Azzurri Legend No.1 - Giuseppe Meazza



Name: Giuseppe (Peppino) Meazza
Nickname: il Balilla
Date of Birth: 23 August 1910
Place of Birth: Milano, Italia
Died: 1979
Position: Midfielder


National Team
Games: 53 (Inter) Goals: 33 (Inter) Captain: 17 (Inter)
Honours: 2-World Champion 1934, 1938 (Captain).
2-Coppa Internazionale 1930, 1935
Records: First player to win two World Cups and consecutive ones.
First player to win a World Cup outside his home country.
First European player to win two World Cups and also
consecutive ones
Trainer: 8 games - 2 wins, 2 draws, 4 lost


Seria A
Clubs: Ambrosiana-Inter, Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, (Varese)
Seasons: 17 (Inter-13, Milan-2, Juventus-1, Atalanta-1)
Games: 439 (Inter-361, Milan-37, Juventus-27, Atalanta-14)
Goals: 264 (Inter-243, Milan-9, Juventus-10, Atalanta-2)
Honours: 2-Italian Champion (Inter-1929/30, 1937/38)
3-Seria A Top Scorer (Inter-1929/30 31goals, 1935/36 25goals, 1937/38 20goals).
2-Seria A Runner-up Top Scorer (Inter-1930/31 25goals, 1931/32 22goals
1-Coppa Italia (Inter 1938/39)
Records: 6 Goals in one Match, 12 May 1929 Inter v Venezia 10-2

Milan born "Peppino" Meazza was Italy's most prolific goalscorer in the 1930s and his 33 goals in 53 appearances for the national side was a record until beaten by Luigi Riva. Meazza began as centre-forward with Inter-Milan in 1927, at the age of 17. The following season he scored 33 goals and in 1929/30 was the Italian league's top scorer, a feat he repeated twice more. In all he scored 355 goals at senior level. He scored twice on his international debut, against Switzerland in February 1930, and was a virtual ever-present until 1939.

Vittorio Pozzo moved Meazza to inside-forward and it paid dividends, culminating in Meazza playing a crucial role in Italy's first World Cup success. He was captain when they retained the title four years later, but shortly afterwards he suffered an injury which put him out of action for most of 1938/39. He moved to AC Milan at the end of 1939, but played only occasionally until 1942. He guested for Juventus and Varese during the war before moving to Atalanta for one season in 1945 and then became manager at Inter, occasionally turning out for them. Giuseppe Meazza died in 1979, aged 69. In 440 games in the Italian Serie A, he scored 269 goals.

Azzurri Legend No. 2 - Gaetano Scirea



Gaetano Scirea is considered one of the great defenders throughout World football history, especially in the position of Libero where only the Argentine Daniel Passarella, the Italian Franco Baresi and the German Franz Beckenbauer can be placed on the same podium as him. In fact in May 1986, the French magazine 'France Football', much renowned for the selection of the 'European Player of the Year', described Scirea " ...better than Pele, Cruijff and Di Stefano."

He was known for his calmness, his gentleness, his class, his style, his elegance, his sense of position, his leadership and his offensive breakthroughs. It was very rare to see him make a mistake and to hear him talk. He preferred to live in the tranquility of silence and respected everyone no matter who he is. For this he was widely loved even by his opponents. Throughout his career he played 686 official games and never received a red card or a disqualification. Gai was born in Cernusco sul Naviglio, a province of Milano, on the 25 May 1953. His career started as a midfielder with Atalanta and he made his debut in Seria A at the age of 19 on the 24 September 1972 in Sardinia, when Atalanta drew 0-0 with Cagliari. He played 20 games out of 30 in this first season in Seria A, but at the end Atalanta where relegated to Seria B on goal difference. 1973/74 saw Scirea playing in all the 38 games Atalanta played in the Seria B and scored a goal. He eventually showed his class in the Libero position and never looked back.

In the summer of 1974, Juventus President Boniperti bought Scirea from Atalanta. The coach Parola gave him the task of replacing their star defender Sandro Salvadore. He played his first game with Juventus on the 28 August 1974 in the Coppa Italia tie against Varese, Juve won 4-0. From than onwards he played a total of 552 official games and established the record as the most player who had played with Juventus. In his first season with Juve he played 28 of the 30 games and won his first Scudetto - the Italian Championship. He went on to play 13 seasons with the 'bianco-nero' shirt of Juventus in which he played 377 games and scored 23 goals in the Seria A, thus becoming the second most player who played in the Seria A with the Club. During these years he won seven championships, including the 1981/82 scudetto which brought the second 'scudetto star' for Juventus as it was number 20. He was the Captain of the squad in the last two, 1983/84 and 1985/86. Scirea is the second most player who won the Italian Championship.

With Juventus he also won two Coppa Italia (one of them as Captain) and established with Cabrini the record for the first European players to win all the major Club trophies. His first European trophy was the U.E.F.A. Cup in 1976/77 and then continued on to win the other four, all as Captain: Cup Winners Cup 1983/84, European Super Cup 1984, Champions Cup 1984/85 and Intercontinental Cup 1985. He also won in 1982/83 the Mondialito Clubs, an unofficial clubs' world cup. Throughout his European career he played a total of 85 games establishing the record of the most Juventus player who played in the European cups. Without any doubt his most difficult time at Juventus was on the 29 May 1985 when before the Final of the Champions Cup against the English club Liverpool there was a lot of rioting by the English fans and 38 people died (31 Italians, 4 Belgians, 2 French, 1 English). As captain, Scirea had the task to calm the crowd by speaking to them before the match started. The game was played in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels Belgium and Juventus won 1-0 to become European Champions for the first time. Two years before, Scirea formed part of the team which lost 0-1 in another Champions cup final, this time against the Germans Hamburg on the 25 May 1983.

He continued playing with the azzurro for eleven years in which he played 78 games, scored 2 goals and lead the team as captain during 10 matches. He formed the backbone of the team on three important occasions: the 1982 World Cup of Spain in which Italy became World Champion, the 1978 World Cup of Argentina when Italy finished fourth, the 1980 European Nations Championship of Italy when the Azzurri finished fourth. He also lead the 'World Champion' National team as Captain in the 1986 World Cup of Mexico in which Italy were eliminated in the Second Round against the European Champions France. This game was played on the 17 June 1986 and was the last game of Scirea in the blue shirt. He is the fifth most player who played with the Italian National team, the second most Italian player who played in the World Cup (with Cabrini) and the fifth most player who ever played in the World Cup (with eight others).

When after the 1986/87 season he decided to retire from football at the age of 34, he was offered a job with his club Juventus as assistant coach to his life long friend Dino Zoff. He accepted gladly the job but this career in coaching finished abruptly when he died on duty in a car accident on the 3 September 1989; he was 36 years old. He had gone to Poland to observe the next opponents of Juventus in the U.E.F.A. Cup, Gornik Zabrze. It was a Sunday morning and he was being driven in a FIAT 125 to Warsaw Airport on the Warsaw-Katowice Superhighway in the region of Babski. As there was some construction works being done, the lanes converted to a single one and while the FIAT was overtaking a TIR, it crashed head on with a Truck. As the car was carrying four reserve tanks of petrol it exploded immediately. Three out of the four persons on board died on the spot: Gaetano Scirea, the driver Henryk Pajak and the interpreter Bairbara Januszkiewicz. The other passenger, Gornik Zabrze President Andrzej Idebski was badly injured but survived.

With the National team, he first played five games with the 'Under 23' making his debut on the 29 September 1974. Soon the National coach Enzo Bearzot called him to give his service to the National team among a lot of controversy whether young Scirea could take the responsibility of leading the defense. He played his first game at the age of 22 on the 30 December 1975 when in the Stadio Comunale of Florence, Italy won 3-2 against Greece. Even here he had the difficult task of replacing another star - Giacinto Facchetti. 17 June 1986, Gai' s last match with the Azzurri - Italia v France 0-2 in the Mexico World Cup.

Azzurri Legend No. 3 - Giovanni Rivera



Name: Giovanni (Gianni) Rivera
Nickname: Abatino, Golden Boy
Date of Birth: 18 August 1943
Position: Midfielder
Place of Birth: Valle San Bartolomeo, Alessandria, Italia


National Team
Games: 60 (Milan)
Goals: 14 (Milan)
Captain: 4 (Milan)
Honours: European Player of the Year 1969
European Champion 1968
Runner-up European Player of the Year 1963
Runner-up World Champion 1970
'Guerin d'Oro Speciali' 1987
'Calciatore D'Oro ad Honorem' 1974
Records: Second most player to play in World Cup Tournaments - 4
Most Italian player to play in World Cup Tournaments - 4


Seria A
Clubs: Alessandria, Milan Seasons: 21 (Alessandria-2, Milan-19)
Games: 527 (Alessandria-26, Milan-501) Goals: 130 (Alessandria-6, Milan-124)
Honours:3-Italian Champion (Milan-1961/62, 1967/68 Captain, 1978/79 Captain)
Scudetto Star (Milan-1978/79 Captain)
4-Coppa Italia (Milan-1966/67, 1971/72 Captain, 1972/73 Captain, 1976/77 Captain)
Intercontinental Cup (Milan-1969 Captain)
2-Champions Cup (Milan-1962/63, 1968/69 Captain)
2-Cup Winners Cup (Milan-1967/68 Captain, 1972/73 Captain)
Seria A Top Scorer (Milan-1972/73 17 goals)
Records: Most Milan player to play in the Seria A - 501 games
Second most Milan player to score in the Seria A - 124 goals

Nicknamed il golden boy of Italian football, Rivera was the product of Alessandria's youth football academy and made his debut in Serie A for Alessandria against Internazionale on June 2, 1959 at the age of only fifteen years. He played 26 matches for his first club, in which he scored 6 goals. After one year, he was bought by AC Milan to replace Juan Schiaffino with a record transfer fee for that time, $200,000; he was only sixteen years old. In 1962 he won the first scudetto with AC Milan and on May 13, 1962, at eighteen, he played his first match for the Italian national team against West Germany at the World Cup in Chile, a game that finished with a goalless draw, 0-0.

Due to their win of the 1962 scudetto, AC Milan qualified for the European Cup in 1962, a European Cup which they finally won, beating Benfica 2-1 in the final with Rivera in great form as he was awarded second place in the famous Ballon d'or award, which was won by the Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin.

In the 1967/1968 season, Rivera won with AC Milan both the title and the Cup Winners' Cup. In 1968, he played for Italy as they won at the European Championship. Sadly, he missed the Final match against Yugoslavia through injury he received at the semi-final against Soviet Union. Next season, Rivera took AC Milan to win the Champions Cup as he finally got the Ballon d'or award.

He played with the Squadra Azzurra (Italian national team) in the 1970 FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico, where they reached the final, losing against Brazil, 4-1. The Italian coach at the 1970 World Cup Final, Ferruccio Valcareggi, believed that Gianni Rivera and his teammate Sandro Mazzola could not co-exist on the same field. Although Gianni Rivera was the more famous of the two, Valcareggi elected to start Mazzola. However, by 2nd round, the Italian offense failed to sparkle. Valcareggi devised a solution he called "staffetta" (relay) to play both players. Mazzola would start in the first half while Rivera would come in at halftime. With this strategy, Rivera helped to beat the host Mexico in the quarterfinal and West Germany in the semifinal, in which Rivera played a major role in one of the best matches in World Cup history, scoring the goal of the success of Italy (4-3). However, in the final against Brazil, Valcareggi did not use Rivera until there were only six minutes left in the game, despite Rivera being the hero of the past two matches.

He also played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup but did not appear in the match where the Italians were knocked out by Poland, 2-1. That was the end of Rivera's career at the national team for which he played in 60 games, scoring 14 goals.

Rivera took AC Milan in two Cup Winners' Cup finals, one in 1973 and another in 1974; the first one was won and the second lost. With the red-and-black team, he also won two consecutive Italian titles, in 1972 and 1973. AC Milan also won several Italian Cups in the 70's but were missing Rivera in most of them, as he was banned because of his statements against Italian referees.

Rivera won the last scudetto of his playing career in 1979 with AC Milan, this also being the tenth title for "The Devils". In total, he played for AC Milan in 501 Serie A matches and scored 160 goals.

After retirement, Rivera became a vice-president at the club. When Silvio Berlusconi bought the club in 1986, he left and entered the Italian political life, being one of the members of the Italian Parliament. He served as an under-secretary for defense under Romano Prodi's government. He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Azzurri Legends No. 4 & 5 - Valentino & Sandro Mazzola





GOLDEN GREATS: Valentina and Sandro Mazzola (Father and son)

While thousands strive to attain the tag of being a great player, the Mazzola family can claim two who have truly earned that honour. Giancarlo Rinaldi reports

Mazzola marvels

The football field is not normally a place where family values flourish. The single-minded pursuit of the self that the game requires can often escalate sibling rivalry to a whole new level. And history is littered with the stories of sporting sons who could never live up to the reputation of their famous forebears. More often than not, it seems, you are better off leaving the family baggage on the touchline.

That is what makes the story of Valentino and Sandro Mazzola so singularly exceptional. Both father and son were players of the highest calibre who wrote themselves ample chapters in the history of the Italian game. On the field of play, at least, no family has made quite such an impact.

Perhaps it was their unique story which helped young Sandro follow and even surpass many of his father’s achievements. Valentino lost his life in the Superga air crash in 1949, leaving his young family to fend for themselves. In many ways it was a case of the young man carrying on the work his father had started rather than struggling to live up to his reputation.

Although both players donned the No 10 shirt their footballing stories and styles could hardly have been more different. Mazzola senior was a robust figure as the game in the immediate years around World War 2 required. An inspirational character, he was also gifted with great skills and a scoring ability which was second to none in the era in which he played. Sandro was, in appearance at least, a more frail figure. But the same skills shone through in his play and also guaranteed him more than his fair share of goals.

Valentino’s footballing story began with the Alfa Romeo factory team in Milan, but it was only when military service took him to Venice in 1939 that he really started to break through. The lagoon team were starting to build an interesting side - which would take their one and only major honour in 1941 with the Coppa Italia. It was there that Mazzola teamed up with his ‘twin’ attacker Ezio Loik. Born on the same day, they both transferred to Torino in 1942 and would both die in the plane crash of 1949.

Before that terrible day Valentino established himself as the greatest player of his generation. Five League championships, a couple of Italian Cups and over 100 Serie A goals, despite the disruption of the war, were the hallmark of his quality. He was killed at the age of 30 when there was still surely a lengthy international career ahead of him and his Grande Torino teammates. In his last interview before the crash he shared his view of the game with a local Portuguese reporter.

"I have to say that I consider football to be a very simple game," he said. "You will win as long as you don’t always play in the same way. You have got to add some variations to make your game more dynamic. There has to be room for improvisation outside of classical tactics. But I am of the opinion that modern football must be above all a team game."

His theories have been echoed in the sport throughout the rest of the century and beyond. And even though Sandro was only seven when he lost his father it is clear that the man had a huge effect on his son prior to the dreadful events of May 1949.

"Every time I think of that day it hurts, I feel an awful pain in the pit of my stomach and I can do nothing about it," admitted Mazzola junior. "The fact is that you try not to think about it and put it at the back of your mind but whenever the anniversary comes around all the bad memories come flooding back."

Still, part of that legacy were the footballing skills which had evidently been transferred from father to son. They also shared a strength of character required to reach the very top of the game. Sandro would be the first to recognise his debt to his father.

"Almost since the day I was born my dad would help me put my boots on and take me along to training, I was a mascot," said Sandro. "There must be something in the genes because he certainly transmitted his love of football to me."

The young Sandro was always likely to be the focus of attention given his famous father and Inter were happy to find a place for him in the all-conquering side they were building. Despite making his debut in a record defeat - the 9-1 hammering from Juve in a match where Inter fielded their youth team - he was destined to mark the club’s history like few others before him.

Inter were desperate to make their mark in Europe and Mazzola delivered the extra class they needed to make that leap forward. Back-to-back European Cups and World Club Cups cemented both the Nerazzurri’s and their No 10’s reputation at the highest level.

An undisputed legend at club level, things never quite went as easily for Mazzola with the national team. Continual indecision between himself and Milan’s Golden Boy Gianni Rivera meant he did not quite make the impact he might have. Still, 70 caps and 22 goals were a fairly major contribution. Mazzola was also part of the 1968 European Championship winning side and the team so cruelly destroyed by Pele’s Brazilians in the 1970 World Cup.

After retirement in 1977 there was no question of Mazzola disappearing from the game and he covered a number of roles for Inter. With more than 400 games and 116 Serie A goals they were unlikely to discard a man who became a symbol for the club. But lately a new temptation has drawn him away from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and back towards his family’s past. A post with Torino beckoned and Mazzola could not resist trying to rebuild a great team with one of the grandest old clubs of Italy. If anyone can achieve it, then probably a Mazzola can.

STAR RATING 8/10 Because of the Superga disaster, Vincenzo Mazzola never got the chance to complete his football career. But he was a truly inspirational figure of his time. Son Sandro also had to contest his position with Gianni Rivera, but his 77 caps prove his claim to fame.

VALENTINO MAZZOLA
Born: Cassano D’Adda (Milan), 26/1/19. Died: 1949.
Position: Attacking midfielder.
Serie A debut: Lazio 1-0 Venezia, 31/3/40
Clubs: Venezia, Torino
International debut: Italy 4-0 Croatia, 5/4/42
International caps: 12
International goals: 4

Honours:
5 Scudetto (1943, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949)
2 Coppa Italia (1941, 1943)
1 Serie A Capocannoniere (1947)

SANDRO MAZZOLA
Born: Turin, 8/11/42
Position: Attacking midfielder
Serie A debut: Juventus 9-1 Inter, 10/6/61
Club: Inter

Honours:
4 Scudetto (1963, 1965, 1966, 1971)
2 European Cups (1964, 1965)
2 Intercontinental Cups (1964, 1965)
1 European Nations (1968)
1 Serie A Capocannoniere (1965)
International debut: Italy 3-0 Brazil, 12/5/63
International caps: 70
International goals: 22

Pictures of Valentino Mazzola:

This pic is Mazzola and Piola


This is Valentino and his children including future star Sandro Mazzola. I think Sandro is the kid on the left


Mazzola is the guy holding the kid.


This is Piola with Mazzola again

Azzurri Legend No. 6 - Giuseppe Bergomi



Giuseppe Bergomi was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. Born in Milan and devoted his entire career to his beloved Internazionale. This central defender or right-back blossomed early and broke into the first team already during the 1980/81 season as a 17 year-old. He was soon acknowledged by national team coach Enzo Bearzot and was included in the 1982 World Cup squad having barely played 30 senior matches in the Italian league. Bergomi started the tournament on the bench, but came on as a substitute against Brazil in the memorable 3-2 second phase win. He did a great job and was included in the starting line-up against Poland in the semifinal because Gentile was suspended. Everyone was impressed with how mature he played and Bearzot could not drop him for the final against West Germany. Bergomi was given the job of marking Rummenigge and completely took him out of the game. The German star was substituted in the second half as Italy ran out 3-1 winners. Giuseppe was a World Cup winner just over a year after making his first appearance in a senior match! At club level, Bergomi and Inter were in the shadow of AC Milan for much of the time. Having won an Italian Cup title in 1982, it took seven more years until another title was won. This time the Serie A, Bergomi's only league championship title in his nineteen seasons at Inter. He experienced more success in European competitions winning the UEFA Cup on three occasions. Italy hosted the World Cup in 1990 and Bergomi captained his country and played in every game as the Azzurri captured bronze medals. A painful semifinal defeat on penalties to Argentina was all that stood betweem them and the final. Giuseppe didn't figure frequently in the Italian line-up as the 1990s progressed. In a Euro 92 qualifying game against Norway, he came on from the bench only to be sent off seconds later for a bad foul! He wasn't wearing the blue shirt of the Azzurri again until he, against all odds, was called up for the 1998 World Cup by Cesare Maldini. He made three appearences in his fourth World Cup, took one more domestic season with Inter, before retiring at the age of 36.

Italy national football team



Italy

Nickname Azzurri (Blues)

Association Italian Football Federation
(Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio)



Coach Roberto Donadoni (2006-)

Most caps Paolo Maldini (126)

Top scorer Gigi Riva (35)

Team colours (home/away)




First International
Italy 6 - 2 France
(Milan, Italy; 15 May, 1910)

Largest win
Italy 9 - 0 USA
(Brentford, England; 2 August, 1948)

Worst defeat
Hungary 7 - 1 Italy
(Budapest, Hungary; 6 April, 1924)

World Cup
Appearances 15 (First in 1934)

Best result Winners, 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006

European Championship
Appearances 6 (First in 1968)

Best result Winners, 1968

The Italy national football team is one of the most successful national football teams, having won three World Cups. The traditional jersey color of the national team (as well as of all Italian teams and athletes, but in motor sports) is light blue (azzurro, in Italian), and therefore national team members are nicknamed Azzurri.


History

The first match of the Italian national football team was held in Milan, Italy on 15 May 1910, against France (a 6–2 victory for Azzurri). After avoiding the first World Cup (1930, in Uruguay), the Italian national team won two World Cups straight: 1934 edition, hosted by Italy, won beating Czechoslovakia 2–1 in Rome; 1938 edition, hosted by France, won beating Hungary 4–2 in Paris.

After World War II, Italian national team did not performed at its pre-war levels, reaching no more than the first round in 1950, 1954, 1962 and 1966 editions, and not even qualifying for the 1958 tournament. The match that has more significance, among those played in this period, is the 0–1 defeat against North Korea during the final stage of 1966 World Cup: Azzurri were defeated by the semi-professional North Korea football players and bitterly contested at their return home, while North Korean scorer Pak Do Ik was celebrated as David who killed Goliath.

In 1968, Azzurri won their first major competition since 1938 World Cup, defeating Yugoslavia in Rome for European Championship title: this is the only major competition final that was played two times, since after extra times (ended in drew, 1–1), rules required the match to be played again few days later, and this time Italy won 2–0. Two years later, Azzurri participated to 1970 edition of the World Cup, organized in Mexico; they managed to arrive at the final, where they were defeated by Brazil 4–1, but the semi-final match, won 4–3 after extra time against West Germany, is by far the most influential and celebrated in Italian football history. The fourth place reached in 1978 edition was an introduction to 1982 triumph: after low level qualifications and first round (they advanced over Cameroon because of more goals scored), an under-rated and press-bashed Italian team collected three impressive games against Argentina (defeated 2–1), Brazil (3–2), and Poland (2–0, semifinal), winning the title against West Germany (3–1); cup top scorer was Paolo Rossi, with six goals scored in the last three matches.

In the last fifteen years, Azzurri played an important role on world football scene, even not winning any trophy: virtually all their partecipations are somehow remarkable. Italy hosted the World Cup in 1990, losing 4–3 semi-final match on penalties to Argentina after a 1–1 draw at the end of extra time; later, they defeated England 2–1 in the third place play-off, thus conceding only two goals in the whole tournament. In 1994 World Cup edition, Italy lost the final match to Brazil with an agonising penalty shootout after a 0–0 at the end of extra time. Also 1998 edition is marked by a penalty shootout, lost 4–3 in quarter-final against France. Italian participation to 2000 European Championship was followed with skeptisism, but Azzurri won an incredible semi-final against home team Netherlands — Italian goalkeeper Francesco Toldo saved one penalty during the match and two during the shootout, Holland players missed one penalty during the match and one during the shootout – a success rate of one penalty scored on six tries — and lost the final 2–1 against France (golden goal), allowing les Bleus equalizing goal 30 seconds before the end of the match. Italy failed in both 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship; in both cases, controversial episodes shifted the focus away from Azzurri's bad performance.

Italy also won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1936 and two Bronze Medals, in 1928 and 2004.

The Italian under-21 national team is one of the most successful of the world, having won five out of fourteen European Under 21 Championships (1990–92, 1992–94, 1994–96, 1998–2000 and 2002–2004 editions).


World Cup record

1930 - Did not enter
1934 - Champions
1938 - Champions
1950 - Round 1
1954 - Round 1
1958 - Did not qualify
1962 - Round 1
1966 - Round 1
1970 - Runners-up
1974 - Round 1
1978 - Fourth place
1982 - Champions
1986 - Round 2
1990 - Third place
1994 - Runners-up
1998 - Quarter-finals
2002 - Round 2
2006 - Champions

European Championship record

1960 - Did not enter
1964 - Did not qualify
1968 - Champions
1972 - Did not qualify
1976 - Did not qualify
1980 - Fourth place
1984 - Did not qualify
1988 - Semifinals
1992 - Did not qualify
1996 - Round 1
2000 - Runners-up
2004 - Round 1
2008 - In Qualifiers

Coaches

Augusto Rangone (1925-1928)
Vittorio Pozzo (1929-1948)
Edmondo Fabbri (1962-1966)
Ferruccio Valcareggi (1966-1974)
Enzo Bearzot (1975-1986)
Azeglio Vicini (1986-1991)
Arrigo Sacchi (1991-1996)
Cesare Maldini (1997-1998)
Dino Zoff (1998-2000)
Giovanni Trapattoni (2000-2004)
Marcello Lippi (2004-2006)
Roberto Donadoni (2006-)


info: answers.com

Azzurri Legend No. 7 - Walter Zenga



Complete Name: Walter Zenga
Nationality: Italian
Place of Birth: Milan, Italy
Date of Birth: 28/04/1960
National Team: Italy- A
Current Club: Retired
Position: Goalkeeper

Walter Zenga Career

Salrenitana (Italy), Savona (Italy), Sambenedettese (Italy), Inter Milan (Italy), Sampdoria (Italy), Padova (Italy), New England Revolution (USA - MLS)

Biography

Walter Zenga (born April 28, 1960 in Milan) is an Italian football (soccer) player, a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Inter Milan.

Zenga joined Inter Milan in 1982 after starting his career in 1978 in the lower divisions of Italian soccer (his first team was Salrenitana in Serie C1, and he also played for Savona and Sambenedettese. Zenga became Inter's starter in his second year with the team, and continued in that position for 11 seasons, until 1994, winning the UEFA Cup in his last season with the club. After being the backup keeper at the 1986 World Cup, Zenga became the starter when Italy hosted the tournament in 1990, and led the team to a third-place finish. He ended up with 58 caps for his country.

In 1994, Zenga transferred to Sampdoria, and then to Padova two years later. From there, it was to Major League Soccer and the New England Revolution. Zenga backstopped them in the league's second season in 1997, then left to pursue an acting career (he and his girlfriend starred in an Italian soap opera). Zenga came back to the Revs in 1999, as a player-coach, but only lasted a year in both those position. He then went to Romania, first managing National Bucharest and then Steaua Bucharest.

Zenga is nicknamed L'Uomo Ragno (Spiderman). During a game versus the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1997, he celebrated a goal by running to the sidelines and making out with his girlfriend, as the Mutiny barely missed the open net straight from the kickoff.

Italian Football A-Z

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/az/azhome.html

All you need to know about Italian football, its players, clubs, coaches and fans.

Azzurri Legend No. 8 - Bruno Conti



Bruno Conti (born March 13, 1955 in Nettuno, province of Rome) is an Italian ex-soccer player and coach who was coach of the Serie A team A.S. Roma from 14 March 2005 to 30 June 2005.

Conti was on the Italian national side that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He played in the Final, yet despite being booked for a foul on Karl-Heinz Förster after 31 minutes, created Italy's third goal by breaking from the half-way line and picking out Alessandro Altobelli to score after 81 minutes. The Italians went on to emerge victorious

During his domestic league career, he played for AS Roma from 1973 to 1990, winning the scudetto in 1983 and Coppa Italia four times. Following the departure of coach Luigi Del Neri, Conti moved up from his position as head of the club's youth teams to first team coach during the 2004-2005 season. Conti does not possess a coaching licence however World Cup winners are exempted from taking coaching exams. Remarkably, he led Roma to the Coppa Italia final, and to a UEFA Cup berth. His short term role as caretaker manager finished when A.S. Roma appointed Luciano Spalletti as coach.




Caps Date Venue Opponent Score Competition
1 11.10.1980 Luxembourg Luxembourg 2-0 World cup qualifying
2 01.11.1980 Roma Denmark 2-0 World cup qualifying
3 15.11.1980 Torino Yugoslavia 2-0 World cup qualifying
4 06.12.1980 Athinai Greece 2-0 World cup qualifying
5 03.01.1981 Montevideo Uruguay 0-2
6 06.01.1981 Montevideo Netherlands 1-1
7 25.02.1981 Roma Europe All Star 0-3
8 03.06.1981 Kّbenhavn Denmark 1-3 World cup qualifying
9 23.09.1981 Bologna Bulgaria 3-2
10 17.10.1981 Beograd Yugoslavia 1-1 World cup qualifying
11 14.11.1981 Torino Greece 1-1 World cup qualifying
12 23.02.1982 Paris France 0-2
13 14.04.1982 Leipzig East Germany 0-1
14 14.06.1982 Vigo Poland 0-0 World cup
15 18.06.1982 Vigo Peru 1-1 World cup
16 23.06.1982 Vigo Cameroon 1-1 World cup
17 29.06.1982 Barcelona Argentina 2-1 World cup
18 05.07.1982 Barcelona Brazil 3-2 World cup
19 08.07.1982 Barcelona Poland 2-0 World cup
20 11.07.1982 Madrid West Germany 3-1 World cup
21 27.10.1982 Roma Switzerland 0-1
22 13.11.1982 Milano Czechoslovakia 2-2 European champ. qualifying
23 04.12.1982 Firenze Romania 0-0 European champ. qualifying
24 16.04.1983 Bucuresti Romania 0-1 European champ. qualifying
25 29.05.1983 Gِteborg Sweden 0-2 European champ. qualifying
26 05.10.1983 Bari Greece 3-0
27 15.10.1983 Napoli Sweden 0-3 European champ. qualifying
28 22.12.1983 Perugia Cyprus 3-1 European champ. qualifying
29 04.02.1984 Roma Mexico 5-0
30 03.03.1984 Istanbul Turkey 2-1
31 07.04.1984 Verona Czechoslovakia 1-1
32 22.05.1984 Zürich West Germany 0-1
33 26.09.1984 Milano Sweden 1-0
34 03.11.1984 Lausanne Switzerland 1-1
35 08.12.1984 Pescara Poland 2-0
36 05.02.1985 Dublin Ireland 2-1
37 13.03.1985 Athinai Greece 0-0
38 03.04.1985 Ascoli Piceno Portugal 2-0
39 02.06.1985 Cd. de México Mexico 1-1
40 06.06.1985 Cd. de México England 2-1
41 25.09.1985 Lecce Norway 1-2
42 05.02.1986 Avellino West Germany 1-2
43 11.05.1986 Napoli China 2-0
44 31.05.1986 Cd. de México Bulgaria 1-1 World cup
45 05.06.1986 Puebla Argentina 1-1 World cup
46 10.06.1986 Puebla South Korea 3-2 World cup
47 17.06.1986 Cd. de México France 0-2 World cup

Goals:

Cap 3 1 goal
Cap 11 1 goal
Cap 15 1 goal
Cap 29 1 goal
Cap 38 1 goal

Total 5 goals

Serie A Title Wins

Juventus 27
AC Milan 17
Internazionale 16
Genoa 9
Torino 7
Bologna 7
Pro Vercelli 7
Roma 3
Lazio 2
Fiorentina 2
Napoli 2
Cagliari 1
Casale 1
Novese 1
Sampdoria 1
Hellas Verona 1
Spezia 1

Serie A Runners Up:

Juventus 19
AC Milan 14
Internazionale 14
Roma 11
Torino 7
Lazio 6
Fiorentina 5
Genoa 4
Bologna 4
Napoli 4
Pro Vercelli 1
Cagliari 1

1934 Italia




1934 Squad

GK Cavanna
GK Combi
GK Masetti
DF Allemandi
DF Caligaris
DF Monzeglio
DF Rosetta
MF Bertolini
MF Castellazzi
MF Ferraris
MF Monti
MF Pizziolo
MF Varglien
FW Arcari
FW Borel
FW Demaria
FW Ferrari
FW Guaita
FW Guarisi
FW Meazza
FW Orsi
FW Schiavio

Coach: Vittorio Pozzo

Qualification

This World Cup was unique in that the reigning World Cup holders Uruguay declined an invitation to participate as a mark of defiance against the European snub from the previous World Cup in 1930, becoming the only holders not to compete in the following tournament. There are also indications that Uruguay declined its participation because the major club teams were afraid that their major players might stay with teams in Europe.

Another unusual fact is that the hosts, Italy, had to qualify. Since 1938, the hosts have been given an automatic spot in the tournament. The next host to compete in World Cup qualifiers was South Africa in 2010; although they are assured of a World Cup place as the hosts, they had to compete because the African confederation is using its 2010 World Cup qualifiers as the qualifying for the 2010 African Cup of Nations. (The South Africans were eliminated at the second round of the 2010 CAF qualifiers.)

Only ten of the 32 entrants, and four of the 16 qualified teams (Brazil, Argentina, United States and Egypt, the first African team to qualify to a World Cup final), were from outside Europe. The last spot in the finals was contested between the United States and Mexico only three days before the start of the tournament in a one-off match in Rome, which the United States won.

Summary

The tournament was held after cupsystem. Eight European teams—Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland—advanced to the quarter-finals.

In the quarter-finals, the first replayed match in the World Cup history took place, after Italy and Spain drew 1-1 after extra time. Italy won the replay 1-0, and then went on to beat Austria in the semifinals by the same score. Meanwhile, Czechoslovakia secured their place in the final by beating Germany 3-1.

The Stadium of the National Fascist Party was the venue for the final. With 70 minutes played, the Czechoslovakians were ahead 1-0. The Italians managed to score before the final whistle, and then added another goal in extra time to be crowned World Cup Winners.

Route to glory

First round
27th May - Italy 7-1 USA
Schiavio 18' 29' 64' Orsi 20' 69' Ferrari 63' Meazza 90' (ITA), Donelli 57' (USA)

Quarter Final
31st May - Italy 1-1 Spain
Reguiero 30' (SPA), Ferrari 44' (ITA)

Replay: 1st June - Italy 1-0 Spain
Meazza 11'

Semi Final
3rd June - Italy 1-0 Austria
Guaita 19'

Final
10th June - Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia (aet)
Puč 76' (CZE), Orsi 81' Schiavio 95' (ITA)

Top scorers

5 - Oldřich Nejedlý (Czechoslovakia)
4 - Edmund Conen (Germany)
4 - Angelo Schiavio (Italy)
3 - Raimundo Orsi (Italy)
3 - Leopold Kielholz (Switzerland)


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1938 France





1938 Squad

GK Ceresoli
GK Masetti
GK Olivieri
DF Foni
DF Monzeglio
DF Rava
MF Andreolo
MF Chizzo
MF Donati
MF Genta
MF Locatelli
MF Olmi
MF Perazzolo
MF Serantoni
FW Bertoni
FW Biavati
FW Ferrari
FW Ferraris
FW Piola
FW Meazza
FW Colaussi
FW Pasinati

Coach: Vittorio Pozzo


Qualification

FIFA's decision during the celebration of the 1936 Summer Olympics to hold the tournament in France caused outrage in South America where it was believed that the venue would alternate between the two continents. Instead, it was the second tournament in a row to be played in Europe. As a result neither Uruguay nor Argentina entered the competition. Spain had the record to be the first country to be out of the World Cup because of a war (the Spanish Civil War).

It was the first time that the hosts (France) and the title holders (Italy) qualified automatically. Title holders were given an automatic entry into the World Cup until 2006 when this was abolished.

Originally 16 nations were going to take part. Austria had qualified but after the Anschluss to Germany in March, they withdrew, leaving 15 teams to take part. FIFA didn't offer participation to the runner-up of the qualification group, that Austria played in, Latvia.

Summary

The tournament was again held in a knockout format, similar to 1934. This was the last tournament where there was not a group stage.

Germany, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Cuba and Brazil were seeded for draw taking place in Paris, on 5 March, 1938.

Five of the first round matches required extra time to break the deadlock; two games still went to a replay. The replays saw Switzerland oust the team of Germany, to which some Austrian players had been added for political reasons, with a score of 4-2, while Cuba managed to advance to the next round at the expense of Romania.

Sweden advanced directly to the quarter-finals due to Austria's withdrawal, and they proceeded to beat Cuba 8-0. The hosts, France, were beaten by the holders, Italy (wearing a provocative all-black 'fascist' strip), and Switzerland were seen off by Hungary. Czechoslovakia took Brazil to extra time in a notoriously feisty match in Bordeaux before succumbing in a replay; the South Americans proved too strong for the depleted Czechoslovak side (both Oldřich Nejedlý and František Plánička had suffered broken bones in the first game) and won 2-1.

Hungary destroyed Sweden in one of the semi-finals 5-1, while Italy and Brazil had the first of their many important World Cup clashes in the other. The Brazilians rested their star player Leônidas confident that they would qualify for the final, but the Italians won 2-1. Brazil topped Sweden 4-2 for third place.

The final itself took place at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris. Vittorio Pozzo's Italian side took the lead early, but Hungary equalised within two minutes. The Italians took the lead again shortly after, and by the end of the first half were leading the Hungarians 3-1. Hungary never really got back into the game. With the final score favouring the Italians 4-2, Italy became the first team to successfully defend the title and were once more crowned World Cup winners.

Some argued that Hungary - or at least its goalkeeper - allowed Italy to win, as a measure to save the lives of the Italian Team, which had received telegrams by Benito Mussolini with "Vincere o morire!" (mistranslated as "Win or die") written on them. Hungarian goalkeeper Antal Szabó expressed his relief following his side's defeat against Italy despite letting in four goals in the loss. Referring to Mussolini's pre-match threats, Szabó quipped "I may have let in four goals, but at least I saved their lives". Actually, this is not the case. "Win or die" was a typical slogan of encouragement from fascist era, meaning "Victory or bust!" or "do your best to get victory". The fascist regime held sporting heroes and champions in high regard, greatly using them in their propaganda machine, so an act like the one suggested by Szabó was not realistic. Szabó's words may have been perhaps an honest misunderstanding.

Due to World War II, the World Cup would not be held for another 12 years, until 1950. As a result, Italy were the reigning World Cup holders for a record 16 years, from 1934 to 1950. The Italian Vice-President of FIFA, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, hid the trophy in a shoe-box under his bed throughout the Second World War and thus saved it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.


Route to glory

First round
5th June - Italy 2-1 Norway (aet)
Ferraris 2' Piola 94' (ITA), Brustad 83' (NOR)

Quarter Final
12th June - Italy 3-1 France
Colaussi 9' Piola 51' 72' (ITA), Hesserer 10' (FRA)

Semi Final
16th June - Italy 2-1 Brazil
Colaussi 55' Meazza 60' (pen) (ITA), Romeu 87' (BRA)

Final
19th June - Italy 4-2 Hungary
Colaussi 6' 35' Piola 16' 82' (ITA), Titkos 8' Sárosi 70' (HUN)

Top scorers

7 - Leônidas (Brazil)
6 - Gyula Zsengellér (Hungary)
5 - György Sárosi (Hungary)
5 - Silvio Piola (Italy)
4 - Gino Colaussi (Italy)
4 - Ernest Wilimowski (Poland)

1934

Combi, Monti, Ferraris IV, Allemandi, Guaita, Ferrari, Schiavio, Meazza, Monzeglio, Bertolini, Orsi

1938

Biavati, Piola, Ferrari, Colaussi, Locatelli, Meazza, Foni, Serantoni, Olivieri, Rava, Andreolo

1950

Annovazzi, Sentimenti, Tognon, Capello, Carapellese, Lorenzi, Campatelli, Giovannini, Parola, Muccinelli, Boniperti

1954

1962

1966

Barison, Perani, Bulgarelli, Mazzola, Fogli, Landini, Lodetti, Rivera, Janich, Albertosi, Facchetti

1970

Albertosi, Facchetti, Rosato, Domenghini, Boninsegna, Riva, Bertini, Cera, Mazzola, De Sisti, Burgnich

1974

Benetti, Spinosi, Rivera, Zoff, Morini, Riva, Capello, Facchetti, Anastasi, Mazzola, Burgnich

1978

Benetti, Zoff, Bellugi, Bettega, Gentile, Causio, Rossi, Cabrini, Scirea, Antognoni, Tardelli

1982

Zoff, Graziani, Bergomi, Scirea, Collovati, Gentile, Conti, Rossi, Oriali, Cabrini, Tardelli

1986

Ancelotti, Bergomi, Galli, Altobelli, Galderisi, Scirea, Bagni, Vierchowod, Cabrini, Conti,

1990

Zenga, Maldini, Berti, Ferri, Carnevale, Bergomi, De Napoli, Donadoni, Baresi, Vialli, Giannini

1994

Maldini, Casiraghi, Berti, Pagliuca, D. Baggio, Costacurta, Signori, Benarrivo, R. Baggio, Albertini, Baresi

1998

Maldini, Nesta, Vieri, Pagliuca, D. Baggio, Di Biagio, Pessotto, Del Piero, Cannavaro, Moriero, Costacurta

2002

Maldini, Doni, Vieri, Panucci, Nesta, Buffon, Zanetti, Totti, Cannavaro, Tommasi, Zambrotta

2006

Buffon, Materazzi, Toni, Grosso, Totti, Gattuso, Pirlo, Camoranesi, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Perrotta