A dry shot, with the left foot, that is stuffed into the low corner. And then the race at breakneck speed towards the half court, chased by his teammates, waving frantically arms and head. “Goal,” he shouts over and over Marco Tardelli, with eyes shining with happiness. A scream that has remained in history, and that this summer makes round figureis exactly forty years old: it was in fact the11th July 1982 when theItaly exceeded the Germany in the legendary final at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid and graduated World Champion For the third time.
“My exultation represented the apex of a journey that began in ’76, when the coach Enzo Bearzot called me to the national team for the first time “, the unforgettable midfielder told us, presenting the special capsule collection signed Le Coq Sportif which celebrates the triumph of the Azzurri in Spain: a collection designed in collaboration with Wolfgang NatlacenItalian-French artist and president ofAS Velascaa respected Milanese football team the most artistic in the worldo and partner of the French brand since 2017.
If I asked you for a personal postcard from the World Cup, not necessarily related to sport?
“During those days, everything reports to the field and the results. In the end, the beauty of how we won the tournament remains: I remember the pleasure of being there with my teammates, talking with them, living the moment together. If I have to choose an image, I tell Zoff kissing Bearzot ».
How many hours have you slept throughout the competition?
“Frankly, I don’t know, but very few on average.”
To a child of today, who hasn’t seen anything in Spain ’82, what game would you recommend watching?
«Italy-Argentina, the first of the second group stage. It was the turning point match, everything changed from there ».
Among other things, he also scored in that match. But did you see his scream in the final, so full of emotions, in other athletes?
«Of course, that’s the beauty of sport. I am reminded of the guys who won medals at the last Olympics: above all, the jumps for joy of Gianmarco Tamberi, he did a crazy thing ».
Where is the shirt you wore in Italy-Germany now?
“Good question (laughs, ed). My brothers should be asked, one of them has it. I keep about a hundred, swapped with great opponents against whom I played, but I no longer have my World Cup triumph ».
And of the new Italy, after the disappointment for not qualifying for Qatar 2022, what do you think?
«I believe that the balance of the last Nations League matches is not negative. Sure, the resounding defeat with Germany came, an unexpected result, but these matches at the end of the season are difficult to interpret. Then Mancini made some tests, including young players who have shown that they have personality ».
Who did you particularly like and who are the players to bet on?
«They all entered without problems, with great personalities. For the future I am thinking of Zaniolo, who has remarkable technical and physical qualities, Barella, who is now a certainty, and also Tonali: in view of 2024 I think we have good hopes. Waiting for a champion ».
What do you mean?
«A champion is missing, one at Pirlo under construction, but above all in front. We no longer have Totti, Del Piero or Baggio, players who in moments of difficulty manage to give you something more that maybe makes you win the game ».
Do you think there is a problem with angel number 9?
«No, I wasn’t talking about center forward, I meant a champion who can invent the decisive game at any time. As for the attack, it is normal that if you do not score you will be criticized, but I still have faith in young people like Scamacca, but I also have faith in Immobile ».
Among the young people, there is certainly Donnarumma, but he is not having an easy time.
«Let’s say that he is experiencing a moment of not great love with the fans, both of Milan and part of the national team. What he did was experienced by someone as a betrayal: he feels it, and this is not good. Because he is a professional and he goes where he needs to go. We must try to make these guys feel more calm, only in Italy are there such stressful expectations that they create problems ».
Young people will have to blend with the old block. Will they make it?
«When leaders like Chiellini say enough, I think it no longer makes sense to talk about the old bloc. Mancini has the difficult task of looking for new players in non-top-tier teams, for example Sassuolo: many, as we saw at the last European Championships, have already shown that they are doing great ».
According to the big names in Serie A, how do you see the starting grid?
“It is still early. It must be said that Milan have come from a sensational season, but Inter and Napoli did well as well. Juventus will have to return, which this year has not found balance and now needs targeted purchases in the three departments: Pogba is an excellent player, but I am usually skeptical about returns because they carry so many expectations. Di Maria, on the other hand, is the safe second hand ».
But why do our top clubs find it so difficult to include young Italians?
“We lack the patience to wait for them, to accompany them on a path of growth”.
May it lead them, who knows, to another World scream.
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Source: Vanity Fair
