Few sensations in the life of Daniel Passarella will be as strange as walking into the visitors dressing room on Sunday.
The Monumental de Nuņez stadium in Buenos Aires was his stage, where he captained his country to victory in the 1978 World Cup.
With both River Plate and Argentina, the Monumental was where he shone as one of the most complete centre backs of all time - hard whenever necessary, creative whenever possible.
The end of his playing career was merely the start of a new cycle in his relationship with the famous stadium.
He returned to its touchline to coach both River Plate and Argentina.
Groomed
Indeed, the current Argentinian side bears his stamp; he groomed many of them from promising youngsters into top class international footballers. They lead South America's World Cup qualification by 4 points, and some of the credit for their success must be given to Passarella.
But on Sunday the creator comes to confront his creation. Now coach of Uruguay, Passarella's presence adds extra spice - as if any were needed - to the World Cup qualifying clash between South America's oldest rivals.
Passarella was a hugely controversial choice to coach the fallen giants of world football. It was an indication of Uruguay's desperation that they were prepared to stomach an icon of Argentina in charge of their national team.
But the way in which Passarella has gone about his job has quietened many potential critics. Clearly relishing the challenge of restoring the football prestige of this tiny nation, he has placed his trust his trust in youth and talent.
Specialist
Rather than pack the midfield with specialist markers, Passarella has asked ball-players to work hard for the team. The bold approach has paid off - so far. Uruguay are third in the table - but Passarella is well aware that they have been flattered by the fixtures.
Home advantage counts in South America, particularly in the case of Uruguay. Very rarely beaten in Montevideo, they have gone 10 away World Cup qualifiers without a win. More than anything, it was poor away form which kept them out of the last World Cup.
In the current campaign Uruguay have played five home games and just three away.
All but one of their 14 points have been won in Montevideo. With the competition so tight, Uruguay must pick up more points away from home if they are to qualify.
Avoiding defeat in Buenos Aires, though, will be very difficult, particularly as Uruguay are without striker Dario Silva, a revelation in this campaign. Centre back and inspirational captain Paolo Montero is also doubtful.
Important
Fearing the worst, Passarella is working hard to take the heat out of the game.
Argentina and Brazil, he says, will take the top two places, meaning that defeat on Sunday will not be a disaster. More important, then, is the next game, away to Bolivia, where main rivals Colombia and Paraguay have already drawn.
Uruguay must get something from that game, which is why Passarella is pressing to have three weeks with his players to get them acclimatised to the extreme altitude of La Paz.
Safe in the knowledge that losing will not be the end of the world, or so goes the theory, Uruguay's youngsters will be able to rise to the challenge of facing Argentina in Buenos Aires.
But Passarella is aware that an away win in his favourite stadium would be a monumental achievement.