na Espanha uma pergunta no ar e no ar ela se sustém:

    - Como jogará Didi?

    Para chegarmos a Didi, procuramos primeiro o treinador Fleitas Solich e, como o estádio do Real Madrid estivesse sob calor muito forte, marcamos com o paraguaio uma conversa em seu hotel.

    - Que nos diz sôbre seu trabalho no Brasil?

    - Creio que nada lhe vou dizer - responde Don Fleitas -, porque antes de sair do Rio, sua Revista, "O Cruzeiro", fêz sobre mim uma extensa reportagem. Então contei minha vida de desportista, contei tudo. Que posso dizer agora?

    - Já que não quer falar de você, fale-me de Didi.

    - Dêsse, sim, posso falar. Didi está conceituado como um dos melhores atacantes do mundo. Assim o consideram não só em seu país, mas na América inteira e até na Europa.

    - Acredita numa rivalidade entre Didi e Di Stefano?

    - Por parte dêles, não. O temível é que o próprio público os faça rivais, sem que eles queiram ser. Não se pode esquecer que ambos são profissionais e conhecem bem seus papéis.

    ...


    We come to your home and see that Didi was lucky to get a beautiful, happy and well furnished residence.At the door is his daughter, Rebekah. And then begins the interview:

    - You are certain to cost the $ 80,000 Real?

    Didi does not understand, strip his pocket a newspaper clipping that he reads slowly, and then confirms:

    - Then it's all right.

    - Here the press says you are a great player, but will play only two seasons as well. What do you say that?

    - The contrary. I'm 30, but 30 years of very careful life. Do not drink or smoke and have home life since I got married at 51 I take care of my nature in a scientific way, following all medical orders. With that - and being in Europe - I am sure to get 35 years in top form. And I warn you that I will leave football, not football to me. It's very different to play in America, where at times endured temperatures of 50 degrees in the sun and which had no vacation or some rest.

    http://www.memoriaviva.com.br/ocruzeiro/12091959/120959_4.htm
     
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  10. msioux75

    msioux75 Member+

    Jan 8, 2006
    Lima, Peru
    Previously to the 1959-60 season, in world football Brazil left a trademark with his new 4-2-4 formation, also with their stars being called for a transfer overseas.

    At defense, Real Madrid seems to had played more years with its three-back line and its two halves line. Arguably a light back-four.
    In attack, it seems clear that its tactic with one playmaker and a four forward upfront proved to be successfull. And also a similar attacking display as the best NT at that time, Brazil, with his playmaker (Didi, the attacking minded mid, being Zito the defensive minded mid) and its four forward line upfront.

    So, i guess that Didi's signed could be because some reasons:
    - Being the most successfull club at that time, gave to Real the "need" (as Florentino's policy nowadays) to sign the arguably best player at that time (Didi arguably was at WC 58 and CA 59). In other threads was debated.
    - They though that Di Stefano being a veteran player, must decreased his physical production and wish to restricted him to offensive work. So, the playmaking role would be perfect for Didi, since Kopa returned to France.
    - Arguably a low form of Rial, could contribute to a change in players not in tactics as said before.


    To avoid, some rude quotes, i put ARGUABLY, to remark that Didi was among the elite players worldwide at late 50s. Performing greatly in the major tournaments played by Brazil.
     
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  11. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    Didi: The Ethiopian Prince
    ....


    [​IMG]

    ...

    By the late 1950s Real Madrid had already captured a collection of the world’s finest players. Di Stefano, Puskas, Santamaria and Kopa had all been recruited by Santiago Bernabeu to his personal project. No wonder then that in 1959 Didi joined them in Spain. It was to be the greatest mistake of his career.

    For in Madrid there was one undisputed master: Di Stefano. Ferenc Puskas had fitted into the team by altering his game, converting from a creative inside-left into an out and out striker. Raymond Kopa too had moved from a central playmaking role onto the right wing. How then could Didi, the ultimate midfield maestro, fit into a team with the original total-footballer?


    Puskas would later suggest that the real reason that Didi had failed in Spain was that he had put on the weight the Hungarian had lost, but in truth it was always going to be a hard task to accommodate two incredible playmakers in one team. After a brief spell on loan in Valencia, Didi opted to return to Botafogo. While often looked on as an unmitigated failure, Didi’s time at Madrid was not without its high points. He scored six times in 19 games, a respectable return for an essentially creative player.
     
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  12. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    and more from their own version ... (thanks to Google translate.but one can read original in Spanish below link)

    Fate just avoiding a clash of Di Stéfano, naturalized Spanish with Didi, his disaffection at Real Madrid team that hired Brazilian Charged in 1959 to boycott the Brazilian star (voted best player of the 58 Cup), the Argentine, then owner of the highest salary ever paid to a player in the world, justified the bad phase in the Brazilian Spanish team, has told the press in Spain:

    -
    Didi played admirably, but lost seven or eight balls for less skilled and less bright, but fast players. Not harmed, but he hurt me. He came to play behind me, but before his slow, I had to retreat to arm for the Puskas played.

    Years later, in an interview with Globo, Didi gave his version:

    -
    Di Stéfano became jealous, because he would have divided the space with me. In the first weeks, he barely greeted me. In the games, he avoided me go with many balls. However, over time, we began to talk.




    Leia mais sobre esse assunto em http://acervo.oglobo.globo.com/fato...nha-dos-anos-40-aos-60-13181570#ixzz3A3eCk1F5
    © 2014.
     
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  13. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    I dont think anybody can have doubts about that...
     
  14. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord

    I don't know whether this is entirely correct. I have a book from 1961 about Real Madrid, and it is clear that Del Sol was described as the lungs of the team. True, he was a good footballer (arguably at his prime one of the three best Spanish players around), he scored 17 league goals (0PK) in his first season (1960-61), but Del Sol was bought in 1960 for his work-rate and range really. The range is also emphasized on their website.
    http://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-...res-de-leyenda-futbol/luis-del-sol-cascajares
     
  15. comme

    comme Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 21, 2003
    That's from my piece on Didi for Headers and Volleys. I thought it was particularly good when I read it. ;)
     
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  16. msioux75

    msioux75 Member+

    Jan 8, 2006
    Lima, Peru
    #16 msioux75, Aug 11, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2014
    I have the idea that Del Sol in his first years at Real Madrid was like a young Luisito Suarez in Barcelona, mainly an Inside Forward.

    But more than Del Sol career, i tried to emphasized the tactic used by Real Madrid in its golden era, in this case, the last years coincided with the first ones of Del Sol, but this is secondary to my point.

    Replace Del Sol with the usual starter in the Golden Era, Rial or another IF and the idea remains the same, a withdrawn CF alongside two IFs (one of them a goalscoring type)

    So, with the addition of Didi, it was expected an overlapping of areas of the pitch and roles with Di Stefano. My thought is that the system in attack was expected remains similar: a playmaker (now the #8) and a twin spearhead (now #10 + #9). So it that scenario a more restricted role played by Di Stefano.

    Maybe the first reports quoted by Once, will support or deny my initial though.
     
  17. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    August 31, 1959

    Real Madrid has beaten Barcelona (4-3) and won the Carranza trophy.
    Mundo Deportivo writes the following:

    Barcelon and Madrid not yet ready.
    "Real Madrid was the lesser team all things considered. Mostly dominated and with its defense as weakness. Dominguez at goal was correct, lucky but correct. Ruiz and Zárraga played a good game, particularly the first. Having said that, we did not like the Madridista attack one bit. The celebrated Canario and Didí formed the right wing and did not convince us at all; the strong point was Di Stéfano directing the line and Puskas with Gento in a very dangerous wing but almost completely stopped by the roughness and rather acceptable positioning of the Barsa defenders. Barcelona did not convince us and neither did Real Madrid despite all their new crop of (South) American talents. We insist on this, neither Canario nor Didí gave the impression they would be of exceptional class".

    Lineup: Dominguez; Pachín, Santamaría, Lesmes; Ruiz, Zárraga; Canario, Didí, Di Stéfano, Puskas, Gento.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/08/31/pagina-3/641506/pdf.html#

    Reporting the same game ABC publishes:

    "Barcelona was better during the first half most likely due to the superiority of the Catalan mids Segarra and Gensana who owned the zone. Segarra, who was on the right like he was on the left as well showing briskness and faculties obstaculized the job of Didí and prevented the Brazilian to rise as the driver of the team as he had been against the Italians. Meanwhile, Rodri glued himself to Di Stéfano in a close and tenacious marking job".

    "It was key for Barcelona to avoid a performance like he had agaisnt Milan from Didí, constantly feeding the attack with precise passes. That is why Helenio Herrera gave Segarra the task of closing up Didí and because of this Di Stéfano was less involved in the game and because of that the Madridista attack was less lively".

    "I have witnessed these days in Cadiz how Real Madrid has developed a strategy that has its pillars in Gento, Di Stéfano and Didí. Gento is used to have to rival defenses worried with his speed and efficiency (to put a paragraph in two words). Battling in the middle Didí rids Di Stéfano of a lot of work as he no longer is forced to serve and supply to attack as he used to do before as a punta de lanza, a position Kopa used to like so much. Without the need to go up and down "La Saeta Rubia" is a great danger always aiming at the heart of the rival. If no antidote to neutralize this strategy is found it should be very fruitful for Madrid. The benefit of having three exceptional players".

    "Gento was the most outstanding for Madrid, with a fantastic second half, followed by Di Stéfano. Inferior but still notable were Canario, Didí and Ruiz, the last was relentless in battle.

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/09/01/030.html
    (started in the previous page)
     
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  18. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    Real Madrid plays a friendly with Seeler's Hamburg in Germany, wins 2-3 with goals by Di Stéfano and Gento (2). Nothing said about Didí. Seeler scored both German goals.
    Real Madrid plays a friendly with Fiorentina. Dominates but loses 2-1. Ref was permisive and the Italians took advantage of it and played rough. Both Didí and Di Stéfano were virtually blocked.
     
  19. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    Thanks and it's a good piece. of info from you .. even short though ...
     
  20. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    By early 1959, Real brought in Didi. Kopa resigned with Real to go back to Reims (he saw no more interest in playing out of his preferred position to Di Stefano, and worse that another Superstar coming in )

    DelSol (or Rial) was an Inside Forward (#8) - but he was just a versatile attacker, not a "play maker type" like Di Stefano, Didi, Puskas or Kopa ...

    Del Sol was bought in 1960 (7 months after Didi) in order to replace Didi (the issue between the two Di's was getting bigger) On the other hand, Agne Simonsson deal was also went well ...

    ===================================
    BAck Ground of Real Formation:

    Originally, Di Stefano was bought in as a "center forward" - true #9 in 1953 ...
    At times, they did not have any idea of using a "play maker" in their classic 2 3 5 - but eventually, Di Stefano took the initiative doing so (thanks to his time with Pedernera and Moreno in SA)

    from 59-64, Real played more like WM (3 2 2 3 ) or sometimes 3 2 4 1 to adapt to Di Stefano and Puskas role in harmony. At this time, Puskas was more of a forward ... with much less interface in MF
     
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  21. msioux75

    msioux75 Member+

    Jan 8, 2006
    Lima, Peru
    Agreed for the most part.


    The major disagree is that every spanish side (including the NT) stop to used the 2-3-5 formation at the 40s.

    So, when Di Stefano was signed for Real Madrid at mid 50s, the spanish had many years using the classic WM formation (lining-up a proper centreback). That can be checked in WC'50 formation and clubs line-ups.

    In the postwar years, all european sides used the WM, with the main exception of Ocwirk's Austria.
     
  22. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    September 14, 1959

    First league game, Real Madrid beats Betis 7-1.

    Mundo Deportivo publishes:
    - First half was boring, with confusion in Real Madrid and lack of "going for it" in Betis. The draw in 1 of the first 45 minutes was unfair to the visitors (Betis) and a gift to the hosts.

    "Artificers of the victory were Vidal and Didí as orchestrators, Canario and Gento as troops and Puskas as finisher. All of them shining in the second half, Canario also in the first though. Together with Canario, Martinez and Santamaría were notable in both halfs".

    - Luis Del Sol received repeated ovations as if he was another merengue (he was still a Betis player at this point).

    "All in all a so-so game in which it was visible in Real Madrid the presence of an extraordinary player, Canario, and the absence of another more exceptional one, Di Stéfano.

    Lineup: Dominguez; Marquitos, Santamaría, Zárraga; Vidal, Ruiz; Canario, Didí, Pepillo, Puskas, Gento.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/09/14/pagina-4/1384530/pdf.html#

    ABC publishes one day later:

    "During the entire first half Real Madrid lacked order. The magic baton of Di Stéfano was missing. Didí could not catch the rhythym to necessary to ensamble the team from his creative position. The team was broken in two with the disappearance of it mid line given the new 4-2-4 adopted by new coach Fleitas Solich. Betis took advantage of this and imposed a sober type of football around Del Sol. The orchestra-man of the Andalucian side was where he had always been: the mid zone as both launch platform and containment wall. Fast, tough, skillful and smart Del Sol closed all roads for Didí while also opened up tracks for his mates".

    - Fleitas Solich moved things around in the front four for the second half. Puskas was the most advanced man and Gento became the inside left, with Pepillo in the wing. This gave Real Madrid more quickness.

    "Didí continued to be too slow, way too sure that he could prepare/keep the ball as mush as he wanted - something he will soon realise he cannot do in La Liga - and was not very efficient as a passer".

    "Didí was slow but did showcase his touch, positional sense and finesse for passing the ball".

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/09/15/052.html
    (started in the previous page)
     
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  23. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    September 16, 1959

    After the first game of the season ABC publishes:

    "The greatest victory of the Brazilian Canario is that he made everybody forget about Kopa. (Raymond is doing great in France, blah blah..) We are happy for him. As much or happier we are about this discovery named Canario, brave, hard working and determined. Good for you, kid... The fans are with you! With Didí it will take a bit longer. The class of the world champ is undisputable. He still has to catch up with the pace of the whites and become used to the hurricane-like winds of our fields (whatever is meant by that...). The battle is unavoidable and one has to get into it, like his fellow countryman Canario did. Or the veteran Puskas, full of decision, runs and enthusiasm. The fans have their reservations about Pepillo as well".

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/09/16/058.html
     
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  24. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    September 17, 1959

    Real Madrid played a freindly against Sampdoria in Italy. Won 4-0.

    "Marvelous performance of the Spanish side" says Mundo Deportivo. Mentions Didí as author of the fourth goal. Lineup: Dominguez; Lope, Marquitos, Lesmes; Santisteban, Santamaría; Canario, Didí, Di Stéfano, Puskas, Gento

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/09/17/pagina-3/635648/pdf.html#

    ABC says "The champion (Real Madrid) played a continuous and overwhelming offensive game"
    Says that five minutes before the end of the game Didí scored from a free kick which he executed with mastery. This goal was very celebrated by teh audience which gave Didí much applause.

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/09/17/041.html
     
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  25. Once

    Once Member+

    Apr 16, 2011
    September 21, 1959

    Second league game, Real Madrid loses to Valencia in Mestalla two goals to one.

    Mundo Deportivo publishes:
    (The pitch was a dissaster as massive rain had been pouring and the field was flooded making it really hard to play)
    "Valencia outdid the European champion based on speed and sense of anticipation"
    The whole Real Madrid played without grit. The Valencia defenders and mids dealt with anything thrown at them by the famous merengue forward line, which changed a lot during the game without managing to improve their performance (like in the second half they went out like this: Didí-Puskas-Di Stéfano-Gento-Canario... but then Canario returned to his original position). Di Stéfano, as always, was the director and had in Puskas his main collaborator and in Gento the most dangerous threat. But it was never anything more than just attempts.
    If Real Madrid did not disappoint, at the very least they were not convincing. The entire team played with unusual coldness. Santisteban actually performed as a defender along with Marquitos, Lesmes and Santamaría while Ruiz and Didí in reality formed the mid line. Among the forwards, Di Stefano as usual has been in charge and even when Didí has seemingly replaced him in the role of link between the mids and the forwards it has to be said that when it got tough it was Di Stéfano who dropped to give a hand, even into his own defense, while Didí positioned himself up front along with Puskas and Gento. Canario and Didí the weakest components of the team.

    http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1959/09/21/pagina-4/1384540/pdf.html#

    ABC has it like this:

    "An injured Canario and a very weak Didí brought down the great effort of Real Madrid"
    "Canario useless, Didí almost (useless)"
    "Dominguez was good in goal well assisted in defense by Santamaría, the mids battled it out and the forwards were irregular with only Di Stéfano, Puskas and Gento showing sparks of their class. Canario and Didí very marked, the first also injured, they barely had something to offer".

    http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1959/09/22/053.html
     
    S1na, comme and msioux75 repped this.

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