Italy has everything to win the 1990 World Cup. One thing that was not in their favor, the semifinal match was scheduled to take place in San Paolo, Napoli’s headquarters and Diego Maradona.
By holding the status of the host, Italy stepped into the semifinals with a frightening record and terrified the opponent. They won five games without conceding.
A defense line filled by Walter Zenga as goalkeeper and fortified by two tough defenders Franco Baresi and Giuseppe Bergomi. This composition made Italy unscathed by opposing teams.
In attack, they have Salvatore Schillaci who has had a story full of surprises and has developed into an Italian goal machine to replace the more reliable bomber, Gianluca Vialli.
Not to mention the names of star players like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, Roberto Donadoni, and Giuseppe Giannini.
The strange atmosphere for Italy was already felt when the press conference took place. Maradona began to create a chasm that seemed to underline that Napoli is not part of Italy.
“It seems that Italians can comfortably remember Napoli at this time. How could it be, in another 364 days during the year, Napoli and the south seemed to have been erased or forgotten.”
“Now they remember the supporters [Napoli] are Italians because they need supporters to support the national team,” said Maradona as quoted by the Chicago Tribune.
Maradona’s attempt to steal Napoli from Italian rule was successful. Maradona wrote this in his book, El Diego.
“When I entered the pitch, on July 3, the one thing I heard was applause. I read the entire banner: ‘Diego in our hearts, Italy in our song’, ‘Maradona, Napoli loves you but Italy is our home’.”
“The Argentine national anthem, for the first time during the 1990 World Cup, was applauded from beginning to end. For me, it was a victory. I thought: this is my supporter,” said Maradona, quoted by ESPN.
The Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga felt the strangeness of the San Paolo atmosphere. The Italian national team, which previously always played full of support, suddenly seemed not to be fully host to the semifinals.
“It affects us. It’s difficult to describe in words, but we came from Rome [Stadio Olimpico]. We played five games, five wins and didn’t concede.”
“All the supporters at the Stadium [Olimpico] do not care if they are fans of Rome, Lazio, Inter, or Juventus. They provide total support for 90 minutes,” Zenga said, quoted by The National.
Zenga admitted that Maradona’s comments had a big impact.
“Then we arrived in Napoli, Maradona said a few things, and the atmosphere changed. We can’t say that as the reason Argentina beat us.”
“But there is a change in atmosphere. It surprised us even though it was not the reason we lost,” said the former Inter Milan goalkeeper.
Stepping back a few years, Napoli made a big surprise by bringing in Maradona in 1984 with the status of the most expensive player in the world. The presence of Maradona seemed a miracle descent that would allow Napoli to destroy the domination of the Italian League which was controlled by teams from the north.
Two Scudetto titles plus the UEFA Cup is clearly proof that Maradona can lead Napoli’s resistance to the domination of established teams. Napoli’s victory in the Italian League is the biggest joy for Napoli citizens who are often considered marginalized.
Lose on Penalty Shootout
Italy was happy first because Schillaci managed to score a fast goal in the 17th minute. Schillaci managed to take advantage of the wild ball in front of the goal.
“The most important thing in our minds is not conceding, we don’t concede, we don’t concede. We knew beforehand that if we don’t concede we’ll go to the final, but at the same time starting to think that if we concede we won’t be able to get there.”
“If I tell you to stop thinking about pink elephants, then what will you think? In fact, elephants are pink,” Zenga said.
Zenga’s toughness finally collapsed after 517 minutes without conceding at the 1990 World Cup. Claudio Cannigia successfully headed the ball while his back to the goal.
After fighting fiercely until the extra time round, there were no additional goals until the match had to be decided on penalties.
In the shootout, two early Italian executors, Baresi, Baggio, and Luigi De Agostini successfully carried out their duties. Likewise with the three executors of Argentina, Jose Serrizuela, Jorge Burruchaga, and Julio Olarticoechea.
Disaster for Italy came in the fourth kicker turn. Donadoni was unable to carry out his duties because his shot was blocked by Sergio Goycochea.
Maradona who became the fourth kicker coldly outwitted and defeated Zenga. Italy’s defeat was finally confirmed when Aldo Serena’s shot was stopped by Goycochea again.
The Italian players bowed languidly while Maradona was delighted at San Paolo, the Italian land that has been his home for many years.
