Italy

Italy Team Overview

The Italian National Football Team is one of the most well known and successful national teams in soccer. Led by the Federezione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) the national team represents Italy in all domestic and international soccer competition. Italy has won four World Cups, 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Only one less than Brazil, who have won the most World Cups, with five championships. They took home the Gold medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics. They were also European Champions in 1968, winners of Central European Cup twice, and World Military Cup winners 8 times.

The Italian National team is often called Azzurri, referring to the blue color blue that is used for most Italian national sports teams. The blue came from the House of Savoia, who reigned as kings of Italy from 1861 until 1946, and created a united republic. The team has always dawned blue jerseys with emblems displaying the flag. The endless amount of die hard Italian fans, can be heard chanting “Forza Azzurri” at any match.

Italian Team History

The Beginning: An Unstoppable Force

The Italian National Team came together in May 1910 for the first of their international matches. On May 10, in Milan, Italy the team faced France beginning their history with a 6-2 victory. There were over 4,000 fans watching the game who rewarded their team by throwing cigarettes out to them.

The first official competition the National team participated in was the 1928 Summer Olympic games in Amsterdam. The team won third place in the competition, with Uruguay stopping them in the semi finals. Italy joined the World Cup tournament in 1934. There was a previous world cup in Uruguay that had taken place in 1930, but the Italian National Team declined to participate in the event. The 1934 World Cup Team was lead by coach Vittorio Pozzo, and captain Guiseppe Meazza, who was an unstoppable force as a striker. Italy was in a tight final agaist Czechoslavkia, for the finals of the tournament held in Rome. They came through with a 2-1 victory in their home country with brilliant goals by Raimundo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio. The team not only took the trophy home in the 1934 World Cup but also the 1938 World Cup and the Gold in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

The 1936 Olympic games were held in Berlin, Germany and Italy dominated. They won the gold after a victory with Austria. Two years later, they 1938 proved that Italy was leading the world in soccer. The all time top scorer of the Italian National team, Silvio Piola scored two goals in the finals, as well as forward Gino Colaussi, giving the team a 4-2 victory over Hungary.

With two consecutive world cup victories and a gold medal, Italy was the number one team of the 1930’s

Post WWII

The Italian National Team came out of World War II in the late 1940’s with a tragic change to their line up. In 1949 ten out of the eleven men of the team’s starting line up were killed in a plane crash. The incident called, Superga Air Disaster, was a plane carrying the Torino Serie A team which crashed as it was returning to Torino and everyone was killed. Most players on the Torino team were a part of the National Team.

The 1950 World Cup was hosted by Brazil, and Italy fearing another flight incident went by boat to the tournament. With a long trip and a new squad of players the team lost in the first round.

In the World Cups that followed in 1954 and 1962, Italy also lost in the first round. In the 1958 World Cup, Italy did not qualify to even participate in the tournament. There was also the European Nations Cup (Today the UEFA EURO CUP) held in 1960, and was the first of its kind. Italy was knocked out in the second round by the USSR.

Perhaps the most devastating moment in their World Cup History up to this point was their first round match against North Korea in the 1966 World Cup. The Azzurri were still favourites and had a new youthful team with great talent and players such as Gianni Rivera and Giacomo Bulgarelli. In the first round match against a semi pro North Korea defeated the Azzurri in a 1-0 victory. The Italian team was sent home and criticized deeply for their loss on their return home to Italy.

Glory and Defeat

It had been 30 years since Italy’s last major victory in the 1938 World Cup. Italy went into the 1968 European Cup Championship eager. They won the cup after the first replay ever taken place for a major tournament. The first final was a 1-1 tie with Yugoslavia. A replay was played a few days after the draw, where Italy beat Yugoslavia 2-0. The team was revived.

The 1970 World Cup held the Azzurri as favourites once again, and the team found themselves in the semi final match against West Germany. Today, recognized by both countries as the Game of the Century. Taking place in Mexico City, the game was dominated offensively by Italy with a goal in the 8th mninute by Roberto Boninsegna. West Germany were trailing the entire match until injury time where they pushed through and Schnellinger scored. Extra time for the match to break the tie, proved to be an unbelievable spectacle. German Muller scored in the 94th minute of play, followed by Italian Burgnich scoring, for a 2-2 match. Then in the 104th minute Riva gave Italy the lead for the second time, but only six minutes later Muller scored once again for Germany, but this time with a header. The match was tied once again 3-3. As the replays of Muller’s beautiful header was being shown, Italy kept pushing. Boninsegna put a cross into the box, and Rivera with one touch pounded the ball into the back of the German net in the 111th minute. After 120 minutes of play Italy went on to the finals, as its fans celebrated in the streets. Italy lost to Brazil in the finals of the 1970 World Cup, in a 4-1 defeat.

1972 European Championship was not successful as the team did not reach play in the tournament rounds. Italy had success in friendly matches, but failed to get past the first round in the 1974 World Cup and 1976 European Championship. Its coach at the time, Valcareggi retired.

The Italian team’s squad now included many new players. This new generation included Paolo Rossi and goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who led the team in the 1978 World Cup. The team finished fourth place in the cup, as Argentina went on to win the cup. Italy actually defeated Argentina in the first round matches. The 1980 European Championships were held in Italy. The new rules included eight teams rather than four and automatically allowed the host team to participate. Italy lost the third place match due to penalties. The 1982 World Cup, left the team criticized for three draws in its first round. The Azzurri appointed their head coach as well as Dino Zoff to be the representatives to talk to the press. The second round of the cup left Italy in a match against previous winners Argentina. Italy was victorious in a 2-1 winner as the well carried Italian defence stopped superstar Maradona. Italy then went on to play a brilliant match against Brazil. Both teams had scored 2 goals, but due to point difference a 2-2 draw would have sent Brazil to the next round. But Falcao followed Rossi’s two goals with one of his own, and Italy won 3-2.

Italy went on the play West Germany once more in the final match, where the strong Italian offense left the score 4-0. Breitner scored Italy’s fourth, and made him the second man ever, to score goals in two different World Cups. Tardelli scored the second goal and his scream is remembered as a moment of glory for the Azzurri. Rossi, scoring six goals in the cup was given the Golden Boot, and Dino Zoff, 40 years old at the time of the cup, was the oldest to ever be a World Cup champion.

Italy hosted the 1990 World Cup and were the favoured winners. They ended up losing in the semi finals to Argentina in penalty kicks. With this defeat close at hand, the Azzurri did not qualify for the 1992 European Championship.

Penalty Kicks define an Era
The 1994 World Cup was one to remember. Italy, although having a slow start, found themselves in a final match against Brazil. The finals, held in Los Angeles, CA left Italy and Brazil to face off in penalties. Italy lost the shoot out as superstar Roberto Baggio missed the final kick sending it over the crossbar. It was a deafening loss. The Euro 1996 left Italy behind after group play.

The 1998 World Cup Italy was once again fighting for the trophy with penalty kicks. This time it was after a 0-0 tie in the finals of the cup. Del Piero came in for Baggio in the second half staffetta, just as Mazzola replaced Rivera in the 1970 Cup. The team eventually lost in a 4-3 shootout. Baggio holds the record for scoring goals in three different world cups.

The Euro 2000 yet again left Italy in a shootout situation, against the Netherlands in the semifinals. Goalkeeper Toldo, saved two shots in the shootout, and Totti, a new young player scored with a cucchiaio (a lob chip referred to as the spoon chip). Italy lost in the finals 2-1 in extra time against France.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, left Italy facing their 1966 disaster once again. In a match against South Korea, referee Byron Moreno gave Totti a second yellow card for a dive and discarded an extra time goal, leaving Italy to lose 2-1. The replays show the yellow card was unjust and the goal was. Referee Moreno was suspended and removed a few years later due to similar behavior in his federation.

2006 FIFA World Cup Champions
The 2006 FIFA World Cup left Italy with a penalty shoot out against France once again. This time, unlike the 1998 Cup, Italy would come out victorious, led by coach Marcelo Lippo. With a Serie A match fixing scandal involving some of the National team players, Italy endured much skeptisism as the cup approached. The team had an array of great players, and a great defensive line with captain Cannavarro and goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.

In the Round of 16, Italy won a match against Australia after a foul was called for Grosso in the box. In extra time, Totti was chosen to take the penalty kick, and placed it in to give Italy the 1-0 victory. The semi final was a memorable game as Italy took on host country Germany. Del Piero and Andrea Pirlo scored in the last two minutes of extra time, in a suspenseful exciting match. Italy then found themselves in the finals of the World Cup, to face France. Zidane of France scored the first goal of the match in the 7th minute with a penalty kick. But soon after a cross from Pirlo allowed Materazzi to head the ball in to tie the match. France no longer led. In extra time, the incident heard round the world occurred as France’s captain Zidane, headbutted Materazzi in the chest after comments were exchanged. Zidane was given a red card.

The match went to penalty kicks, where Italy performed superbly scoring 5 of their 5 PK’s, for the first time in Azzurri history. David Trezeguet penalty kick was denied by the crossbar and gave Italy an opening. The Azzurri, after a long final match, won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. A majority of the players were named to the 23 man all star team, Buffon, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Pirlo, Gattuso, Totti and Toni. Buffon won the Lev Yashin Goalkeeper of the tournament only allowing two goals the entire cup, an own goal and a penalty kick.

Stars of the Current Italian Squad

Gianluigi Buffon: Known for holding the Azzurri up during the 2006 World Cup. Playing with the team since 1997, he was chosen as Goalkeeper of the 2006 World Cup and was added to the list of the cup’s all star team. He is a weapon for the Italians.

Fabio Cannavaro: Leading the squad as team captain, Cannavaro plays central defender. His quick skill and quickness have led him to international recognition. He was 2006 FIFA Player of the Year.

Andrea Pirlo: A man of experience and insane placement with the ball, Pirlo is a playmaker for Italy. Playing midfield he often assists the game winning goals.

Luca Toni: A powerful striker standing at 6ft 4 inches, Toni is difficult to stop on the front lines and will prove to be a major problem for opponents in the coming tournaments.

Italy Legends

Guiseppe Meazza: playing from 1930-1939, Meazza was the leader of the team’s golden age. He was perhaps Azzurri’s first superstar. He played 53 matches with the squad and scored 33 goals. He scored in the 1938 semifinal match against Brazil and was part of the team that won the 1934 and 1938 World Cups as well as the 1936 Olympics.

Dino Zoff: A star goalkeeper for the team, he became the oldest Italian, at the age of 40, to ever win a world cup after the 1980 victory in the World Cup. He has had over 112 appearances with the team, and captained the squad over 50 times.

Paolo Rossi: Given the Golden Ball, Golden Shoe and World Player of the Year award in 1982, Rossi is an all time scorer for Italy. He led the team to World Cup victories and clinched goals when it mattered most. He began with the team in 1977 and retired in 1986.

Paolo Maldini: considered one of the best defenders of all time, Maldini played with the Azzurri from 1988-2002. With 126 appearances and 7 goals, as a defender, he captained the team for many years and holds the record for most apps. He retired after the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Roberto Baggio: playing for the Azzurri from 1988-2004, Baggio is the only Italian to score in three different World Cups. Given the 1993 FIFA Football Player of the Year Award, he played in over 50 matches with Italy and scored 27 goals.

Most International Matches Played

Most Appearances for Italy

Most Goals

Italian Player Recognition & Awards

Paolo Rossi

• 1982: Golden Shoe Award, Golden Boot Award (World Cup), World Player of the Year

Roberto Baggio

• 1993 Footballer of the Year
• Only Italian Player to score goals in 3 Different World Cups

Fabio Cannavaro

• 2006: World Soccer Player of the Year, FIFA World Cup All Star Team, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Award FIFA World Player of the Year

Team Honours

• 1st in FIFA World Rankings

  1993, 2007

FIFA World Cup

• Champions: 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
• Runner Up: 1970, 1994
• Third: 1990

European Championship

• Champions: 1968
• Runner Up: 2000

Olympic Games

• Gold Medal: 1936
• Bronze: 1928, 2004

Central European Championships

• Winner: 1927-30, 1933-1935

World Military Cup (National Competition)

• Winner (Hold record for 8 wins): 1950, 1951, 1956, 1959, 1987, 1989, 1991
• Runner Up: 1955, 1972, 1979, 1997
• Third: 1957, 1977, 2003

Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year 2007

Italy Team Management

Uniforms

Blue has always been the color of the Italian National team. Thus giving them the name, Azzurri (blue) and defining the color of their home jerseys. The first kit includes a Blue jersey and socks, with white shorts. The away kit includes blue shorts with white socks and a white jersey.

The Uniform always carries the Italian patch, dawning the colors of the flag, red, green and white.

Important Italian Football Links

• http://www.figc.it/
• http://www.comune.roma.it/was/wps/portal/pcr
• http://www.italia.gov.it

References

• http://www.amoia.bravehost.com/calcio.html
• http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/azzurri.html
• http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/dirette/sezioni/calcio/mondiali/giornofinale/
• http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=natteam&Id=11&b=true&cont=Europe
• http://www.amoia.bravehost.com/calcio.html
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5164106.stm
• http://mediacenter.gazzetta.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=be83d802-0720-11dd-9c1a-00144f486ba6&idCanale=Olimpiadi2008&navName=2
• http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFD8103BF934A15755C0A966958260
• http://www.nazionaleitalianacalcio.it/engitalia.html