Gustavo Alfaro: The mastermind behind a fearless Paraguay ready to challenge France

The smile of someone who has achieved something extraordinary is sometimes the same as that of someone who has done something simple. In a football world where there is less and less room for human feelings, Alfaro stands out as a genuine man, known for his calmness and principles.

Unfazed during the penalty shootout between Paraguay and Germany, despite his players missing two big penalties, he celebrated qualification with composure.

What could be described as a Carlo Ancelotti from Argentina, he once again demonstrated unique calmness. Qualities that are the complete opposite of those of his players, to whom he immediately asked to recover the Garra Guarani, the fundamental concept of Paraguayan football.

Since the team's quality is not at the level of South America's giants, they had to rely on tenacity.

And it was thanks to that tenacity that the sixth-placed team from CONMEBOL at the World Cup eliminated the EURO 2024 semifinalists. In fact, his journey with the national team began with a draw away to a red-hot Uruguay and continued with a win over Brazil.

The impressive initial run of nine unbeaten matches (5 wins and 4 draws) allowed them to regain their lost solidity. Now, they will face France in the Round of 16.

Paraguayan DNA

"Aristotle said it: hope is the dream of a waking man."

Every time he speaks, Alfaro uses quotes that leave a lasting impression. From philosophy to music. From cinema to reflections by figures from various sports. In an interview we conducted with him in 2022, before the World Cup where he would coach Ecuador, he conveyed his calmness in every statement and thought.

And this innate tranquillity reaches deep into his players. Those who know him well say that for him, nothing is impossible, and that as soon as he arrived on the Paraguay bench, "he shook the tree to clear away the cobwebs and make it bear fruit again, instead of rotting."

Thanks to his intervention, the lapacho, the strong Paraguayan tree, has once again stood tall and strong, showing off its beautiful lilac flowers.

And the results have been clear to see. Despite a squad not exactly overflowing with talent, the effectiveness of the Guaraní has been overwhelming at this World Cup. They reached the round of 16 after a 4-1 defeat to the USA, a narrow 1-0 win over Turkey - playing the second half with 10 men - and a 0-0 draw against Australia.

Against Germany, the team went up a level. Solid at the back and incisive up front, with Julio Enciso capping off a brilliant season at Strasbourg with a striker's goal.

Pragmatic father figure

"Lechuga," as Alfaro has been called in his homeland since he was six years old because of his thick hair, has walked a long and quiet path, alternating between great moments.

Retiring as a player at 30 to immediately become a coach, he quickly built a strong rapport with all his players. Many of them see him as a father figure, someone who goes beyond tactical concepts, and who, in his long rhetorical excursions, tries to convince his audience that "anything is possible." Always with a smile.

The likes of Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Mac Allister recognised his role as a family father during his time as coach of Boca Juniors. The same has been seen with several members of Paraguay during and after the win over Germany.

His embrace at the end of the match with Tony Sanabria, who had missed a potential qualifying penalty, highlights his deep humanity.

His pragmatism once allowed him to win an Argentine championship with Arsenal Sarandí, the first in the history of the Avellaneda club. Today, having secured his place among the elite of South American coaches, especially as a national team manager, he has written a new chapter in Paraguay's history with his calmness.

Now, he will have to go beyond history itself and aim for legend. The challenge against a seemingly unbeatable France is one of those impossible tasks. But it’s a pity that Gustavo doesn’t understand 'impossible'.