‘Magician’ Sabella working magic at WC

When Alejandro Sabella was handed the task of reviving Argentina’s fortunes after a poor campaign at the 2011 Copa America, not everyone in his homeland was convinced he was the right man. ‘I don’t know why they chose him. I don’t know what his project is,’ said the country’s legendary 1978 World Cup-winning coach Cesar Menotti. Three years later, and Sabella’s appointment is starting to look like a stroke of genius by his bosses at the Argentina FA as they prepare for their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. Under Sabella, nicknamed El Mago (‘the magician’) during his playing days, Argentina have developed into a formidable side that is again punching its weight. They may have won all their matches by just one goal margins but they have shown a mental strength that was singularly lacking four years ago under the unpredictable Diego Maradona. Unlike some of his predecessors Sabella has not hesitated to tailor his team in order to make the most of Lionel Messi’s talents. The results have been spectacular, with Messi for the first time consistently producing his sparkling Barcelona form in Argentina’s famous colours, with four goals alone at the finals. ‘He finds solutions when we think there aren’t any,’ Sabella commented after the 1-0 win over Belgium in Saturday’s quarterfinal.