Sunday, June 21, 2009
Italy-Brazil: Bianconeri In Previous Encounters
Nine world titles won by the two teams and 13 direct encounters: the matches between Italy and Brazil are of legendary proportions and this is rightly so as the two teams represent the best of football.
A large chapter in this story has Juventus players as protagonists. At least one bianconero dressed in azzurro is a protagonist in each match.
The first of the series dates back to the 1938 world cup semi-final which was by Vittorio Pozzo’s national team in France. In the formation which defeated the South American favourites by 2-1 the contribution of left fullback and impeccable marker Pietro Rava was fundamental.
On the 25th of April 1956, at the San Siro, the azzurri beat Brazil in a friendly by a round 3-0. The captain of the team was Giampiero Boniperti in his 29th apperance for the national side. The verde-oro had their revenge during that same year in Rio de Janeiro. Giovanni Viola was defending the Italian goal in his last appearance for Italy.
Italy and Brazil met again in 1963, once again in Milan. Pelè was made immobile by the rigid marking of Trapattoni, who at the time was a Milan half-back. In the centre of the defence was the unforgettable Sandro Salvadore, who was the Juventus captain for a long time.
On the 21st June 1970 Brazil and Italy were playing for the world title in Mexico City. The difference was too big with the azzurri losing by 4-1 and – a strange fact – there were no Juventus players in the line-up.
On the 9th of June 1973 Italy returned to beating the world champions. The goal of the final 2-0 was scored by bianconero Fabio Capello. Even though a lot has been said about his shot it is difficult to say whether the ball crossed the goal line entirely.
It was once again Capello on the 31st of May 1976 who inaugurated the match between Italy and Brazil on the 31st of May 1976 which was played in the USA. For the azzurri was simply a case of hay fire as the 4-1 defeat was unmistakable.
On the 24th of June 1978 Italy-Brazil was valid as the third place final of the 1978 world cup. The Juventus protagonist was Franco Causio, who scored the temporary advantage after heading beyond goalkeeper Leao. It was an illusionary goal since in the second half Nelinho and Dirceu turned the result around.
That of the 5th of July 1982 is an Italy-Brazil which is not for the feint of heart. Paolo Rossi became world famous for having eliminated Falcao and friends from the Spanish world cup. The Juventus centre-forward scored a hat-trick which every Italian remembers perfectly: a header from a Cabrini cross; a shot from outside the area following a defnsive error and a deviation in the area. Simply fantastic.
Nine years pass and the two nations meet again in a preparatory test for the Italia’90 world cup. In Bologno the guests won by 1-0. Vicini made use of only one Juventus player: Gigi De Agostini.
On the 17th of July 1994 Italy-Brazil is once again worth the final. The match was not an exciting one and the score remained unmarked even after extra-time. In the penalty shoot-out it was the error of Roberto Baggio (even though not the only one) that left its mark.
Three years later in the French Tournament the two teams gave life to a very entertaining 3-3. The golden boy of the night was Alessandro Del Piero who scored twice against the “adoptive Italian” Taffarel.
Finally, the latest match was played this year, on the 10th February 2009, at the new Wembley Stadium. The South Americans won by 2-0 and one can bet his boots that Gigi Buffon will do everything that avenge himself of the goals conceded to Elano and Robinho, dangerous men who are playing well even in the Confederations Cup.
Juventus.com
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