© EuroFootball.com
President of Rosario's "Newell's Old Boys" team Guillermo Lorente has recently become a frequent visitor to the Catalan capital.
An Argentine who does not hide his sympathies for the "Barcelona" club, Lorente specifically traveled through the Atlantic to be able to watch the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Camp Nou stadium where Gerardo "Tata" Martino won his first trophy with his new team.
During this visit, the "Newell's Old Boys" leader was interviewed by journalists from the newspaper "El Mundo Deportivo."
- What happened that you have visited Barcelona for the second time in such a short period?
- There are two Rosario legends in this club. Gerardo Martino has already become a legend of "Newell's Old Boys," both as a player and as a coach. He has already won his first trophy with "Barcelona." The best football player on the planet, who was born in Rosario, also plays here. I am grateful to the leaders of "Barcelona" for inviting me to visit.
- Did you speak with Sandro Rosell?
- Yes, we talked to him about possible collaboration. It's possible, but a lot of formalities need to be arranged, many of which are completely unrelated to sports. It's all about marketing. If we try, then plans can become reality.
- What did "Tata" Martino tell you about his first days in Barcelona?
- He is very happy. G. Martino has always been able to adapt easily to a new environment. I saw that the team welcomed him very warmly and sincerely. The fans also seem to be satisfied with him. I believe the team is also easily getting used to him.
- Do you think the coach was very surprised by the fact that all the responsibility for failures at Barcelona falls on the coach?
- Definitely not. "Tata" always sacrifices himself for the club where he works. In fact, he turned down a very tempting offer to become the coach of the Colombian national team and chose "Newell's Old Boys." In the first season, the team came in second, the next one - became the champion of the Argentine championship. He outdid even the eternal rivals of our club.
- Do you think G. Martino is doomed to success?
- I have no doubt about that. He has already won his first trophies and I think that after a couple of years he could become a favorite at Camp Nou, a kind of icon.
- Describe him in one word.
- I'd better describe him in two words: great specialist.
- Talk about "Newell's Old Boys" goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman. As far as is known, information about him, at the coach's request, has already been collected by Andoni Zubizarreta.
- He is the best of those I have seen. This goalkeeper had to overcome a lot of difficulties until he became what he is now. He is physically well-built, has good coordination, plays well in the "second line," and with his feet.
- Do you really think that one day he could guard the Barcelona goal?
- Yes, I have no doubt about that. He is one of those who are ready to die on the field.
- His contract expires next year. Do you think he will agree to sign a new contract?
- I think so. He is not only the main goalkeeper of the team but also a fan of "Newell's Old Boys." I hope that "Tata" Martino and A. Zubizarreta will not interfere with us (laughs).
- But N. Guzman himself said that he dreams of playing for Barcelona...
- If Barcelona knocks on the door with an offer, we will not be able to refuse it.
- Another player who is believed to be watched by Barcelona is Santiago Vergini. He moved to "Estudiantes."
- His contract expired, and he did not want to extend it. Santiago is a great center-back.
- L. Messi has said that he would like to end his professional career at "Newell's Old Boys" club. Sounds tempting?
- We also dream about it, and it doesn't matter who will be the club's president at that time.
