FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°4
The Italians, still trying to find their game and with certain players not yet fit, take on an ambitious Chile side on Thursday (17:30 local time, 15/30 GMT). The Chileans will be relying on their twin strike force of Zamorano-Salas to cause an upset.
The two teams have only played each other twice, the last game being during the 1966 World Cup when the Squadra ran out winners 2-0. The two sides have been arch rivals, however, since their first showdown 36 years ago.
During the 1962 World Cup in Chile, the host nation beat the Italians 2-0 in Santiago in a violent game which saw two Azzuri players sent off, after being baited by their opponents.
Recent events have also bolstered interest in the game. Ivan Zamorano plays his football for Inter Milan while Marcelo Salas the 23 year old Indian has just been transferred to the Rome based Lazio. Also known as “El matador”, he has already scored 26 goals for the national team.
The two Italian central defenders, Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta know that they’ll have their hands full. Fans will remember that Zamorano outpaced Nesta in May in Paris to score the first goal in the UEFA Cup Final between Inter and Lazio (3-0). Alessandro Costacurta the Italian sweeper holds the Chile team in the highest esteem. He has said “Chile possess eleven talented footballers and very skilful midfielders”.
Fatigue
The Italian midfield looked sluggish and tired a week ago against the Swedes in Goteburg, going down 1-0, and again last Sunday against an amateur team from the north of Paris. Also, recent physical check ups have shown certain players, such as Dino Baggio, Roberto Di Matteo and Christian Vieri to be physically exhausted. The coach Cesare Maldini prefers to play the situation down: “My players are still recuperating after a tough season, but I’m sure they’ll be ready to face Chile”.
Maldini, who is a low-key figure away from football, likes to think of the “Squadra” as outsiders. His son Paolo, however, who will gain his 89th cap at the Parc Lescure against Chile, keeps the media well informed of the intentions of the 1994 runners up.
Without the latest star of the “Calcio” Alessandro Del Piero, who has recovered from his adductor muscle injury but is still not match fit, the Italians will be relying on Roberto Baggio, who was Italy’s saviour in 1994. After a dismal spell at A C Milan, the ex “Ballon d’Or” winner has earned his place in the squad after a superb season with Bologna.
As a “Supersub” for Del Pierro, Roberto Baggio is hoping to win his place back and help his team lift the World Cup trophy. He will be playing alongside Vieri, this year’s top scorer in the Spanish league.
The one remaining doubt is who will line up on the right wing, Angelo Di Livio or Francesco Moriero. Moriero is the more talented and offensive minded of the two, but has been lacking somewhat in inspiration recently.