Roberto Baggio, Italy and the world could hardly believe it, but as Luca Cetta writes, Arrigo Sacchi’s decision to make perhaps the gutsiest substitution in World Cup history helped kick-start Italy’s 1994 campaign.
By: Luca Cetta
“This man is mad.”
Roberto Baggio looked around, utterly incredulous. He sought reassurance. But surely it was a mistake?
Arrigo Sacchi was unmoved, wearing a cold stare under his sunglasses. He was sticking to his guns and a decision which could make or break his future. On: Luca Marchegiani. Off: Roberto Baggio. Baggio: “I thought the Coach had put the wrong number on the board.”
The substitution had to be made. Gianluca Pagliuca handled outside the penalty area and was shown a red card. But given Italy’s World Cup hanged in the balance, surely they had to keep their inspirational playmaker on the field. He, after all, was supposed to be the man to follow in the footsteps of Paolo Rossi and lead Italy to glory.
Gianluca Pagliuca, goalkeeper of the Italian national football team in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups, gestures during a stroll along Copacabana Beach, in Rio de Janeiro, one day before the beginning of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. AFP PHOTO/ARI VERSIANI
For his part, Sacchi claimed it was an issue of fitness and stamina. It was a courageous move and one which ultimately paid off. Maybe it was the stimulus the rest of the team needed.
Italy have enjoyed a number of memorable victories at the World Cup down the years. From the ‘Match of the Century’ against West Germany in 1970 to that incredible triumph against Brazil at Spain 1982. Or, in more recent times, the semi-final win against the Germans in 2006. Not to mention four triumphant finals.
So then, when stacked up against those heavyweights, a 1-0 group win against Norway seems downright tame. But given all the flashpoints before and during the match, it’s one of Italy’s grittiest victories. At the forefront of it all was goalkeeper Pagliuca, an unpopular Coach and two Baggio’s.
Four years earlier, the Azzurri were devastated to be eliminated from their World Cup by an underwhelming Argentina side just one step from the final. Further disappointment followed as they failed to qualify for Euro ’92. Too many draws – four from eight games – saw the Azzurri finish three points behind the Soviet Union. That signalled the end for Azeglio Vicini, replaced by Sacchi in November 1991. Sacchi’s first game was a meaningless qualifier against Norway, but he was looking ahead to August 1992 and the beginning of the road to the United States.
Baggio had been a bit-part figure for Vicini during qualifying, but when Sacchi arrived the Divine Ponytail became integral. Since bursting into the international limelight at Italia ’90, Baggio had moved to Juventus and would set about becoming the best player in the world.
Sacchi’s men flattered to deceive in early matches. Baggio started a late comeback to draw 2-2 with Switzerland in the opening match. A scoreless draw in Scotland and slender win over Malta followed. Only with a 3-1 win in Portugal – Roby opening the scoring – did Italy start to impress. They won four of the next five, losing to the Swiss. But the American dream was not yet secured.
FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 07: Arrigo Sacchi attends Italy Training Session at Coverciano. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Nor was Sacchi’s place in the hearts of the media and fans. He had enjoyed great success at Milan, but with limited time at Coverciano found it hard to translate his style to the international scene. His constant chopping and changing – throughout his five year stint Sacchi used 77 players and never fielded the same team twice – didn’t help.
Italy only secured a spot at USA ’94 thanks to a Dino Baggio goal seven minutes from time against Portugal in their last match. They were through, but it was a struggle.
Still, they had Roberto Baggio. While his Juventus were unable to depose the all-conquering Milan as Serie A kings, the Divine Ponytail did lead the Bianconeri to the UEFA Cup in 1993. He was named the ‘93 Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year and was seen as the key man for Italy in the US. The season before the tournament Baggio led Juve to second spot in Serie A with 17 goals. There was a long-standing Achilles problem, but that was not about to halt his charge.
National team results in early 1994 were mixed. Italy lost to non-qualifiers France, as well as Germany. Closer to the tournament they followed an embarrassing defeat to Serie C2 outfit Pontedera with wins over Finland, Switzerland and Costa Rica. A mixed bag for Sacchi’s men who, nonetheless, were expected to do well.
Travelling to America’s east coast was a strong squad. At Sacchi’s disposal was, amongst others, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Demetrio Albertini, Dino Baggio, Gianfranco Zola, Giuseppe Signori, and of course, Roberto. The likes of Giuseppe Bergomi and Gianluca Vialli were out of favour. Lazio’s Marchegiani was the world’s most expensive goalkeeper but only second choice. A grumble would relate to his reliance on the Milan men – Mauro Tassotti and Alberigo Evani two with limited international experience, as well as Luigi Apolloni.
Group E saw Italy drawn alongside the Republic of Ireland, Norway and Mexico. For Norwegian boss Egil Olsen, it was the ‘toughest group’. “I would say that we are in the toughest group. We are in about the same class as Mexico and Ireland. Italy is traditionally a notch higher.”
The Azzurri would start against the Irish in New Jersey’s Giants Stadium. The Italian media expected the majority of the crowd to be in their favour – instead they saw an Irish wall of support. Those in green would lift the metaphorical roof off the stadium when Ray Houghton clipped a long-range shot over Pagliuca for the only goal of the game in the 11th minute.
Baggio was powerless against a fine Paul McGrath performance and produced little. But the blame back home fell on Sacchi and Pagliuca. It was said that Italy lacked desperation as the clock ticked away, while rumour had it the starting XI was heavily influenced by Baresi.
Another of those typical slow starts. If Italy recovered, they could go far like in 1970 or 1982. If not they would receive as warm a welcome as in 1966. Italy had to get their campaign going in the second match.
English newspaper The Observer stated: “The market in rotten tomatoes is expected to move substantially unless they recover in time for Thursday’s encounter here with the Norwegians.”
The very same media had labelled Olsen’s men the ‘Yawn of a new era’ and ‘Snoreway’ for their perceived negative style, witnessed first-hand at a Wembley Stadium friendly in late May. Ever the pragmatist, Olsen had one message: Norway would continue to play what they deemed an efficient style. “We have found a style of play that is effective. Some people look at football as a thing of beauty but we see it as a game to be won or lost.” They had three points after a win over Mexico.
Would Sacchi suffer the Olsen curse? It was reported that seven coaches had been sacked following a loss to an Olsen-led team. Could No. 8 be around the corner? “I was very aware of Coach Olsen’s reputation,” Sacchi said afterward.
This is what Italy had to overcome. They would be back at Giants Stadium, now with the backing of most in attendance. If the rumours of a Baresi selection in the opener were true, this looked a little more Sacchi. Antonio Benarrivo had been first choice right-back for close to a year and replaced Tassotti, brought into the national team just before the tournament. Nicola Berti started in place of Evani. Pierluigi Casiraghi was another to be included, likely for his ability in the air against the robust Norwegians.
Italy started as if their Cup was on the line, which it just about was. In the first 20 minutes Pagliuca hardly touched the ball. Baggio was spraying passes around and looked dangerous in and around the penalty area. He threatened on two occasions, while from a corner Berti was denied by a superb Erik Thorstvedt save. The Italians looked lively. Well-marshalled by Baresi, Sacchi’s favoured pressing system was in evidence every time the Norwegians, admittedly only on rare forays, ventured toward the final third. Norway’s attempts to stifle looked futile. Surely an Italy goal was imminent.
Then disaster struck for the Azzurri.
Oyvind Leonhardsen was played through with a pass that pierced the Italian defence. Out rushed Pagliuca, who produced a one-handed save. Only problem, it was outside the penalty area. “I had no choice. We could not afford to give up a goal like that,” he said later.
Questions could be asked of the defending. Parma’s Benarrivo played Leonhardsen onside as the rest of the defensive line – the all-Milan trio of Baresi, Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta – surged ahead. One wonders if that would have happened with Tassotti.
Pagliuca was distraught, but had to go. Italy were down to 10 men and forced to make a substitution to bring on Marchegiani. Up came the No. 10 on the board. There seemed a collective look of astonishment from 74,624 fans in the stadium. Yes, Baggio was to make way. Italy, staring down the barrel at elimination, would play the remaining 70 minutes with 10 men, and without their best player.
“The substitution of Roberto Baggio was a difficult decision to make,” Sacchi told the post-match Press conference. “But it was good for him and the team because I needed nine players who could run a lot. And I did not want to tire him too much. He can be decisive against Mexico.”
For the remainder of the half a shell-shocked Italy regrouped, but Marchegiani was hardly troubled. And as Sacchi required, he had nine players running like madmen. At this stage a point looked a good result – a subsequent win against Mexico would put Italy on course for the knockout stage. The interval would give Sacchi a chance to remind his players that for 45 minutes they had to do their bit with dogged determination.
Italy’s task was made all the more difficult when Baresi had to be substituted four minutes after the restart. The veteran defender and captain would require a knee operation that looked set to end his World Cup. That he returned to play 120 minutes in the final was phenomenal. In his place stepped Apolloni for just his second international appearance.
But Italy showed guts. And ability too. They had the better of the game despite the numerical disadvantage. Albertini pulled the strings in midfield, while the ‘other’ Baggio – Dino – and Berti did the running. Signori proved a key link between midfield and attack.
In the 69th minute Alf-Inge Haland conceded a free-kick on the left. Signori whipped a dangerous ball into the penalty area for Dino Baggio to climb highest and powerfully head home. There was to be no miracle Thorstvedt save this time. The Parma man looked in a state of disbelief, realising the significance of this goal. It was, at long last, the Azzurri’s first of USA ’94.
Now they had to protect the lead. Italy weren’t helped when Maldini went off for a short period and for a time, it was nine vs. 11. With three substitutions already made – Daniele Massaro replaced Casiraghi just before the goal – Maldini limped on valiantly for the remainder of the game.
Italy had to contend with late waves of Norwegian attacks. Only a handball prevented an 83rd minute equaliser, the referee signalling just before the ball was bundled over the line. One Marchegiani save from Mini Jakobsen later and Italy had finally got their campaign up and running.
“It was a game that we will certainly remember for some years,” Sacchi said. “I am relieved, but it’s not time to celebrate. We still have Mexico.” He continued: “Fear of losing? You always have that fear when you play with only 10. But Italians, we have heart.”
Later, Baggio showed understanding at the decision made. “After only 20 minutes, I was not thrilled about coming off. I thought the Coach had put the wrong number on the board. But he made his decision, and this win is great for our morale. The fear of going home was evident today.”
Even if Costacurta acknowledged the job was only half done. “We lose this game, we’re in the history books and go home,” he said, looking ahead to the decisive final match of the group.
It proved the closest ever in World Cup history. All teams had three points after two matches, and with a 1-1 draw against Mexico – coupled with a scoreless result between the Irish and Norway – Italy advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Norway were the unlucky side, missing out only on goals scored.
But as their Round of 16 match against Nigeria dragged on, Italy had seemingly only delayed the inevitable. They looked to be sinking from the Cup without a trace. Down a goal and a man after Zola’s unjust red card, Roby Baggio’s last-gasp equaliser not only lifted him, but the entire nation. ‘God exists’ Baggio screamed as he celebrated the goal. In extra-time, his pass to Benarrivo led to the match-winning penalty, converted by the Divine Ponytail himself. Italy were into the last eight.
Both Baggio’s would net against Spain – Roby grabbing the winner in the 88th minute – before a Divine double against Bulgaria sent Italy through to the Rose Bowl decider. Finally Baggio was showing the form so many expected of him prior to the tournament.
He hobbled on bravely against Brazil despite injury, while Dino would be substituted five minutes into extra-time. Roberto had done so much to drag Italy to this point, but ultimately it was his penalty shootout miss that would become the symbol for Italy’s defeat.
They may not have even got to that point were it not for a spirited display against the Norwegians. It was appearing a World Cup to forget, but became a victory for the history books and also proved a springboard.
Roby may have thought Sacchi was crazy, but perhaps the most infamous substitution in Azzurri history – only Gianni Rivera’s six minutes in the 1970 World Cup Final comes close – worked out for the best. Sacchi’s choice was as gutsy as one could be. And it was left to the other Baggio to steal the limelight.
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