Preparations of a Host (or Defending Champion)-Part Two (Italy 1988/90)-Part b (Spring 1989)

II. 1988/89 season (Spring 1989)

Italy’s first friendly of the new year (1989) was at Pisa vs. Denmark. Vicini maintained his defensive formation (along with a substitute appearance by Ferrara). While Ferrara’s prospects as a starter were unlikely, he was clearly a dependable deputy in case of injury or suspension.

Vicini also maintained his standard midfield with Berti ably filling in Ancelotti’s continued absences.

Upfront Vicini once again partnered Vialli with Serena, whose best goalsocring season could not be ignored.

He further added competition for the spot by giving a debut to Stefano Borgonovo as a substitute.

Massimo Crippa would make his last appearance of the season as a substitute.

As for the rest the likes of Tacconi, Marocchi, Baggio and Mancini remained on the bench.

The match was another tight affair with Bergomi scraping a goal for Italians scoring with his chest off a free kick..

Preparatory Friendly match Number 4-Denmark (February 22, 1989, Pisa)

Date: February 22, 1989

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Pisa -Stadio Arena Garibaldi

Attendance: 21,000

Italy 1-Denmark 0 (Guiseppe Bergomi 61)

Italy: Walter Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi (captain), Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Riccardo Ferri (Ciro Ferrara 46), Nicola Berti, Roberto Donadoni (Massimo Crippa 67), Fernando De Napoli, Gianluca Vialli (Stefano Borgonovo 74), Giuseppe Giannini, Aldo Serena  

Note:

1-In bold, new caps.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, 1989

(February 22, 1989, Italy 1-Denmark 0)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 5-Austria (March 25, 1989, Vienna)

Italy’s next two matches would be on the road days apart in Austria and Romania. These were Italy’s first two matches away from home during the preparation phase.

The first match was at Vienna’s Praterstadion (incidentally they would be Italy’s first opponents at the World Cup in a year’s time).

For the first time Vicini handed out no debuts and maintained an unchanged side. At this point in Ancelotti’s absence, Berti was his replacement and Serena appeared to be the preferred choice upfront with Vialli.

Borgonovo would make another substitute appearance replacing the injured Serena early on in the match. Luigi De Agostini would also earn a substitute appearance at left back. In fact it would be from his cross that Berti scored the winner near the end with a downward header. Just prior to the World Cup, Italian Magazine Guerin Sportivo had asked each player, when they knew they were sure to make the Finals squad. Berti’s response was that when he scored this winner, he was convinced he was in.

Date: March 25, 1989

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Vienna (Wien)-Praterstadion

Attendance: 23,000

Austria 0-Italy 1 (Nicola Berti 88)

Italy: Walter Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi, Paolo Maldini (Luigi De Agostini 46), Franco Baresi, Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Roberto Donadoni, Fernando De Napoli, Gianluca Vialli, Giuseppe Giannini, Aldo Serena (Stefano Borgonovo 21)

Photo From: FUWO, Issue 13, March 28, 1989

(March 25, 1989, Austria 0-Italy 1)

Photo From: (Screen capture)

(March 25, 1989, Austria 0-Italy 1)

 

Photo From: (Screen capture)

(March 25, 1989, Austria 0-Italy 1)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 6-Romania (March 29, 1989, Sibiu)

Four days after their match vs. Austria, Italy faced Romania in Sibiu. Vicini rested Maldini and gave a start to Ferrara. While Serena’s injury forced absence allowed Borgonovo to start for the first and only time.

Italy lost for the first time in this preparation period as Sabau’s goal made the difference.

The second-half introductions of Maldini, Baggio and Marocchi made no difference.

Back-up goalkeeper Tacconi and the Napoli pair of Fusi and Crippa were the only players on the tour who saw no action.

Date: March 29, 1989

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Sibiu, Municipal Stadium

Attendance: 20,000

Romania 1-Italy 0 (Ioan Ovidiu Sabau 48)

Italy: Walter Zenga,  Giuseppe Bergomi (captain) (Giancarlo Marocchi 51), Ciro Ferrara,  Franco Baresi, Riccardo Ferri (Paolo Maldini 38), Nicola Berti, Roberto Donadoni (Roberto Baggio 65), Fernando De Napoli,  Gianluca Vialli, Giuseppe Giannini, Stefano Borgonovo

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 739 (Number 15),  April 12-18, 1989

(March 29, 1989, Romania 1-Italy 0)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 7-Uruguay (April 22, 1989, Verona)

The season drew to a close with another two-match series this time at home vs. Uruguay and Hungary.

Italy faced a South American Nation (and non-European) for the first time during the preparation at Verona on April 22^nd.

The need for experimentation and especially the European club competitions’ semifinals (on April 19^th) forced Vicini for a reshuffle.

The standard defensive formation was maintained with the exception of De Agostini starting at left-back instead of Maldini. In midfield, Berti and Giannini kept their places. Donadoni and De Napoli were rested with Marocchi and Baggio starting in their place. Vialli and Serena were paired upfront.

Despite maintaining Serena, Vicini was still not convinced with the position and gave an International debut to Napoli striker Andrea Carnevale as a substitute.

The match ended in a (1-1) tie and is also remembered for Baggio’s first goal for the National Team (from a free kick).

Date: April 22, 1989

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Verona -Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi

Attendance: 15,000

Italy 1-Uruguay 1 (Roberto Baggio 65 / Carlos Aguilera 83)

Italy: Walter Zenga (Stefano Tacconi 46), Giuseppe Bergomi (captain), Luigi De Agostini, Franco Baresi, Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Roberto Baggio, Giancarlo Marocchi, Gianluca Vialli (Andrea Carnevale 40), Giuseppe Giannini, Aldo Serena

Note:

1-In bold, new caps.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 741 (Number 17), April 26-May 2, 1989

(April 22, 1989, Italy 1-Uruguay 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 5, June 1989

(April 22, 1989, Italy 1-Uruguay 1)

Preparatory Friendly match Number 8-Hungary (April 26, 1989, Taranto)

Four days later at Taranto, Italy faced a weak Hungarian side. Vicini chose to rest Bergomi with Ferrara deputizing for him Maldini was back in defense.

Donadoni and De Napoli likewise took their customary spots in midfield with Berti and Giannini. Upfront, Vicini chose to partner Vialli with Carnevale.

It was a comfortable win for the Italians (4-0) and a positive way to close out the season with Carnevale scoring in his second match and stake a claim for the coveted spot to partner Vialli.

As this first season of preparation closed, Vicini was as confident as ever in his defensive formation of Zenga-Bergomi-Baresi-Ferri-Maldini with Tacconi, Ferrara and De Agostini as able alternatives.

In midfield, Ancelotti’s absence was worrisome but Berti’s was a welcome addition. Donadoni, De Napoli and Giannini were also set in their positions, but did not seem to have adequate alternatives.

The continuous debate centered around who could partner Vialli upfront as Mancini, Serena, Borgonovo and now Carnevale were all tested without much success. 

Baggio’s potential was obvious but his final position in the squad was still unclear at this point.

From the newcomers, Berti had been the most consistent addition. Mancini appeared to be in a worse position than the year before, while the likes of Fusi and Crippa seemed unlikely to dislodge anyone.

Date: April 26, 1989

Competition: Friendly

Venue: Taranto -Stadio Erasmo Jacovone

Attendance: 25,000

Italy 4-Hungary 0 (Gianluca Vialli 8, Riccardo Ferri 53, Nicola Berti 67, Andrea Carnevale 77)

Italy: Walter Zenga,  Ciro Ferrara,  Paolo Maldini (Giuseppe Bergomi 78), Franco Baresi,  Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Roberto Donadoni,  Fernando De Napoli,  Gianluca Vialli (captain) (Aldo Serena 46), Giuseppe Giannini (Luca Fusi 73), Andrea Carnevale  

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo

(April 26, 1989, Italy 4-Hungary 0)

Photo From: (Screen capture)

(Team Captains, April 26, 1989, Italy 4-Hungary 0)

Photo From: (Screen capture)

(April 26, 1989, Italy 4-Hungary 0)