«Suarez, a master. We ran away from the retreat, he gave us two slaps and took us back to the room »-Corriere.it

The world of football mourns the death of Luisito Suarez. The Spanish talent, who played for Deportivo la Coruña, España Industrial, Barcelona, ​​Inter Milan and Sampdoria, has died after a short illness at the age of 88. “Luis was a teacher for us youngsters,” recalled Sandro Mazzola, 8 years his junior, who played for the Nerazzurri with him from 1961 to 1970. Together they won – among other things – three championships (1963, 1965 and 1966), two European Cups (1964 and 1965) and two Intercontinental Cups (1964 and 1965).

You looked at him with admiration.
“Yes, really. I remember when I started training, I watched him because I wanted to imitate him. He never did anything wrong, he did everything right. Without ever losing concentration.”

You all shared many victories with him.
“Luis was a great friend to me. He was our teacher, our master. Indeed, as a professor. He was also a commander when he wanted ».

For example?
“When we young people went out at night, secretly, he would come looking for us. He always found us, gave us two slaps and took us back to the room.’

Has it happened many times?
«During the retreats Helenio Herrera, the Magician, put us to bed early. When midnight or one o’clock came, we’d get up and walk out the window. Not from the door because Helenio Herrera was watching it. But beyond these anecdotes, Luisito taught us how to behave in life».

The Wizard moved him in front of the defense: Suarez was revolutionary in his way of playing.
“He was fantastic in that position. Luisito was the mind of the team, the brain of the group. He threw millimeters, perfect recoveries and defended the ball in a sumptuous way. Basically, bluntly, he did everything right ».

And did he also scold you when you made a mistake on the pitch?
«Yes, he was a phenomenon in that too.
He always taught us everything. At the interval she explained the mistakes not to be made to those who had perhaps done something wrong. He also gave me a lot of advice. He was great in everything he did ».

As a coach he won an Under 21 European Championship with Spain by beating Italy on penalties. But even as a manager he performed well.
“Well, he discovered Zamorano and Recoba and I mean everything.”