The brain of Belgium is inspired by Johan Cruyff

"Japan has arguments to hurt us," warned Roberto Martnez, a Belgian technician, facing Rostov who is fighting today to settle in fourth position

"Bob "learned the respect of the cradle. Son of a coach, born in Balaguer was fanaticized by football. I learned the profession of midfielder, but the league in Spanish football was denied (played in Zaragoza B). He did not give up and went to try his luck in the English promotion clubs, turning into a scam of Wigan, club that he then directed (including Jean Beauséjour).

"In year 95 we went with" Bob "(Martnez nickname) and Isidro (Daz) in England and we were considered adventurers, but we ended up being pioneers to open this market. "Bob" as a player already had the character of a technician and learned how to handle the .ms suits, but now they are artists and you have to know how to take these egos.More to know Tactical, the secret is group management, and "Bob" makes it perfect, "says Russia's Jess Seba, a coach's friend and collaborator in The Belgian Staff

Martnez gained prestige by leading Swansea in the championship, giving the team a Latin flair. "I've been a pioneer of competition in England," he added, saying his team was going 200 badists per game to 600. "It was not easy because it meant almost a cultural change, and not throwing the ball to Keeper's long stay, he showed that with this philosophy you can win and that people can have fun, "Seba adds.

Jordi Gomez, former director of Martnez at Swansea and Wigan, confirms the style. "Roberto has always been a follower of the philosophy of Johan Cruyff, he works in possession, he plays in big, much of the idea of ​​Barça, and today in Belgium he has this kind of player and of district ", the details of the Bulgarian striker

Catalan is also finished with the consumption of beers in English schools. "Yes, I've changed several habits that are good, but do not forbid anything, I knew how to do it, otherwise, the team is against you, always just with the management of the groups," says Gomez .

With a reputation for work ("He's really the first to arrive and the last to leave"), Martnez spends hours in his office, where he hangs a photo of the crack of the "Orange Mechanic". He knows that the Belgian team is a Ferrari and his intervention does not admit mistakes. "The tactics must adapt to the players, I always try to protect the individual talent above all," he said before the World Cup, the challenge that can enthrone the adventurer born to lead.

& # 39; & # 39; Cruyff marc all our generation. & # 39; Bob & # 39; has its influence, but later it matured its own label, because each model is different. He did not always play the same thing. "JESS SEBA, badistant of the Belgian technician

" In difficult and good times, he always keeps his cool and calm, he does not let negative and positive emotions affect your job. "JORDI GOMEZ, former Wigan player