"HH was a phenomenon
Ferran Olivella, captain, recalls the figure of Helenio Herrera, who tomorrow will be the centenary of his birth
Olivella Ferran was born in Poble Sec, Barcelona working class neighborhood, the year the Civil War began (1936). For 13 seasons, between 1956 and 1969, played 513 games for Barca team he captained. Defender of the English team that won Euro 1964, Olivella also won two league titles (1958-59 and 1959-60) and a Glass to the orders of Helenio Herrera, who tomorrow will be the centenary of his birth. Olivella live in Castelldefels, retired after 30 years devoted to teaching in a school in Sant Cugat, and recalls that the current league keeps a close parallel with that in 1958-59, won the final by the club.
Question. Is 100 years of the birth of Helenio Herrera ...
Response. ... A phenomenon. But a phenomenon that you can not even imagine. A phenomenon. I was surprised to meet 100 years. I always thought more of what he said, but not both. Probably the best coach I've ever met, way ahead. Marked a before and after.
P. In what sense?
R. In all, at all. He had never been in Spain a trainer who knew everything that was the rival. Who finished off the kicks, which way forward out of Dodge ... To me, during the week, I was informed: "This is a 'billet' with their feet, the tops of first, this ..." All was fulfilled. Especially when we played in Europe. Look, one day in San Siro Ramallets told: "The Swede will shoot down the penalty for the left, not very strong, just jump on his right side." And Ramallets replied, "Man, we already see in the field." To which HH said, "Look, I have no problem. If you are not ready to play this game it is another. "He played, there was a penalty and the Swede threw it where Mr. said. Ramallets stopped him, of course.
P. No team of Barcelona received fewer goals than the one with Ramallets, Olivella, Rodri, Grace ...
R. True, no team has conceded fewer goals in a League of 30 matches. But we had a very good team, but it is true that HH asked us to renew the policy that all defenders, we were all home: "With these I win league," he said.
How P. defended three defenders against five forwards?
R. Because the two media caught the fly, side to the ends and center, the center forward. We did them the funnel, we gathered in front of the central lateral to attack by band. And the band did not make goals, so we controlled the game centers and interior.
P. Why HH lasted only two years at the club, from 1958 to 1960, but later returned to the club in the 1980-81 season when he won the Cup?
R. What dismissed. There suaristas, Kubala and blacksmiths. And finally, Suarez was Inter, began to HH and went with Luisito Suarez. Results: Inter won it all, also the European Cup. Even that was done. Helenio had resources for all, a great psychologist, very smart. People thought I was faced with Kubala and it was not true. Case that put him in home games and not playing in the opposite field because the approaches were different. Kubala HH and always respected.
P. So good was Kubala?
R. I've never seen a player with his technique. Di Stefano was more useful for the team, but the quality of Kubala did not have anyone.
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