The 70’s and 80’s were glorious times for Independiente. They won title after title.
They lifted 3 Metropolitanos (70, 71, 83), 2 Nacional titles (77, 78), one AFA tournament (88/89), 5 Copa Libertadores- 4 consecutively- (72, 73, 74, 75, 84), 3 Copa Interamericana (between South American champions and ConCaCaf champions) (73, 74, 76) and the Intercontinetal Cup twice (1973 against Juventus, and 1984 against Liverpool)
The base of their team in the 70’s was the incredible duo of Bochini and Bertoni. Their triple 1-2 in 73 to score the 1-0 against Juve is one of the jewels of football’s history.
In fact it is up to today that Independiente holds the overall 4th position in the most successful teams in international tournaments (AC Milan and Boca have won 18 international cups each, Barcelona 17, Independiente 16 and Real Madrid 15)
In the mid 70’s when the team was growing a little old, the club brought in a new generation of players that will later become legends of the club.
Amongst them an amazing centre back, called Hugo Villaverde.
They have got him and his central defence partner, Enzo Trossero (another of the club’s future legends) from Colon de Santa Fe.
They complemented each other very well. Trossero was a no nonsense, old fashion defender, whose approach was “player or ball, can go pass me, but never both of them”
Villaverde always played the sweeper role, slightly behind his team mate, almost guaranteeing that whoever ran at him has already been severely unsettle by the rough treatment received before.
This made him look like the clean guy who won every ball and saved the team from certain danger.
Also Trossero loved moving forward, pushing his team towards the opposition’s end, a danger in the air, and his free kicks were legendary for their power and precision.
Nobody wanted to be in the wall, when it was within his range.
His offensive mind is such that in 534 games he has scored 89 times.
In contrast Villaverde played more games than his partner, and finished his career without scoring a single goal.
Trossero and Villaverde have been voted the best centre backs in Independiente’s history.
In the beginning of the 80’s Independiente were playing Argentinos Juniors.
The two were very offensive teams, with players that can change games in a second.
It was all Independiente for most of the game, and when Trossero was up mixing up with the strikers at a corner kick, Argentinos began a quick counterattack that left Villaverde on his own against three players.
He waited, and waited and waited, and when he finally made his move, was straight to the player carrying the ball.
Only this time, uncharacteristically, he launched his foot right to his opponent’s thigh.
One of those fouls that you know will stop the game, and let your teammates regroup. That was probably his only option to save them from a sure goal.
Such was the force of his foul that he apologised to the player that was still in the ground and left the pitch, before being shown the red card.
The referee, needed to make sure he did show the red card, so he rushed to the dressing room, where he did exactly that.
Nobody doubted that his sending off was deserved, and obviously neither did the player as he had left the field disgusted with himself before the official could act.
The papers and radios started the following day the usual campaigns against violence and demanded that the Disciplinary committee made an example of Villaverde and send the clear message that that sort of behaviour was not allowed.
Three days later when the player was called to give his version of the incidents, he entered the AFA building without making any comments and left 5 minutes later with the same attitude.
When the punishments for that round were given to the press for circulation, Villaverde’s red card had been rescinded and therefore there was no suspension.
Hugo, had explained to the panel, that he was sorry, but he had not seen his rival because a few seconds earlier his contact lenses had fallen. And when he made contact, he realised he could not play like that, so he ran to the dressing room to get a replacement. However the referee caught up with him and sent him off.
He said, he had no idea how bad the foul was, because he could not see anything without his lenses.
His sending off was rescinded, and he was free to play. Argentinos did not appeal, so the case was closed.
From that day onwards the Independiente fans nicknamed Villaverde “Magoo” (in reference to the cartoon character Mr Magoo who is blind or visually impaired)
Funny thing football is. Only after he retired, Villaverde let us all know that his eyesight was perfect, and he never wore contact lenses.
They lifted 3 Metropolitanos (70, 71, 83), 2 Nacional titles (77, 78), one AFA tournament (88/89), 5 Copa Libertadores- 4 consecutively- (72, 73, 74, 75, 84), 3 Copa Interamericana (between South American champions and ConCaCaf champions) (73, 74, 76) and the Intercontinetal Cup twice (1973 against Juventus, and 1984 against Liverpool)
The base of their team in the 70’s was the incredible duo of Bochini and Bertoni. Their triple 1-2 in 73 to score the 1-0 against Juve is one of the jewels of football’s history.
In fact it is up to today that Independiente holds the overall 4th position in the most successful teams in international tournaments (AC Milan and Boca have won 18 international cups each, Barcelona 17, Independiente 16 and Real Madrid 15)
In the mid 70’s when the team was growing a little old, the club brought in a new generation of players that will later become legends of the club.
Amongst them an amazing centre back, called Hugo Villaverde.
They have got him and his central defence partner, Enzo Trossero (another of the club’s future legends) from Colon de Santa Fe.
They complemented each other very well. Trossero was a no nonsense, old fashion defender, whose approach was “player or ball, can go pass me, but never both of them”
Villaverde always played the sweeper role, slightly behind his team mate, almost guaranteeing that whoever ran at him has already been severely unsettle by the rough treatment received before.
This made him look like the clean guy who won every ball and saved the team from certain danger.
Also Trossero loved moving forward, pushing his team towards the opposition’s end, a danger in the air, and his free kicks were legendary for their power and precision.
Nobody wanted to be in the wall, when it was within his range.
His offensive mind is such that in 534 games he has scored 89 times.
In contrast Villaverde played more games than his partner, and finished his career without scoring a single goal.
Trossero and Villaverde have been voted the best centre backs in Independiente’s history.
In the beginning of the 80’s Independiente were playing Argentinos Juniors.
The two were very offensive teams, with players that can change games in a second.
It was all Independiente for most of the game, and when Trossero was up mixing up with the strikers at a corner kick, Argentinos began a quick counterattack that left Villaverde on his own against three players.
He waited, and waited and waited, and when he finally made his move, was straight to the player carrying the ball.
Only this time, uncharacteristically, he launched his foot right to his opponent’s thigh.
One of those fouls that you know will stop the game, and let your teammates regroup. That was probably his only option to save them from a sure goal.
Such was the force of his foul that he apologised to the player that was still in the ground and left the pitch, before being shown the red card.
The referee, needed to make sure he did show the red card, so he rushed to the dressing room, where he did exactly that.
Nobody doubted that his sending off was deserved, and obviously neither did the player as he had left the field disgusted with himself before the official could act.
The papers and radios started the following day the usual campaigns against violence and demanded that the Disciplinary committee made an example of Villaverde and send the clear message that that sort of behaviour was not allowed.
Three days later when the player was called to give his version of the incidents, he entered the AFA building without making any comments and left 5 minutes later with the same attitude.
When the punishments for that round were given to the press for circulation, Villaverde’s red card had been rescinded and therefore there was no suspension.
Hugo, had explained to the panel, that he was sorry, but he had not seen his rival because a few seconds earlier his contact lenses had fallen. And when he made contact, he realised he could not play like that, so he ran to the dressing room to get a replacement. However the referee caught up with him and sent him off.
He said, he had no idea how bad the foul was, because he could not see anything without his lenses.
His sending off was rescinded, and he was free to play. Argentinos did not appeal, so the case was closed.
From that day onwards the Independiente fans nicknamed Villaverde “Magoo” (in reference to the cartoon character Mr Magoo who is blind or visually impaired)
Funny thing football is. Only after he retired, Villaverde let us all know that his eyesight was perfect, and he never wore contact lenses.