Pages

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 4 (Oronde Ash Interview)

This is the fourth episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.
For this episode, we interviewed Mr. Oronde Ash, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines International and Assistant Coach at North Carolina State University. We discussed his journey from an immigrant in USA, playing College Soccer and participating with his Nation in the 1996 Gold Cup.


For any questions/comments, you may contact us:
Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/
You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.
Mr. Ash’s contact info:
@orondeash


Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The Beautiful Game on Celluloid, Part Eight (Gregory's Girl)

Spoiler Alert: I assume most people have already seen these films; as a result I discuss the plot as much as I can. I will not try to go into every detail but generalize as much as possible.


Film:   Gregory’s Girl  (1981)

Over the years I have heard British Football (Soccer) fans discuss in fondness their memories of the film ‘Gregory’s Girl’. As a non-British Football fan, I had never been exposed to it and was completely unaware of it.
The constant references to this film had me intrigued but for the longest time it was unavailable in the United States. Luckily it became available on Netflix (rental) this year and I got the chance to check it out for myself.
The film released on April 23rd, 1981 was made by Scottish Director Bill Forsyth, who would later go on and direct Burt Lancaster (Local Hero, 1983) and Robin Williams (Being Human, 1994).



The film’s protagonist is Gregory (played by John Gordon Sinclair). He is a Scottish teenager in Cumbernauld.  The film begins with Gregory and his mates in the woods acting as peeping toms and watching a nurse in a state of undress in a building across at night.  In the scene we are introduced to Gregory and his close friends and we immediately are aware that this will be another coming of age comedy about boys trying to fall in love. His circle of friends include Steven (played by William Greenlees), Billy (played by Douglas Sannachan, a recent graduate and now a window cleaner), Andy (played by Robert Buchanan) and Charlie (played by Graham Thompson) (Andy and Charlie will act as comic relief throughout with their fruitless attempts to meet girls).
The action shifts to the local High School, where we see Gregory playing Football against another school. We are also introduced to the Football Coach, Mr. Menzies, who is clearly dismayed at the performance of his team, most particularly of Gregory.
The Coach (played by Jake D’Arcy) is not highly regarded by his peers nor the students and will also act as a comical relief character with his demeanor.
Coach Menzies confronts Gregory for his lack of effort as a striker. For his part, Gregory is completely unperturbed and nonchalant. 
He responds to all the criticisms with sarcasm and humor and clearly sees no reason to improve himself as Football is ‘only a game’, despite threats from the Coach that ‘changes’ are to be made.
The team has been on a losing streak and the Coach has decided to conduct trials for the striker position, and in doing so, also changes Gregory’s position to goalkeeper.
On the day of the trial, we are introduced to Dorothy (played by Dee Hepburn), a new female student who much to everyone’s surprise is trying out for the striker position for the boys’ team.



During the trial all the male trialists are abysmal, while Dorothy stands out and is clearly the best player.  From a distance Gregory notices her and is instantly smitten by her.
After initially rejecting Dorothy’s early attempts to try-out, Coach Menzies has been convinced by her ability and talent. Nevertheless, he informs her that approval by his superiors is required to have a girl in the boys’ team (In a later scene we see the Principal (played by Chic Murray) approving the idea).
Gregory expresses his Love for Dorothy to his close pal Steve, who appears to be the most mature of his friends. Steven dismisses Gregory’s declaration as just ‘a phase’.
During the first game with Dorothy as striker (and Gregory in goal), Andy (one of Gregory’s friends) is critical of the idea of girls playing Football, but the love-struck Gregory is supportive of the idea, saying that it’s ‘modern.’
Naturally the game is won after a goal by Dorothy and she is now a school celebrity and is later interviewed by the school newspaper as a novelty for being a girl on the boys’ team and inspiring others.
Gregory tries to flirt with Dorothy and after chatting up with her leans that she has spent time in Italy and speaks the language to a degree.
In an attempt to get closer to Dorothy, Gregory asks one of his teachers to take up Italian, as it turns out the only Italian word that he knows is ‘Bella’ (that he will utter in a few scenes).
At various intervals in the film, we are also introduced to the female characters in the school: Carol (played by Caroline Guthrie), Margo (played by Carol Macartney) and Susan (played by Clare Grogan).
We are also introduced to Madeleine (played by Allison Forster), Gregory’s younger pre-teen sister. We see Gregory spending time with her, and she acts as a confident of sorts. She also helps him out pick clothes to make a better impression on Dorothy.
Parents are all but absent in this film as this is not their world. There is one scene of Gregory’s father, who is a driving instructor. That is an inexplicable scene as there is never a mention of him later, nor of any of the other parents. Perhaps further scenes with the father ended up on the cutting room floor. The only figures of authority are the Coach and some of the teachers, but their input is either light or comical.
One day Dorothy asks Gregory to practice with her one on one, so she can improve her shooting. After the practice Gregory gets the courage to ask her on a date. Much to his surprise she quickly accepts. He is so surprised that he repeatedly asks to make sure and she does.
He borrows his friend Steven’s white fancy jacket for the date. He waits for her at the rendez-vous location, but she is a no-show. Later, one of the female classmates (Carol) arrives and tells Gregory that Dorothy will not come and convinces him to take her to a chip shop.
Once there, she sets him up with another female friend Margo, who takes him to a park where she hands him off to Susan.
At the park Gregory bonds with Susan and realizes that he is a better match for her. It is also made clear that the whole plan was arranged with her and her friends including Dorothy to set them up together.
At the end of the date, Gregory is now in love with Susan and kisses her, with his younger sister Madeline spying from her room above.
He comes in and confides to his sister of his new-found love. She then asks him, “who’s gonna be Gregory’s girl now?” and he immediately responds, “you are”.
The film ends with a shot of Dorothy jogging at night (in fact at various stages in the film (including the beginning), we see Dorothy jogging).
Despite its opening sequence with the nurse, ‘Gregory’s Girl is clearly not a ‘sex comedy’ emblematic of European Cinema of the 70s and early 80s.
While being adopted as a memorable film by British Football fans, ‘Gregory’s Girl’ is not exclusively a Football film. In fact, the game is just a backdrop, it is a coming of age film that in present time would be described as a rom-com. It is a somewhat predictable film as most films of its genre are and is light and fun.
The love and romance are very innocent and Gregory’s interaction with his kid sister is touching.
There is not a villain or a mean character to be seen and everyone appears civil and friendly to one another, there is a feel-good vibe throughout and no confrontation of any kind.
It’s a film that I can see would stand the test of time, especially for the Generation that were young at the time the film was released as it harks back the happier memories of youth and perhaps first love.
All in all, it is worth a watch (or a re-watch) for Football (Soccer) fans or otherwise.
Note:

1-Bill Forsyth directed a sequel in 1999 called ‘Gregory’s Two Girls’. That film does not appear to have been as successful nor memorable and is clearly not Football (Soccer) related (In fact I only stumbled upon as I was reading up on the Original).


2-John Gordon Sinclair performed on Scotland squad’s 1982 World Cup Song, “We Have  a Dream”






Monday, April 13, 2020

Compendium to Preparations of Italy for 1990 World Cup-part five (Spring 1990)

IV. 1989/90 Season (Spring 1990)

February 21, 1990 (Rotterdam, Holand 0-Italy 0)
March 31, 1990 (Basel, Switzerland 0-Italy 1)
May 30, 1990 (Perugia, Italy 0-Greece 0)
June 2, 1990 (Arezzo, Italy 3-AS Cannes (France) 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 14-Holland (February 21, 1990, Rotterdam)
Date: February 21, 1990
Competition: Friendly
Result: Holland 0-Italy 0
Venue: Rotterdam-De Kuip-Feyenoord Stadion
Attendance: 24,198
Referee: Gerard Biguet (France)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 20:00
Goalscorers:
(Holland): None
(Italy): None
Summary of goals:
-
Lineups:
Holland:
1- Johannes Franciscus ‘Hans’ van Breukelen (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)  
2- Hubertus Aegidius Hermanus ‘Berry’ van Aerle (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)
3- Adrianus Andreas ‘Adri’ van Tiggelen (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht / Belgium) 
4- Ronald Koeman (Fútbol Club Barcelona / Spain)
5- Franklin Edmundo ‘Frank’ Rijkaard (Associazione Calcio Milan / Italy) (12-Edward Jeroen Sturing (Arnhemse voetbal club Vitesse-Arnhem) 46)
6- Jan Jacobus Wouters (Amsterdamse Football Club Ajax-Amsterdam)
7- Gerald Mervin Vanenburg (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)
8- Erwin Koeman (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen / Belgium)
9- Marcel ‘Marco’ van Basten (Associazione Calcio Milan / Italy) (14-Willem Cornelis Nicolaas ‘Wim’ Kieft (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven) 68)
10- Johannes Jacobus ’John’  Bosman (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen / Belgium)  
11-Richard Pieter Witschge (Amsterdamse Football Club Ajax-Amsterdam)

Coach: Nol de Ruiter (caretaker, standing in for Thijs Libregts)
Booked: Hans van Breuleken
Other Substitutes:
Johannes Frederik ‘Joop’ Hiele (Feyenoord Rotterdam)  
 drs. Graeme Wayne Rutjes (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen / Belgium)  
Jurriaan ‘Juul’ Ellerman (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)

Team Captain: Ronald Koeman
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform Colors: Orange Shirts, White Shorts, Orange Socks


Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
2- Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
3- Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan) 
4- Giuseppe Bergomi  (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 
5-Pietro Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
6-Carlo Ancelotti (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
7- Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
9- Andrea Carnevale(Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) (18-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 82)
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  (14-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 68)
11- Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) (17-Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 72)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
StefanoTacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Alessandro Costacurta (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks



Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 784 (Number 9), February 28-March 6, 1990
(February 21, 1990, Holland 0-Italy 0)



Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 784 (Number 9), February 28-March 6, 1990
(February 21, 1990, Holland 0-Italy 0)


Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 784 (Number 9), February 28-March 6, 1990
(Italy squad, February 21, 1990, Holland 0-Italy 0)


Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, de histoire van oranje, 1989-1995, Authors: Matty Verkamman and Henk Mees
(Holland squad, February 21, 1990, Holland 0-Italy 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 15-Switzerland (March 31, 1990, Basel)
Date: March 31, 1990
Competition: Friendly
Result: Switzerland 0-Italy 1
Venue: Basel -Saint Jakob Park 
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Karl-Joseph Assenmacher (West Germany)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 16:00
Goalscorers:
(Switzerland): None
(Italy): Luigi De Agostini 68
Summary of goals:
0:1 (68th minute, Italy): Luigi De Agostini scored from a free kick.
Lineups:
Switzerland:
1-Martin Brunner (Grasshopper -Club Zürich)
2-Marc Hottiger (Football Club Lausanne-Sports)        
3-Herbert Baumann (Fußball Club Luzern)
4-Dominique Herr (Football Club Lausanne-Sports)                  
5-Urs Fischer (Sankt-Gallen Fußball Club)
6-Marcel Koller (Grasshopper -Club Zürich)
7-Blaise Piffaretti (Football Club Sion) (13-Frederic Chassot (Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club) 79)
8-Heinz Hermann (Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club) 
9-Adrian Knup (Fußball Club Luzern)
10-Alain Sutter (Grasshopper -Club Zürich)
11-Stephane Chapuisat (Football Club Lausanne-Sports)        

Coach: Ulrich Stielieke (West Germany)
Other Substitutes:
Phillip Walker (Football Club Lugano)
Peter Schepull (Fußball Club Wettingen)
Didier Gigon (Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club) 
Patrick Sylvestre (Football Club Lugano)
Phillipe Hertig (Football Club Lugano)

Team Captain: Heinz Hermann
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Blacky
Uniform Colors: Red (patches of white) Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)  (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 58)
3- Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan) (15-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 46)
4- Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
5-Pietro Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  
6- Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
7-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
9- Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) (19-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 58)
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
11-Salvatore Schillaci (Juventus Football Club-Torino)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Gianluca Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 
Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi (Franco baresi assumed Captaincy 58th minute)
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 789 (Number 14), April 4-10, 1990
(Italy squad, March 31, 1990, Switzerland 0-Italy 1)




Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 789 (Number 14), April 4-10, 1990
(Italy squad, March 31, 1990, Switzerland 0-Italy 1)




Preparatory Friendly match Number 16-Greece (May 30, 1990, Perugia) (Unofficial)
Date: May 30, 1990
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial for Italy, Official for Greece, Both Teams played without National Emblems-FIFA and UEFA do not count this match as Official)
Result: Italy 0-Greece 0
Venue: Perugia -Stadio Renato Curi
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Rosa Dos Santos (Portugal)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 20:30
Goalscorers:
(Italy): None
(Greece): None
Summary of goals:
-
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)  (12-StefanoTacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 46)
3-Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)       
4-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
8-Pietro Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  
6-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)                 
14-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
17-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
11-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
21-GianlucaVialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
13-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
19-Salvatore Schillaci (Juventus Football Club-Torino) (15-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) 70)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
22-Gianluca Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
2-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
5-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
7-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
9-Carlo Ancelotti (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
10-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)       
16-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
18-Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
20-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: (Training kit): Half White , Half Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

Greece:
1-Theologis Papadopoulos (Panionios Gymnasticós Sillegós Smyrnis-Athinas)
2-Startos Apostolakis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)
3-Georgios Papadopoulos (Gymnasticós Sillegós Iraklis- Thessaloniki)
4-Stelios Manolas (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)
5-Ioannis Kalitzakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)
6-Jiotis Tsalouchidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)
7-Dimitris Saravakos (captain) (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)
8-Georgios Toursounidis (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki)
(15-Nikos Tsiantakis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas) 58)
9-Stefanos Borbokis (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki) (16-Ioannis Samaras (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas) 71)
10-Nikos Nioblias (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti
11-Spyros Maragkos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  (14-Savvas Kofidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas) 78)

Coach: Antonis Georgiadis
Other Substitutes:
Georgios Plitsis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Iraklis- Thessaloniki)
Nikos Kourbanas (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)
Nikos Karageorgiu (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki)
Konstantinos Kolomitrusis (Athlitiki Enosi Larisa)

Team Captain: Dimitris Saravakos
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Asics?

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: (Screen capture)
(May 30, 1990, Italy 0-Greece 0)



Photo From: (Screen capture)
(May 30, 1990, Italy 0-Greece 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 17-AS Cannes (France) (June 2, 1990, Arezzo) (Unofficial)
Date: June 2, 1990
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial)
Result: Italy 3-AS Cannes (France) 0
Venue: Arezzo
Attendance: -
Referee: Marcello Nicchi (Italy)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: -
Goalscorers:
(Italy): GianlucaVialli 37 pen, 71, Fernnado De Napoli 40
(Cannes): None
Summary of goals:
1:0 (37th minute, Italy): Italy were awarded a penalty kick after Vialli was fouled by Jocelyn Rico in the box. Vialli scored from the ensuing penalty kick,
2:0 (40th minute, Italy): From the right side, Vialli’s shot was parried by Dussuyer, Giannini backheeled the rebound for De Napoli to shoot in.
3:0 (71st minute, Italy): From the middle, Vialli was released through by Giannini and he went around Dussuyer to score  from a narrow angle.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 
3-Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
7-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
2-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
6-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
9-Carlo Ancelotti (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
17-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)     
11-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
21-GianlucaVialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  (19-Salvatore Schillaci (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 71)
13-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
16-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
12-StefanoTacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
4-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
8-Pietro Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  
14-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
15-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
22-Gianluca Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
5-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
10-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)       
18-Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
20-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: (Training kit): Half White , Half Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks

AS Cannes (France):
1-Michel Dussuyer
2-Jean-Luc Sassus
3-Alain Ravera
4-Jocelyn Rico
5-Norbert Nachtweih (West Germany)
14-Pierre Dreossi
7-Jean-François Daniel (12-Manuel Nogueira 61)
8-Franck Durix
9-Yannick Stopyra (11-Guy Mengual 5) (15-Eugene Ceougna 86)
6-Jose Bray
10-Marko Mlinaric (Yugoslavia)  (13-Zinedine Zidane 80)

Coach: Boro Primorac (Yugoslavia)

Team Captain: -
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kronos ? 
Shirt Sposor:L (Leclerc)
Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 798 (Number 23), June 6-12, 1990
(Italy squad, June 2, 1990, Italy 3-AS Cannes (France) 0)







Sunday, April 12, 2020

Compendium to Preparations of Italy for 1990 World Cup-part four (Fall 1989)

III. 1989/90 Season (Fall 1989)

September 20, 1989 (Cesena, Italy 4-Bulgaria 0)
October 14, 1989 (Bologna, Italy 0-Brazil 1)
November 11, 1989 (Vicenza, Italy 1-Algeria 0)
November 15, 1989 (London, England 0-Italy 0)
December 21, 1989 (Cagliari, Italy 0-Argentina 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 9-Bulgaria (September 20, 1989, Cesena)
Date: September 20, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 4-Bulgaria 0
Venue: Cesena -Stadio Dino Manuzzi      
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Alphonse Constantin (Belgium)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 20:15
Goalscorers:
(Italy): Roberto Baggio 18 pen, 34, Andrea Carnevale 46, Own Goal (Nikolai Iliev) 53
(Bulgaria): None
Summary of goals:
1:0 (18th minute, Italy): Italy were awarded the penalty kick after Carnevalle was fouled by Ivanov in the box. Roberto Baggio scored  from the ensuing penalty kick.
2:0 (34th minute, Italy): Baggio received the ball on his own half and advanced, he passed to Vialli and received it back on the right side, he dribbled past Valov and scored.
3:0 (46th minute, Italy): Baggio’s cross from the right side was struck in by Carnevale.
4:0 (53rd  minute, Italy): On the left side, Baggio passed to Vialli, whose shot was deflected in by Iliev.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 76)
3-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)    (14-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 61)
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
5-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
6-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino) (16-Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 68)
7-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)    
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)   
11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Gianluca Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi (Gianluca Vialli assumed Captaincy in the 76th minute)
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Bulgaria:
1-Ilija Valov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
2-Emil Dimitrov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
3-Trifon Ivanov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
4-Pavel Dochev (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)
5-Nikolai Iliev (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
6-Kalin Bankov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
7-Gosho Petkov (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia) (13-Plamen Simeonov (Fudbalski Klub Slavia-Sofia) 83)
8-Hritsto Stoitchkov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
9-Luboslav Penev (Valencia Club de Fútbol / Spain)    
10-Georgi Yordanov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia) (16-Emil Kostadinov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia) 46)
11-Krassimir Balakov (Fudbalski Klub Etar Veliko-Tarnovo)

Coach: Ivan Vutzov
Booked: Nikolai Iliev 18, Trifon Ivanov 58
Other Substitutes:
Zdravko Zdravkov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
Dimitar Vassev (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)
Nikolai Todorov (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)

Team Captain: Hristo Stoichkov
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Green Shorts, White Socks


Photo From: Magazine source unknown
(Italy squad, September 20, 1989, Italy 4-Bulgaria 0)

 
Photo From: (screen capture)
(September 20, 1989, Italy 4-Bulgaria 0)


Photo From: (screen capture)
(September 20, 1989, Italy 4-Bulgaria 0)






Preparatory Friendly match Number 10-Brazil (October 14, 1989, Bologna)
Date: October 14, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 0-Brazil 1
Venue: Bologna -Stadio Renato Dall'Ara
Attendance: 36,000
Referee: Helmut Kohl (Austria)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 15:00
Goalscorers:
(Italy): None
(Brazil): André Alves da Cruz 77
Summary of goals:
0:1 (77th minute, Brazil): Andre Cruz scored from a curling free kick.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
2- Giuseppe Bergomi  (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)  
3-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)  
5-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 46)
6-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
7-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) 
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma) (15-Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 58)
11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)  

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
12-Stefano Tacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
14-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
16-Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
17-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
18-Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Brazil:
1- Cláudio André Mergen  ‘Taffarel’ (Sport Club Internacional- Porto Alegre) 
2-
 Jorge de Amorim Campos  ‘Jorginho’ (Turn und Sportverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen / West Germany)
3-
‘Aldair’ Nascimento dos Santos (Sport Lisboa e Benfica / Portugal)  (14-André Alves da Cruz (Associação Atlética Ponte Preta- São Paulo) 70)
4- 
Mauro Geraldo Galvão  (Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas- Rio de Janeiro)  
6- 
Ricardo Roberto Barreto da Rocha (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)  
5-
 Iomar do Nascimento Mazinho’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) 
8-
 Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri  ‘Dunga’ (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze / Italy)
11-
 Ricardo Rogério de Brito Alemão’ (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli / Italy) (15-‘Geovani’ Silva  (Bologna Football Club / Italy) 88)
10-
 Paulo ‘Silas’ do Prado Pereira (Sporting Clube de Portugal- Lisboa / Portugal) (16-Mílton Queiroz da Paixão Tita’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) 68)
7- 
Luís Antônio Corrêa da Costa ‘Müller’  (Torino Calcio 1906 / Italy) 
9-
 Antônio de Oliveira Filho Careca’  (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli / Italy) 

Coach: Sebastiano Lazaroni
Booked: Carlos Dunga 53
Other Substitutes:
12- ‘Acácio’ Cordeiro Barreto (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) 
13-  ‘Josimar’ Higinio Pereira  (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
17-’Bismarck’ Barreto Faria (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)   

Team Captain: Antônio de Oliveira Filho Careca’  
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Topper
Uniform Colors: Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts , White Socks
For more detail, see:




Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 3, 1990
(Gianluca Vialli, Aldair and Ricardo Rocha, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)

Photo From: World Soccer, Novem,ber 1989
(Silas and Roberto Baggio, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)


Photo From: Shoot, January 13, 1990
(Antonio Careca, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)


Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 3, 1990
(Giannini and Silas, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 766 (Number 42), October 18-24, 1989
(Italy squad Top, left to right: Walter Zenga, Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Andrea Carnevalle, Giuseppe Bergomi, Luigi De Agostini, Bottom, left to right: Fernando De Napoli, Giuseppe Giannini, Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Franco Baresi, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)


Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 766 (Number 42), October 18-24, 1989
(Brazil squad Top, left to right: Mazinho, Claudio Taffarel, Jorginho,  Mauro Galvao, Aldair, Alemao , Bottom, left to right: Luis Muller, Antonio Careca, Carlos Dunga, Silas, Ricardo Rocha, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 11-Algeria (November 11, 1989, Vicenza)
Date: November 11, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 1-Algeria 0
Venue: Vicenza-Stadio Romeo Menti
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Zoran Petrovic (Yugoslavia)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 14:30
Goalscorers:
(Italy): Aldo Serena 74
(Algeria): None
Summary of goals:
1:0 (74th minute, Italy): Baggio’s cross from the right side was touched on by Vialli before reaching Serena on the left side and he volleyed in.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 46)
3-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)  
5-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
6-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
7-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)  (18-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan) 51)
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)  (19-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 70)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Stefano Tacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)         
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi (Gianluca Vialli assumed Captaincy in the second half)
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Algeria:
1-Larbi El-Hadi (Wihad Adabi Boufarik)
15-Raschid Adghigh (JS (Jeunesse sportive de) Kabylie)
3-Kamel Adjas (ES (Entente Sportive) Sétifienne- Sétif)
20-Fodil Megharia (Club Africain-Rades / Tunisia)
4-Ali Benhalima (MC (Mouloudia Club) Oranais-Oran)
5-Djamel Amani (Royal Antwerp Football Club / Belgium)
14-Tahar Cherif El Ouazani (MC (Mouloudia Club) Oranais-Oran)
17-Mousa Saib (JS (Jeunesse sportive de) Kabylie)
9-Hamid Rahmani (ES (Entente Sportive) Sétifienne- Sétif) (18-Tarek Hadj Adlane (USM (Union Sportive de la Medina) d’Alger) 46)
10-Lakhdar Belloumi (MC (Mouloudia Club) Oranais-Oran) (12-Dahmane Haffaf (JS (Jeunesse sportive de) Kabylie) 84)
11-Rabah Madjer (Futebol Clube do Porto / Portugal)

Coach: Abdelhamid Kermali
Booked: Kamel Adjas 37, Tahar Cherif El Ouazani 37, Rashid Adghigh 43
Other Substitutes:
Djamel Boudjelti (CR (Chabab Riadhi) de Belouizdad)
Hadj Amar Chemaa (RC (Rapid Club) de Relizane)
Moulay Tayeb Foussi (MC (Mouloudia Club) Oranais-Oran)
Mohamed Benabou (RC (Rapid Club) de Relizane)

Team Captain: Rabah Madjer
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas?

Uniform Colors: White Shirts (Green vertical stripe on left), White Shorts, Green Socks


Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer
(Italy squad, November 11, 1989, Italy 1-Algeria 0)


Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 771 (Number 47), November 22-28, 1989
(November 11, 1989, Italy 1-Algeria 0)


Photo From: Magazine Source Unknown
(November 11, 1989, Italy 1-Algeria 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 12-England (November 15, 1989, London)
Date: November 15, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: England 0-Italy 0
Venue: London –Wembley Stadium      
Attendance: 80,000
Referee: Hubert Forstinger (Austria)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 20:00
Goalscorers:
(England): None
(Italy): None
Summary of goals:
-
Lineups:
England:
1- Peter Leslie Shilton (Derby County Football Club) (13-David John Beasant (Chelsea Football Club -London) 46)
2- Gary Michael Stevens (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow / Scotland)
3- Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest Football Club) (16-Nigel Winterburn (Arsenal Football Club -London) 67)
5- Desmond Sinclair Walker (Nottingham Forest Football Club)
6- Terence Ian Butcher (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow / Scotland)
4- Steve McMahon (Liverpool Football Club) (14-Stephen Brian Hodge (Nottingham Forest Football Club) 67)
7- Bryan Robson  (Manchester United Football Club) (12-Michael  Christopher Phelan (Manchester United Football Club) 46)
8- Christopher Roland Waddle (Olympique de Marseille / France)
11- John Charles Bryan Barnes (Liverpool Football Club)
9- Peter Andrew Beardsley  (Liverpool Football Club)   (15-David Andrew Platt (Aston Villa Football Club -Birmingham) 78)
10- Gary Winston Lineker  (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club -London)

Coach: Robert William Robson
Other Substitutes:
Mark Wright (Derby County Football Club)
David Carlyle Rocastle (Arsenal Football Club -London)

Team Captain: Bryan Robson (Terry Butcher assumed Captaincy in the second half)
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro
Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, White Socks

Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)       
3-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)    
5-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   
6-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
7-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  (18-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) 82)
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)  (19-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 76)

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Stefano Tacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)    
Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)    
Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks


Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 771 (Number 47), November 22-28, 1989
(Roberto Donadoni, November 15, 1989, England 0-Italy 0)


Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 771 (Number 47), November 22-28, 1989
(November 15, 1989, England 0-Italy 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 771 (Number 47), November 22-28, 1989
(Italy squad, November 15, 1989, England 0-Italy 0)


Photo From: kicker_WM-Sonderheft_1990
(England squad, November 15, 1989, England 0-Italy 0)



Preparatory Friendly match Number 13-Argentina (December 21, 1989, Cagliari)
Date: December 21, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 0-Argentina 0
Venue: Cagliari -Stadio Sant'Elia
Attendance: 29,635
Referee: Alexei Spirin (USSR)
Linesmen: -
Kick-off time: 14:30
Goalscorers:
(Italy): None
(Argentina): None
Summary of goals:
-
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)  (12-Stefano Tacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 46)
2- Giuseppe Bergomi  (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)       
3-Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan) (13-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 46)
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)   
5-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
6-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    
7-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)     (16-Roberto Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) 46)
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  (14-Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 69)
10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)  
11- Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
15-Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)

Team Captain: Giuseppe Bergomi
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Argentina:
1-Nery Alberto Pumpido (Real Betis Balompié -Sevilla / Spain)
2-Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (Real Madrid Club de Fútbol / Spain)
3-Juan-Ernesto Simon (Club Atlético Boca Juniors -Buenos Aires)
6-Julio Jorge Olarticoechea (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
4-Pedro Damian Monzón (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
7-Ricardo Omar Giusti (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
5-Sergio Daniel Batista (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires) 
8-José Horacio Basualdo (Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart / West Germany)  (21-Pedro Antonio Troglio (Società Sportiva Lazio-Roma / Italy) 39)
9-Jorge Luis Burruchaga (Football Club de Nantes / France)
10- Diego Armando Maradona (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli  / Italy)
11-Gustavo Abel Dezotti (Unione Sportiva Cremonese / Italy) (16-Claudio Paul Caniggia (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio / Italy) 67)

Coach: Carlos Salvador Bilardo
Booked: Gustavo Abel Dezotti 20, Ricardo Omar Giusti 62
Other Substitutes:
Julio Cesar Falcioni (Corporación Deportiva América de Cali / Colombia)
Jose Luis Brown (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
Roberto Nestor Sensini (Udinese Calcio / Italy)
Nestor Ariel Fabbri (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
Nestor Raul Gorosito (Fußballclub Swarovski Tirol –Innsbruck / Austria)
Pedro Pablo Pasculli (Unione Sportiva Lecce / Italy)
Abel Eduardo Balbo (Udinese Calcio / Italy)

Team Captain: Diego Armando Maradona  
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Le Coq Sportif
Uniform Colors: Light Blue/White Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Europe 1-Coupe Du Monde Italia 90
(Diego Maradona and Giuseppe Giannini, December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Argentina 0)



Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 2, February 1990
(Luigi De Agostini and Diego Maradona, December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Argentina 0)

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 2, February 1990
(Italy squad, December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Argentina 0)


Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 2, February 1990
(Argentina squad, December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Argentina 0)