savage_mau
03-04-2006, 19:39
Italy's All-Time Best XI
Another great debate: “What’s Italy’s greatest all-time starting XI?”
I’m asked this question all the time: “What’s Italy’s greatest all-time starting XI?”
It’s a good question that is not so easy to answer. No matter what response I give, the person who asked me the question to begin with usually ends up debating me.
I decided last week to formulate my answers into a list. I understand that I’m going to get lots of people writing in to criticize my choices. That’s not a bad thing. I actually welcome feedback.
The World Cup is just two months away, and there is no time like the present to go back into the far reaches of your memory and select whom you think are the greatest players to ever don the blue jersey.
Here is my list:
Goalkeeper:
Dino Zoff
He served for three decades as the Azzurri’s goalkeeper and was a member of the team that won the 1968 European Championships and 1982 World Cup, compiling 112 caps in the process. His grit made him truly a joy to watch.
Defenders:
Giacinto Facchetti
He holds the record for captaining his country – a whopping 70 times – and was a member of the team that won the 1968 European Championships and finished second at the 1970 World Cup. His defensive skills -- coupled with his abilities to run forward and aid the attack – made him a complete player.
Paolo Maldini
Has played in a record 126 games for Italy, but quit the national team following the 2002 World Cup. His only blemish: Never being able to lift a trophy for the Azzurri. I’d take him to the World Cup this time around if he could be convinced to come out of international retirement.
Gaetano Scirea
He played with the elegance and strength possessed by few players. He was one of Italy’s finest sweepers and an important member of the Juventus-inspired Azzurri lineup that won the 1982 World Cup. He tragically died in a car crash in 1989 while in Poland on a scouting mission for Juventus.
Claudio Gentile
Here is one of the toughest players to ever play the game – for any team! His battle with Diego Maradona – and keeping him from creating scoring chances -- at the 1982 World Cup remains one of those indelible images in the tournament’s history.
Midfielders:
Bruno Conti
The former Roma standout gave Italy the ability to solidify their midfield. Another star on the 1982 team that won the World Cup, Conti was one of the most underrated players ever to play for the Azzurri. Though not always appreciated by people who compile all-time lists, he will forever be on mine.
Giancarlo Antognoni
The former Fiorentina star was another midfield workhorse, helping create scoring chances and invigorating the offense while supporting the defense. He was another key member of Italy’s 1982 triumph.
Gianni Rivera
He was Italy’s greatest player during much of the 1960’s when he played with AC Milan, and he was a pivotal player for Italy when they won the 1968 European Championships and finished runners-up at the 1970 World Cup. His rivalry with Sandro Mazzola hampered Rivera’s national team career and unfortunately forced him to sit out most of the 1970 final against Brazil.
Forwards:
Gigi Riva
The Cagliari legend was not your typical striker. Though he often started his runs from the flanks, Riva’s instincts in the penalty box made him one of the most lethal goalscorers of all-time. His national team achievements include winning the 1968 European Championship and second place at the 1970 World Cup.
Roberto Baggio
“The Divine Ponytail” became one of the world’s most popular Italian players during the 1990’s because of his ability to create goals for others and to net some of his own when necessary. Soft-spoken and a practicing Buddhist, Baggio wasn’t your typical Italian, but his leadership and determination helped Italy reach the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil. His missed penalty kick that led to Brazil’s triumph will never be forgotten. I like to remember him for his goal against Czechoslovakia in 1990. That goal will ought to be remembered as one of the most memorable in World Cup history.
Giuseppe Meazza
He is still considered one of the greatest Italian players of all-time despite having played the bulk of his career during the 1930’s. He helped lead Italy to two World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938 – the only player on my list to accomplish such a feat – and was one of the world’s first soccer superstars. Meazza remains Italy’s second all-time highest goalscorer behind Riva.
Another great debate: “What’s Italy’s greatest all-time starting XI?”
I’m asked this question all the time: “What’s Italy’s greatest all-time starting XI?”
It’s a good question that is not so easy to answer. No matter what response I give, the person who asked me the question to begin with usually ends up debating me.
I decided last week to formulate my answers into a list. I understand that I’m going to get lots of people writing in to criticize my choices. That’s not a bad thing. I actually welcome feedback.
The World Cup is just two months away, and there is no time like the present to go back into the far reaches of your memory and select whom you think are the greatest players to ever don the blue jersey.
Here is my list:
Goalkeeper:
Dino Zoff
He served for three decades as the Azzurri’s goalkeeper and was a member of the team that won the 1968 European Championships and 1982 World Cup, compiling 112 caps in the process. His grit made him truly a joy to watch.
Defenders:
Giacinto Facchetti
He holds the record for captaining his country – a whopping 70 times – and was a member of the team that won the 1968 European Championships and finished second at the 1970 World Cup. His defensive skills -- coupled with his abilities to run forward and aid the attack – made him a complete player.
Paolo Maldini
Has played in a record 126 games for Italy, but quit the national team following the 2002 World Cup. His only blemish: Never being able to lift a trophy for the Azzurri. I’d take him to the World Cup this time around if he could be convinced to come out of international retirement.
Gaetano Scirea
He played with the elegance and strength possessed by few players. He was one of Italy’s finest sweepers and an important member of the Juventus-inspired Azzurri lineup that won the 1982 World Cup. He tragically died in a car crash in 1989 while in Poland on a scouting mission for Juventus.
Claudio Gentile
Here is one of the toughest players to ever play the game – for any team! His battle with Diego Maradona – and keeping him from creating scoring chances -- at the 1982 World Cup remains one of those indelible images in the tournament’s history.
Midfielders:
Bruno Conti
The former Roma standout gave Italy the ability to solidify their midfield. Another star on the 1982 team that won the World Cup, Conti was one of the most underrated players ever to play for the Azzurri. Though not always appreciated by people who compile all-time lists, he will forever be on mine.
Giancarlo Antognoni
The former Fiorentina star was another midfield workhorse, helping create scoring chances and invigorating the offense while supporting the defense. He was another key member of Italy’s 1982 triumph.
Gianni Rivera
He was Italy’s greatest player during much of the 1960’s when he played with AC Milan, and he was a pivotal player for Italy when they won the 1968 European Championships and finished runners-up at the 1970 World Cup. His rivalry with Sandro Mazzola hampered Rivera’s national team career and unfortunately forced him to sit out most of the 1970 final against Brazil.
Forwards:
Gigi Riva
The Cagliari legend was not your typical striker. Though he often started his runs from the flanks, Riva’s instincts in the penalty box made him one of the most lethal goalscorers of all-time. His national team achievements include winning the 1968 European Championship and second place at the 1970 World Cup.
Roberto Baggio
“The Divine Ponytail” became one of the world’s most popular Italian players during the 1990’s because of his ability to create goals for others and to net some of his own when necessary. Soft-spoken and a practicing Buddhist, Baggio wasn’t your typical Italian, but his leadership and determination helped Italy reach the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil. His missed penalty kick that led to Brazil’s triumph will never be forgotten. I like to remember him for his goal against Czechoslovakia in 1990. That goal will ought to be remembered as one of the most memorable in World Cup history.
Giuseppe Meazza
He is still considered one of the greatest Italian players of all-time despite having played the bulk of his career during the 1930’s. He helped lead Italy to two World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938 – the only player on my list to accomplish such a feat – and was one of the world’s first soccer superstars. Meazza remains Italy’s second all-time highest goalscorer behind Riva.