Once Upon a Time…-Part 5 (Marco Tardelli: The Scream of the ‘Schizzo’)

One of the most indelible images of the 1982 World Cup and in fact of Post-War Italian Football is the sight of Marco Tardelli’s screaming celebration following his goal vs. West Germany in the Final in Madrid.

Perhaps no player exemplified Giovanni Trapattoni’s ethos of grit, hard work and rugged determination than his able lieutenant on the field and eventually by his side as Assistant Manager.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli’s scream after scoring, July 11, 1982, World Cup, Italy 3-West Germany 1)

Tardelli would go on to earn many titles, as well as nicknames such as ‘Schizzo’ and ‘Coyote’ along the way. As a player He would have a Jeckyl and Hyde personality. He would be just as feared for his defensive individual marking (sometimes to the limits of legality) as he was admired for his organizational play in midfield.

His story begins in Northern Tuscany, where he was born on September 24, 1954, at a village called Capanne in Careggine, in the province of Luca.

He grew up with three brothers and was football mad from a young age.

As a fiftteen-year old, he recalled watching the famous Italy-West Germany semifinal of 1970 and being captivated and overcome by all the emotion of it.

After that he knew that he wanted to become a Footballer.

Little did he know that he would also mark history against the same opponent in 12 years time.

But before that he had to begin his Footballing journey.

As a young player he was a good runner, which would serve him well in the future in midfield. His Idol around this time was Luigi Riva and was inspired to emulate him.

At school, he established himself on the Left Wing and was obsessed with dribbling and attacking the opposition goal.

However, at the age of 17 was asked by his Manager to play in defense and he could not refuse.

He was still very slim in his teens and as a result he was discarded by the likes of AC Milan, Bologna and Fiorentina.

Pisa, then at Serie C, would take a gamble on the 18 year-old and acquired him for Seventy Thousand Lire.

He would play two seasons at Pisa (1972/73 and 1973/74). He would play in 41 matches and score 4 goals along the way. In his first season he only played eight matches and scored two goals. He established himself in the second season and played 33 matches (and scored two goals.).

His strong running caught the attention of Serie B’s Como and he made the jump to the Division above in the summer of 1974 at the age of 20 at the behest of Technical Director Giancarlo Beltrami.

He would gain the trust of Pippo Marchioro, his Manager at Como, who would have a strong influence on him as a player.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli at Como, 1974/75)

He would consider Marchioro, as a second father. As soon he felt Tardelli was homesick, Marchioro would put him on a train and send him home so that he would recharge and be ready.

He repaid him with solid performances in his solitary season there and made 36 appearances and scored two goals.

Due to his strong running, he earned his nickname of ‘Schizzo’ there and his success at Como, paved the way for him to bigger and better things.

Interest for the youngster was growing from the Serie A’s top clubs.

Fiorentina showed interest, but it was believed that he would be on his way to Internazionale Milano. In fact Inter President Ivanoe Fraizzoli had arranged a deal worth 700 Million Lire (800 Million in some sources) and was even photographed with the player.

However, Juventus Director Giampiero Boniperti wanted him at all cost and acquired him under the nose of Inter for 950 Million Lire.

His first Manager at Juventus, Carlo Parola, would deploy him as a defender. After some early difficulty he established himself in the squad and managed to play in 26 matches (and score two goals). He scored his first goal in the Serie A on December 14, 1975 against Inter, the team he had almost joined.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 5, May 1976

(Marco Tardelli, Juventus 1975/76)

Juventus did not manage to win the Scudetto that season, as their neighbors Torino were victorious.

Tardelli did enough to catch the eye of the National team selectors and earned his first cap in a friendly vs. Portugal on April 7, 1976 in Turin (playing in defense in a 3-1 win).

He would go on to become a fundamental part of the National Team into the next decade.

At the time, Enzo Bearzot was the Manager of the National Team with Fulvio Bernardini acting as Technical Director.

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Tardelli  in his International debut, He is standing, the third from the left, Italy squad, April 7, 1976, Italy 3-Portugal 1)

From the Fall of 1977, Bearzot would become the sole selector and Tardelli would remain one of his most loyal players.

An important event occurred in that summer of 1976 that would have profound effects on Tardelli’s career.

A then-young Manager named Giovanni Trapattoni was appointed to lead the Bianconeri.

Trapattoni would change Tardelli’s position by placing him in midfield. It would be there that his qualities would shine through.

Trapattoni would entrust him in a pivotal position and make him Juventus’ enforcer in midfield. His tireless running would enable him not only to mark out opponents with ruthless efficiency but also be active in creating chances and joining in the attack. He was the link between the defense and the attack.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Marco Tardelli, November 17, 1976, World Cup Qualifier, Italy 2-England 0)

He would be part of a formidable midfield that season along with Beppe Furino, Franco Causio and Romeo Benetti.

Juventus were neck to neck with Torino that season (1976/77) and in the end triumphed with 51 points to 50 (out of a possible 60).

Tardelli would score four goals in that successful and career changing season.

Juventus would also go on and triumph in the UEFA Cup by defeating Spain’s Athletic Bilbao.

Photo From: Mondial, Old Series, Issue 5, June 1977

(Marco Tardelli, May 4, 1977, UEFA Cup, Juventus 1-Athletic Bilbao 0)

This was Juventus’ first ever trophy on the European Stage.

Tardelli and Juventus were on the verge of writing some of the best pages of the club’s History.

By now he was also a fixture in Bearzot’s National Team and with virtually all of his Juventus teammates helped Italy qualify for the 1978 World Cup.

The following season (1977/78), Juventus and Tardelli would once again be victorious in the Serie A by losing only once during the season.

Tardelli played his part in the triumph and supplied four goals from midfield.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 27, March 1978

(Marco Tardelli, Juventus 1977/78)

Photo From: I Calciatori 1977/78

(Marco Tardelli, Juventus 1977/78)

Juventus would fail in their bid to win the Champions Cup and would be eliminated by Club Brugge in the Semifinals.

He would also have a memorable season with the National Team.

His importance to the National was none more apparent than in Italy’s World Cup qualifier vs. England at Wembley on November 25, 1977.

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1977

(Marco Tardelli and Trevor Brooking , November 16, 1977, World Cup Qualifier, England 2-Italy 0))

After 25 minutes into the match, Bearzot relieved Renato Zaccarelli from man-marking England’s most dangerous player Kevin Keegan. He instead decided to assign Tardelli to mark Keegan.

Tardelli would waste no time in making his presence felt and showed his ruthless side by elbowing Keegan. He would be a thorn in the side of Keegan during the entire night. This would not be the last time that Tardelli would be assigned to guard the most dangerous weapon of the opposition (nor the last time with Keegan for that matter…)

This match showed both the positive and negative sides of Tardelli, but it was clear as far as Bearzot was concerned he was indispensable as he could perform many different tasks and play in many positions in an efficient manner.

Photo From: Panini, World Cup, 1978

(Marco Tardelli)

Just like Trapattoni, Bearzot could count upon him and expect maximum efficiency.

That summer of 1978, Tardelli participated in his first ever World Cup with Italy in Argentina.

Juventus were virtually selected en bloc as in all Tardelli and eight of his teammates made the Finals squad. These included goalkeeper and Captain Dino Zoff, young emerging defender Antonio Cabrini, Gaetano Scirea, Claudio Gentile, Antonello Cucureddu, Romeo Benetti, Franco Causio and Roberto Bettega.

From the opening match, Tardelli would be visible, as he would be tasked with marking France’s Michel Platini, a future teammate at Juventus.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 30, June 1978

(Marco Tardelli, June 10, 1978, World Cup, Argentina 0-Italy 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 30, June 1978

(Marco Tardelli marking Michel Platini, June 2, 1978, World Cup, Italy 2-France 1)

Italy would have a positive campaign and would finish fourth.

Upon returning from Argentina and after two complete seasons, perhaps it was inevitable that Juventus and Tardelli would need a period to decompress.

The post World Cup season (1978/79) was disappointing by Juventus’ standards and the team finished Third in the Serie A, behind Champions AC Milan and Perugia.

A first round exit in the Champions Cup vs. Scottish side Rangers Glasgow only confirmed their difficulties that season.

Photo From: Calciatori, edis-78-79

(Marco Tardelli, Juventus 1978/79)

Juverntus’ only consolation was in winning the Coppa Italia (Tardelli’s first) by defeating Palermo (2-1) in the Final.

Tardelli would contribute his average of four goals in the season.

He would also manage to score his first goals for the National team that season. He scored vs. Spain in a friendly in December 1978 (1-2 loss) and also vs. Holland (3-0) in another friendly in February 1979.

At the end of that season on June 25^th, 1979, Tardelli was selected as part of a FIFA World Stars side to play Argentina at Buenos Aires for the one year Anniversary of Argentina’s World Cup win.

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1979

(World XI squad selected for the match commemorating the one year anniversary of Argentina’s triumph, June 25, 1979, Argenntina 1-FIFA World Stars 2, Top, left to right: Delgado (doctor), Manfred Kaltz, Marco Tardelli, Juan Manuel Asensi,Bruno Pezzey, Friedrich Koncilia, Antonio Cabrini, Wolff (Physio), Middle, left to right: Vantaggiato (staff), Zbigniew Boniek, Luigi Peronace (Manager), Rudi Krol, Enzo Bearzot (Manager), Michel Platini, Pereda (Coach), Bottom, left to right: Franco Causio, Paolo Rossi, Simon Tahamata)

His National Team Manager Enzo Bearzot had been chosen as the Manager of the FIFA team and he naturally called upon one of his most trusted players.

Despite the friendly and relatively non-competitive nature of this match, Tardelli remained competitive as ever and played the match with the intensity of a World Cup Final. He was tasked with marking Argentina’s new sensation Diego Maradona. He once again showed the negative aspects of his game by taking to the role with the utmost seriousness. He shadowed and constantly fouled Maradona. He would be booked and eventually sent off in the 76^th minute after repeated brutality against Maradona.

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº3116 (June 26, 1979)

(Marco Tardelli and Diego Maradona, June 25, 1979, Argentina 1-FIFA World Stars 2)

The following season (1979/80) would be another difficult season for Tardelli and Juventus.

Juventus would finish runner-up behind Internazionale Milano.

Tardelli would be out for much of the season and would only make 18 appearances due to injury. Despite this, he did manage to score his customary four goals per season.

Juventus reached the semifinals of the Cup Winners Cup but were eliminated by Arsenal.

Meanwhile, at the International Level, Italy had been designated as the hosts of the 1980 Euros. They had been playing in friendlies for about two years as part of their preparation, but their results had been unimpressive. They suffered a blow prior to the Tournament, when Italy striker Paolo Rossi was suspended as a result of the ‘Totonero’ Match fixing scandal.

Italy struggled in the absence of Rossi during these Euros.

Tardelli renewed his rivalry with Keegan by marking him in the match vs. England in these Euros. He also scored Italy’s winner in this match, though it was to no avail as Italy were eliminated in the First Round at the expense of surprise team Belgium.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1976, February 21, 1984

(Kevin Keegan and Marco Tardelli, June 15, 1980, European Championship, Italy 1-England 0)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Marco Tardelli’s goal, June 15, 1980, UEFA European Championships, Italy 1-England 0)

The following season (1980/81) would mark the return to prominence of Trappatoni’s Juventus with an ever impressive Tardelli.

Juventus would reclaim the Scudetto after three years (just edging out AS Roma) and Tardelli would go on to score a career high of seven goals in the season.

Photo From: GUERIN SPORTIVO, 1980-1981 – CALCIOITALIA

(Marco Tardelli and Giovanni Trappatoni, 1980/81)

Internationally the season started well, as Italy posted four straight victories in its World Cup qualifying Group with wins over Yugoslavia, Denmark, Greece and Yugoslavia.

The wins placed Italy in an ideal position to qualify from the Group.

The following season (1981/82) would be the most memorable of his career.

In the Serie A, Juventus repeated as Serie A Champions. The title was secured with a win in the very last match of the season that kept them one point ahead of Fiorentina (Tardelli would score three goals in the campaign).

However, the greatest prize of all lay jut ahead. Internationally, Italy had struggled all season and had been largely unimpressive in obtaining World Cup qualification after a bright start to the qualifiers.

Photo From: Panini, World Cup, 1982

(Marco Tardelli)

Their friendlies prior to the World Cup had also been below par. In fact, the first round of the World Cup had also been disappointing. Italy had qualified to the second round after three straight ties and had only qualified at the expense of Cameroon only on goal difference.

The Italian Media naturally criticized the team with some commentary that the players deemed unfair and unjustified. The Team voted for a Press Blackout for the remainder of the Tournament.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 31, October 1982

(Marco Tardelli during the 1982 World Cup)

This was the turning point and afterwards the Team found a new lease on life.

It was during the Tournament, that Bearzot also gave Tardelli the nickname of ‘Coyote’ because he could not go to sleep at night.

Tardelli would spark Italy’s renewal by scoring Italy’s first goal in the second Round Group phase match vs. Argentina en route to a (2-1) win.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Marco Tardelli scoring against Argentina, June 29, 1982, World Cup, Italy 2-Argentina 1)

This was followed by a memorable encounter and win over the favorites Brazil (3-2).

Italy would reach the Final by defeating Poland (2-0) in the semifinals to face West Germany.

Italy would win in the Final vs. the West Germans (3-1) to claim their first Post-War World Cup.

Photo From: Spain '82, The Winning of the World Cup, Authors Phil Soar and Richard Widdows

(Marco Tardelli, July 11, 1982, World Cup, Italy 3-West Germany 1)

It is Tardelli’s scream after scoring Italy’s second goal that will live in the memories as the most memorable and talked out event of the match.

In the 69^th minute (Italy already 1-0 up), after a series of passes, Tardelli received the ball just outside of the box and from a distance took a shot with his left foot to Harald Schumacher’s lower left corner.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 79, July 1982

(Marco Tardelli’s scoring, July 11, 1982, World Cup, Italy 3-West Germany 1)

Afterwards, Tardelli celebrated by running and screaming with rage with his fists clenched. Many years later Tardelli would say: "After I saw my whole life pass by, I felt the same feeling that, It is said, it is when you are about to die. The joy of scoring in a World Cup finals was immense, something I dreamed of as a child, and my exultation was a kind of liberation for accomplishing that dream. I was born with that cry inside me, and that was the exact moment she came out of”.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli with the World Cup trophy, July 11, 1982, World Cup, Italy 3-West Germany 1)

This goal and celebration is often voted amongst the best World Cup goals in various polls.

The World Cup also changed observers’ perception of Tardelli. Until then, Tardelli had the reputation of a tough man-marker of the adversary, however, the World Cup showed that he was the complete player, a tireless runner who could also be creative if given the freedom.

He believed that he had not changed; he just had ben given the opportunity to do something other than individual marking. He was able to show his worth and display that he could actually be creative and not just be restricted to defensive duties.

Upon his return, the returning Hero caused some controversy by refusing to sign his new Juventus contract along with Claudio Gentile and Beppe Furino.

Juventus had just signed France’s Michel Platini and Poland’s Zbigniew Boniek to big contracts.

The trio felt that they should be paid along the same terms.

In fact it was said Tardelli had been opposed to Platini’s signing as he felt the Irishman Liam Brady (who had to make way for Platini) had been mistreated.

He also indicated that he was a World Champion and the Italians should not be playing second fiddle to the foreign signings.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 84, December 1982

(Marco Tardelli)

After a difficult start to the season (1982/83), Juventus somewhat regained form after the foreign players had been integrated. However, they had to be satisfied with a runner-up position as AS Roma won the Scudetto.

Tardelli had contributed five goals in the campaign.

Juventus also failed in its quest to win the Champions Cup as they lost to West Germany’s SV Hamburg in the Final.

Tardelli and Juventus’ consolation remained the Coppa Italia that they won at the expense of Hellas Verona (Tardelli’s second Coppa Italia).

In an interview during the season, he indicated that when he retired he would not stay in the game, as he did not like that milieu. As long as he was still playing he would support it but not afterwards. He wanted to try something else and perhaps start a business.

The following season (1983/84) despite not scoring a single goal in the season for the first time, Tardelli had nevertheless an excellent campaign, as Juventus triumphed in the League (Tardelli’s fifth overall and last).

Juventus also triumphed in the Cup Winners Cup by defeating Portugal’s Porto.

Tardelli therefore won his second European Cup after winning the 1977 UEFA Cup.

That year of 1984 would the beginning of the end of his Juventus adventure.

He had created some controversy by once again criticizing foreign players. He felt they were overpaid in comparison to Italian players.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 114, June 1985

(Diego Maradona and Marco Tardelli, May 5, 1985, Napoli 0-Juventus 0)

This further increased his rift with Platini.

The season (1984/85) he would also have problems with his Manager Giovanni Trapattoni. In April 1985, he declared that he had problems with someone important in the team (assumed to be Trappatoni) and that he did not know if the issue could be resolved.

That season Juventus would struggle in the League and finish sixth.

Photo From: France Football, April 9, 1985

(Juventus players playing pool, left to right: Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini, Gaetano Scirea and Michel Platini)

At the end of that season, Juventus reached its goal of winning the much-coveted Champions Cup by defeating Liverpool (1-0).

However, the win was tarnished due to the Heysel disaster that claimed the lives of 39 fans (of mostly Juventus).

He would later publicly express shame for having played that match. He said that the players had not known the extent of the Tragedy at the time and felt they could not pull out after it had been decided to play. He had only learned the extent of the tragedy pn the following day.

This would be his last match with Juventus after a decade of mostly glory and trophies.

His problems with Trapattoni as well as his advancing age had convinced the Juventus hierarchy that changes were needed.

Tardelli, along with Paolo Rossi and Zbigniew Boniek were transferred out to be replaced with younger talent.

Tardelli was transferred to Internazionale Milano (with Aldo Serena going in the opposite direction on loan as part of the deal).

His first season at Inter (1985/86) was marred by a hand injury and he missed many months. He would make 19 appearances during the season. He would have two managers that season. He started the season with Ilario Castagner, who was then replaced with Mario Corso.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli at Inter)

Inter finished sixth in the season. They did reach the semifinals of the UEFA Cup but were eliminated by Real Madrid.

Tardelli would be perceived as one of the scapegoats of Inter’s season.

His personal life also suffered as he separated from his wife during the season.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 118, October 1985

(Marco Tardelli at Inter)

His adventure with the Azzurri was also slowly coming to an end. He played his last match for Italy on September 25, 1985 in a friendly vs. Norway (1-2) at Lecce.  It would be his 81^st and Final cap (scoring 6 goals for the National team along the way).

He would make Italy’s squad for the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico, but he did not play a single minute in his Third and Final World Cup.

Photo From: Panini, World Cup, 1986

(Marco Tardelli)

It was also the end of the road for Enzo Bearzot and their mutual association ended at that summer of 1986. Tardelli had only known Bearzot as coach in National Team colors.

The following season (1986/87), appeared troublesome for him from the onset as his old boss Giovanni Trappatoni was appointed as Internazionale Milano’s new Manager.

This did not help his cause as his problems from the tail end of his career at Juventus with Trapattoni still lingered.

Tardelli had no significant impact on the Team in another difficult season for him.

During the season, Tardelli had verbally made an agreement with Inter President Ernesto Pellegrini that he would renew his contract at June 1987. Pellegrini had assured him that his salary would remain at the same level and would also have the option to be trained in a future career in management.

However, Pellegrini went back on his word (many feel at the behest of Trappatoni) to force Tardelli out. The terms of the new contract were significantly less than promised. The reason given was that other players in the first team were earning less.

He had no choice but to leave and later felt betrayed when Pellegrini criticized his behavior in a newspaper interview.

In that offseason of 1987, no other Serie A squad came calling as he was seen as an ageing player (32 years old) with somewhat of a bad reputation (given the last episode with Pellegrini and recent past with Trappatoni).

Given his standing, he could not envision a return to the Serie B. It appeared that he might retire until Swiss club St. Gallen made an offer.

His salary would be less than at Inter, but he would have the option to study a course in Management.

At the end of that season (1987/88) in Switzerland, he ended his distinguished playing career.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli at St Gallen, 1987/88)

He had been ravaged by time and many injuries in his latter years.

At first he worked in the Media and was a pundit for ’La Domenica Sportiva’ during the 1988/89 season.

On September 21^st, 1989, he began his coaching career as he was appointed  Italy’s Under-16 National Team Coach.

Less than a year later, on August 1^st, 1990, he was elevated to be Cesare Maldini’s Assistant for Italy’s Under-21 squad.

He remained in his post until the summer of 1993, when he left to become the new Como Manager in Serie C1 for the (1993/94) season. He gained promotion to the Serie B and managed Como in the new season (1994/95).

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli celebrating Promotion to Seri B with Como)

Como was relegated that season and Tardelli took the failure very hard. He declared “For the first time in my life I have to lower my head.”

He was appointed as Cesena Manager for the following season (1995/96). He lasted one full season but was ousted early in the following season (1996/97) after the fans turned on him.

In December 1996, he rejoined the National Team program by becoming Cesare Maldini’s Assistant for the senior squad. He would lead the Under-23’s in the Mediterranean Games of 1997 and would by the end of the year be appointed as the Under-21 coach. He would lead the Under-21’s to the European title in Bratislava (on June 4, 2000, by defeating the Czech Republic (2-1)) with a team containing the likes of Pirlo, Gattuso and Baronio.

As the Under-21 boss, he would lament how young Italian players opportunities were restricted by foreign players of the same age.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Marco Tardelli managing the Under-21 and Olympics squad)

It seemed that the under-appreciation of Italian talent at the expense of foreign expensive talent was a running theme from his playing into his Management days.

Following the 2000 Euro title in Slovakia, he led Italy to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Upon his return he was ready for club Management at the highest level. Internazionale Milano President Massimo Moratti had just fired Marcelo Lippi after the very first League match of the (2000/01) season.

Moratti appointed Tardelli as the new Inter Manager on October 7^th, 2000.

He was unable to make a positive impression and was dismissed at the end of the season. His lowest point was the (0-6) drubbing at the hands of AC Milan.

He later had a stint at Bari (2002/03) before managing the Egyptian National Team in 2004, and also had a very short time at Arezzo (2005).

He joined Juventus’ board of Directors in 2006 but left after a year in 2007.

In 2008, Giovanni Trappatoni, newly appointed as the new Manager of Republic of Ireland called upon his former charge to become his Assistant.

Time had been a conytributing factor in ending their rift and who better to carry out his plans with than Tardelli.

He would remain Trap’s Assistant until September 2013, when Trappatoni resigned.

This has been his last Management post to date and he can look back upon a successful career topped off by the greatest prize of all, the World Cup.

His career in Management has not been as successful as one might have hoped for, his greatest achievement perhaps has been with the Under-21’s.

As a player his achievements seem unequalled and he was one of the best Italian players of his Generation. He was fortunate to have been led with two Managers at club and International level who exploited his playing ad running abilities to the maximum.

They entrusted him with responsibilities and could expect total devotion and professionalism to the task assigned.

His era would be synonymous with the successes of these two managers Trappatoni and Bearzot

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 40, April 2001

(Enzo Bearzot)

He is forever linked to the 1982 World Cup and that scream. Another image of him from that World Cup that remains, is the still photograph of him holding a water bottle over his head with his arms raised in triumph.

He was ruthless when needed to be but also useful upfront when the tactical shackles were removed.

During the (1992/93) season, Roberto Baggio’s commitment at Juventus and was being questioned as he appeared to be coasting along and picking his matches. His Manager at Juventus, Trappatoni put Baggio’s performances in perspective by comparing him to Tardelli and said: “Tardelli would bite people’s ankles.”

This was perhaps the greatest compliment given to a player that gave it all for his Manager(s).

Photo From: World Soccer, September 2000

(Marco Tardelli)

References:

Il Libro Azzuro, Author Walter Perosino, 1998

Guerin Sportivo, Issue 521 (Number 1), December 25, 1984-January 8, 1985

Onze-Mondial, Issue 133, February 2000

Mondial, new series, issue 31, October 1982

World Soccer, September 2000

Calcio 2000, Issue 26, January 2000

Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

World Soccer, January 1988

Onze, Issue 84, December 1982