October 14, 1989-Italy 0-Brazil 1

October 14, 1989

Italy 0-Brazil 1

Friendly

Venue: Bologna -Stadio Renato Dall'Ara

Attendance: 33,800

Referee: Helmut Kohl (Austria)

Goalscorers: (Italy): None

                    (Brazil): André Alves da Cruz 77th

Lineups:

Italy:

1-Walter Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   [30 / 0]

2- Giuseppe Bergomi  (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)   [60 / 6]    

3-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) [20 / 3]

4-Franco Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)   [35 / 1]  

5-Riccardo Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) [27 / 4] (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) [12 / 0] 46th)

6-Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)    [9 / 3]

7-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) [5 / 3]

8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli) [33 / 1]  

9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)  [39 / 11]

10-Giuseppe Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma) [29 / 3]  (15-Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)  [4 / 0] 58th)

11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)   [4 / 2]

Coach: Azeglio Vicini

Other Subs:

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

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, 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 )

Brazil:

1- Cláudio André Mergen  ‘Taffarel’ (Sport Club Internacional- Porto Alegre) [22 / 0]
2- Jorge de Amorim Campos  ‘Jorginho’ (Turn und Sportverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen / West Germany) [18 / 2]
3-‘Aldair’ Nascimento dos Santos (Sport Lisboa e Benfica / Portugal) [13 / 0] (14-André Alves da Cruz (Associação Atlética Ponte Preta- São Paulo) [13 / 1] 70th)
4- Mauro Geraldo Galvão  (Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas- Rio de Janeiro)  [16 / 0]
6- Ricardo Roberto Barreto da Rocha (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)  [11 / 0] 
5- Iomar do Nascimento ‘Mazinho’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)  [15 / 0]
8- Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri  ‘Dunga’ (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze / Italy) [17 / 1]
11- Ricardo Rogério de Brito ‘Alemão’ (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli / Italy) [28 / 5] (15-‘Geovani’ Silva  (Bologna Football Club / Italy) [20 / 5] 88th)
10- Paulo ‘Silas’ do Prado Pereira (Sporting Clube de Portugal- Lisboa / Portugal) [24 / 1] (16-Mílton Queiroz da Paixão ‘Tita’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) [29 / 6] 68th)
7-

 Luís Antônio Corrêa da Costa ‘Müller’  (Torino Calcio 1906 / Italy) [26 / 4]
9- Antônio de Oliveira Filho ‘Careca’  (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli / Italy) [41 / 21]

Coach: Sebastiano Lazaroni

Booked: Carlos Dunga 53^rd

Other Subs:

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

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, 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)

Notes:

-Match number 463 for Italy and number 531 for Brazil.

-This was the 10th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations, as well as the previous match on neutral soil and Italy’s previous victory, was the World Cup Finals match at Barcelona’s Sarria Stadium on July 5, 1982 that Italy won 3 to 2.

Italian player: Giuseppe Bergomi was present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

He replaced Fulvio Collovati in the 34^th minute in that match.

This is Italy‘s last victory to date over Brazil.

Franco Baresi was a member of the 1982 squad, though he did not play.

Brazil’s Careca was part of the original Brazil 1982 World cup squad, but was ruled out just prior to the tournament through injury.

Italy manager Azeglio Vicini was one of Enzo Bearzot’s assistants.

-The previous match between the nations and Brazil’s previous victory was also on neutral soil, The World Cup Third Place match on June 24, 1978 at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental that Brazil won 2 to 1.

-The previous match between the nations on Italian soil was a Friendly on June 9, 1973 at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico that Italy won 2 to 0.

-The next match between the nations, also at a neutral venue, would be the World Cup Final on July 17, 1994 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium in California that ended in a scoreless tie, but Brazil won penalty kick shootout 3 to 2.

Italy players: Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Nicola Berti and Roberto Baggio and Brazil players: Taffarel, Jorginho, Aldair, Dunga and Mazinho were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Mazinho was booked in that match.

Brazilian Dunga scored from his penalty kick attempt, while Baresi and Baggio missed for Italy.

Dunga and Baresi captained their respective sides.

-The only previous time, that the nations played on Brazilian soil was a Friendly on July 1, 1956 at Rio’s Maracana Stadium that Brazil won 2 to 0.

-Brazil’s next victories over Italy would be in 2009. The first would be a friendly at London’s Emirates Stadium on February 10, 2009, that Brazil won 2 to 0.

A few months later on June 21, 2009, during a Confederations Cup group match on June 21, 2009, Brazil won 3 to 0 at Tshwane/Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa.

Carlos Dunga was Brazil’s Manager in both matches.

-On October 1,^, 1989, the International Federation of Football Staticians had named Walter Zenga as the World’s Best Goalkeeper.

-Brazil’s Manager Sebastiano Lazaroni had been appointed as Brazil’s Manager on January 15, 1989.

He had controversially sought to ‘Europeanize’ Brazil’s tactics and playing style.

As stated in previous entries on this blog, Mauro Galvao was used as a sweeper even though he did not play that position for his club. This period is often referred to as ‘Dunga era’. The tough and combative Dunga was seen as a symbol of this rugged, physical and non-attractive playing style.

Lazaroni had won the Copa America just few months earlier on July 16, 1989.

This was Brazil’s first title in Copa America since 1949.

This was Brazil’s official title since the 1970 World Cup.

Brazil had qualified for the World Cup just the month before in two very bad tempered matches with Chile.

The first leg had led to sending off of Romario and the second leg on September 3 is famous for the firecracker incident with Chile’s goalkeeper Roberto Rojas.

-This 1989 match was the last match to date on Italian soil.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 3

(Gianluca Vialli, Aldair and Ricardo Rocha)

-On September 3, 1989, former Italian international Gaetano Scirea had been killed in a car accident on a supervising mission in Poland for Juventus.

-The match referee Helmut Kohl of Austria was namesake of then West German Chancellor. He passed away on September 26, 1991, aged 48. He officiated during the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

-This match was a high profile friendly, as Italy was preparing to host the World Cup the following summer. Bologna’s stadium was one of the venues for the World Cup matches.

Italy was the second nation after Mexico to host the World Cup twice. They had previously hosted in 1934.

-Italy were missing AC Milan’s Roberto Donadoni and Carlo Ancelloti.

Luigi De Agostini started at left back instead of ususal starter Paolo Maldini of AC Milan.

Also missing was Internazionale Milano striker Aldo Serena, who had been the top goalscorer of Serie A, the previous season.

-Prior to the match, Former Italy Manager Ferruccio Valcareggi and former International Angelo Schiavio were honored. Both were former Bologna players.

Schiavio scored Italy’s winning goal during the Final of 1934 World Cup. He passed away a few months later on April 17, 1990.

-Also in the audience were: Argentina Manager Carlos Bilardo, Spain Manager Luis Suarez, West Germany Manager Franz Beckenbauer, Yugoslavia Manager Ivica Osim, former Real Madrid great Francisco Gento and former Italy striker Paolo Rossi.

-Italy’s was in the midst of Baggio-mania after his impressive two-goal performance in Italy’s previous friendly vs. Bulgaria on September 20, 1989 (4 to 0 win). However, he was anonymous like most of his teammates for this match.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, January 1994

(Roberto Baggio)

-Brazil were missing Romario (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Mozer (Olympique Marseille), Claudio Branco (Porto) and Valdo (Benfica) who were not released by their European clubs.

Striker Bebeto (Vasco da Gama) was also missing, as well as defender Ricardo Raimundo Gomes (Benfica).

Bebeto and Romario had been the heroes of the 1989 Copa triumph.

Romario would suffer an injury in the New Year that sidelined him for many months and he just barely made the World Cup Finals squad, though he was clearly in no shape to start. Bebeto would lose his starting position by the time of the World Cup to Torino based Luis Muller.

-As far as this match itself, the Italian press remarked how Brazilians played like Italians and vice versa.

They noted how Brazil played with five defenders, four in a flat formation in front of one libero.

Brazil were considered superior opponents for that day.

-They played superior defensively unknown for a Brazilian up until then and generally controlled the match.

Italy’s Franco Baresi was considered the best player on the field that day.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Europe 1, Special Coupe du Monce , Italie 1990

(Franco Baresi)

-Brazil scored their winner on the 77^th minute from a curling free kick from substitute Andre Cruz who had just come on 7 minutes earlier in place of Aldair.

This was Andre Cruz’s first and only goal for Brazil.

This was Brazil’s first and up to date only win on Italian soil.

-Carlos Dunga was booked after protesting to the referee after a foul on Giannini.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, November 1989

(Gianluca Vialli, Silas and Dunga)

-Italy’s best chance was in the 59^th minute when Carnevalle hit the post after being sent clear by Giannini.

-The defensive nature of this match reflected the play during the upcoming World cup, where most teams played in a very defensive fashion.

-After the match, Lazaroni said he was satisfied with the progress of his team since the Copa and felt they would have been even stronger had the absent players been present.

-In the days leading up to this match, Lazaroni had observed World Cup qualifiers (October 4, West Germany 6-Finland 1), (October 6, Czechoslovakia 2-Portugal 1),  (October 8, East Germany 2-USSR 1), (October 11, Hungary 2-Spain 2 ).

-This was Italy’s first home loss since losing to Wales on June 4, 1988 at Brescia (0-1).

Italy’s next home loss would be a friendly vs. France on February 16, 1994 at Napoli (0-1 loss).

Note: The 1990 Semifinal penalty kick loss vs. Argentina was at home, but the match had ended in a 1-1 tie.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, October  18-24, 1989

(Gianluca Vialli and Ricardo Rocha)

-After conceding this goal, Walter Zenga did not concede a goal, until the World Cup Finals semifinal vs. Argentina on July 3, 1990 (1 to 1 tie, Penalty kick shoot-out Argentina win).

The Sequence of matches included:

November 11, 1989, Italy 1-Algeria 0

November 15, 1989, England 0-Italy 0

December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Argentina 0

February 21, 1990, Holland 0-Italy 0

March 31, 1990, Italy 1-Switzerland 0

May 30, 1990, Italy 0-Greece 0 (though unofficial)

June 9, 1990, Italy 1-Austria 0 (World Cup)

June 14, 1990, Italy 1-USA 0 (World Cup)

June 19, 1990, Italy 2-Czechoslovakia 0 (World Cup)

June 25, 1990, Italy 2-Uruguay 0 (World Cup)

June 30, 1990, Italy 1-Republic of Ireland 0 (World Cup)

In the World Cup itself, he did not concede a goal for 517 minutes.

-As the sequence above shows, Italy went through a goalscoring drought as well.

After this match and until the World Cup, Italy scored just two goals. Andrea Carnevalle, Roberto Mancini and Aldo Serena were the candidates vying for a starting spot alongside Gianluca Vialli in the attack.

However, due to the scoring problems, Italy called up the emerging Salvatore Schillaci prior to the World Cup as an extra option and he took the opportunity with open hands.

Photo From: World Soccer, Novem,ber 1989

(Silas and Roberto Baggio)

-Carlos Dunga is the current Brazilian national Team manager. He was also previously Manager from 2006 to 2010.

-Brazil’s Dunga, Alemao, Geovani, Muller and Careca were all playing for Italian Serie A clubs (except Muller who was in Serie B with Torino).

Dunga was teammates at Fiorentina with Roberto Baggio.

Alemao and Careca were teammates at Napoli with Ferrara, De Napoli, Carnevalle, Crippa and Luca Fusi.

Taffarell, Aldair, Mazinho and Silas would join Serie A clubs the following season. They joined Parma, Roma, Lecce and Cesena respectively.

Aldair would become teammates with Giannini at Roma.

Andre Cruz would eventually also end up playing in the Serie A many years later, playing for Napoli and AC Milan (with Paolo Maldini as a teammate) among others.

Silas would join Sampdoria in 1991 and become teammates with Vialli and Mancini.

-Brazil’s Geovani was the only Bologna player during the match; he came on the field two minutes from the end.

After the 1988 Olympics he was being proclaimed as Brazil’s next great hope, however, he did not live up to the hype and was benched by Lazaroni in the Copa America. He failed to make the World Cup finals squad. He appeared for Brazil in their next friendly on November 14, 1989 vs, Yugoslavia (scoreless tie) and played his final match in a friendly vs. Wales on September 11, 1991 (0-1 loss).

During his season at Bologna he was considered as one of the biggest foreign player flops.

-It was surprising that the Italian unused substitute Giancarlo Marocchi of Juventus did not see any playing time. Since, he was a former Bologna player (and future one as well) and he might have gotten the crowd more behind Italy.

-Of the Brazilian players on the field and on the bench, Geovani, Josimar and the goalscorer Andre Cruz failed to make the World Cup 1990 Finals squad.

Non-playing substitute Josimar, one of the revelations of the 1986 World Cup, was axed by Lazaroni after many off the field legal and personal problems.

-Luca Fusi and Massimo Crippa were the only Italians who did not make the World Cup 1990 Finals squad.

-Brazilians Taffarel, Mazinho, Mauro Galvao, Andre Cruz, Geovani, Tita, Acacio, Josimar, Aldair, Alemao, Dunga and Silas were part of the 1989 Copa America winning squad.

-Brazil’s Tita earned his first cap in 1979, Mauro Galvao earned his first cap in 1986, but was only called up again in early 1989 by Lazaroni.

-Brazil and Napoli midfielder Ricardo Alemao had briefly lost his starting position during the Copa America, but would regain it by the time of the World Cup. He was one of the strongest and vocal proponents of Lazaroni’s defensive tactics.

-Brazil’s Muller, Careca, Josimar, Alemao, Mauro Galvao and Silas were members of the 1986 World Cup Finals squad.

Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi, Fernando De Napoli, Gianluca Vialli and Walter Zenga were members of Italy’s 1986 World Cup Finals squad.

Photo From: World Soccer, Novem,ber 1989

(Andrea Carnevalle between Mazinho and Andre Cruz)

-Brazil’s Taffarell, Jorginho, Ricardo Rocha, Dunga, Aldair, Mazinho and Muller were members of the 1994 World cup winning squad.

Italy’s Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Nicola Berti, Roberto Baggio were their Final opponents that day on July 17, 1994.

Brazil’s Mazinho earned his last cap for Brazil at that match.

-Mazinho is the father of current Bayern Miunich and Spanish international Thiago Alcantara. His other son, Rafinha Alcantara has opted for Brazil.

After joining Lecce for the 1990/91 season, he joined Fiorentina for 1991/92 season.

-Italy’s previous match at this venue was for a friendly vs. Greece (2-0 win) on October 8, 1986. This was Azeglio Vicini’s inaugural match for Italy.

Zenga, Bergomi, Baresi, De Napoli, Mancini, Vialli, Tacconi, Ferri and Giannini were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Bergomi scored both of Italy’s goals.

-Italy’s next match at this venue would be a European Championship qualifier on June 5, 1999 vs. Wales (4-0 win).

Paolo Maldini was present that day and scored one of Italy’s goals.

-Internazionale Milano players: Walter Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi, Riccardo Ferri and Nicola Berti won the Scudetto the previous season.

-Napoli’s Careca, Alemao, Ciro Ferrara, Fernando De Napoli, Luca Fusi, Andrea Carnevale and Massimo Crippa won the Scudetto at the end of the season. They had also won the 1989 UEFA Cup vs. Stuttgart in May 1989.

-AC Milan’s Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini won the Champions Cup at the end of that season vs. Benfica. They had also won the trophy the previous May vs. Steaua Bucharest.

-Sampdoria’s Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini won the Cup Winners Cup at the end of that season vs. Anderlecht. They had also won the Coppa Italia the previous season.

-Juventus’ Luigi De Agostini, Stefano Tacconi and Giancarlo Marocchi won the UEFA Cup at the end of that season as well as the Coppa Italia. Their UEFA Cup Final opponents were Fiorentina that included Dunga and Roberto Baggio.

-On May 18, 1990, Roberto Baggio was transferred from Fiorentina to Juventus for 13 Million Dollars. That became the most expensive player transfer at the time.

-Brazil manager Sebastiano Lazaroni was appointed as Fiorentina manager for the following season. Carlos Dunga was one of his players there.

-This was Brazil’s first match vs. European opposition since a makeshift squad toured Europe in June 1989 and lost three matches to Sweden (June 16, 1-2), Denmark (June 18, 0-4) and Switzerland (June 21, 0-1).

-Italy faced three South American teams in 1989 and did not win in any of the encounters:

April 22, 1989, Italy 1-Uruguay 1

October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1

December 21, 1989, Italy 0-Aregntina 0

-The entire Italian squad were home based, while for Brazil : Taffarel, Andre Cruz, Mauro Galvao, Ricardo Rocha, Mazinho, Tita, Acacio, Josimar and Bismarck were home based.

-After the Bosman ruling, the following Italian players played abroad: Zenga, Berti, Vialli, Giannini, Fusi and Mancini.

-Napoli teammates Luca Fusi and Ciro Ferrara were members of Juventus’ Scudetto winning squad of 1994/95 along with Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Baggio and Giancarlo Marocchi.

-The following season, Andrea Carnevalle would join AS Roma. However, early in the season he would be embroiled in a doping scandal with teammate Angelo Peruzzi and be suspended for a year.

Match Reports:

Guerin Sportivo, October 18-24, 1989\Seleccao Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf \ France Football, Issue 2271, October 17, 1989\ World Soccer, November 1989

Match Video / Highlights:

New Addition: Second Acts and comebacks, Part one

Players and managers who were supposed to be finished, but a transfer or other circumstances gave them a new lease on life

1- Ruud Gullit and Sampdoria, 1993

Ruud Gullit had endured an unhappy season at AC Milan (1992/93), where he had been mostly benched because of new foreign player restrictions that had allowed teams to sign as many foreigners, but only three could be on the field.

He had to compete with Papin, Savicevic and Boban to play alongside van Basten and Rijkaard.

During the season he even retired from the National team. He was considered finished and past his best when he joined Sampdoria managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

However, this move resurrected his career and was one of the best players of the season and scored many goals.

At the end of the season he returned to AC Milan, but then again returned to Sampdoria midway through the season.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1994

(Ruud Gullit, October 24, 1993, Torino 2-Sampdoria 3)

2- Paul Breitner and West Germany 1981

Paul Breitner had not played for West Germany since 1975 after being omitted for a qualifier vs. Bulgaria in November.

He had been playing for Real Madrid and after a number of years he had returned to the Bundeliga via Eintracht Braunschweig and Bayern Munich.

In his second stint at Bayern, now a midfielder, he had forned a lethal partnership with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

In 1981, West German Manager Jupp Derwall recalled Breitner to the national team and just like Bayern, he and Rummenigge became the undisputed leaders of the team.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 38, February 1979

(Paul Breitner at Bayern Munich, 1978/79)

3- Giuseppe Bergomi and Italy 1998

Following the exit of Azeglio Vicini in late 1991, Inter defender Giuseppe Bergomi was not called up by successor Arrigo Sacchi and his national team career seemed to be over.

However, during the 1997/98 season, he was impressive to such a point that Cesare Maldini included him for the 1998 World Cup at the age of 34.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 16, February 1999

(Giuseppe Bergomi with Internazionale Milano)

4- Peter Beardsley and Newcastle United, 1993

After Graham Taylor was appointed England, Manager Liverpool’s Peter Beardsley played a handful of matches and was not called up again. His Liverpool days were also over after Graeme Souness took charge. He was out of the limelight for a few years while playing for Everton.

However, in the summer of 1993, he rejoined his former club Newcastle United who had just been promoted with Kevin Keegan at the helm. He formed a very good partnership with striker Andy Cole and both scored many goals. When Terry Venables took over as England Manager, there was much public clamor for his recall. He was recalled for Venables’ first match in charge (March 9, 1994, England 1-Denmark 0) and stayed in the England set up for the next couple of years.

Photo From: Goal, October 1996

(Peter Beardsley celebrating a goal with Les Ferdinand in his successful second stint at Newcastle)

5- Miguel Tendillo and Real Madrid, 1987

Spanish defender Miguel Tendillo had been out of the national team set up since the end of the 1982 World Cup when Miguel Munoz took over.

The prospects looked even bleaker in 1986 when his club Valencia were relegated. He joined Real Murcia for one season only and then joined giants Real Madrid in 1987. Even then, not many could have predicted he would be a success. However, he was able to earn his way back to the national team and he played a few matches in 1988. He stayed at Real Madrid until 1992.

Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 11, February 1981

(Miguel Tendillo with Valencia in Cup Winners Cup matches vs. AS Monaco in Fall 1980)

Soccer Memories-Part 22

Rejected Talent: Future Stars, not good enough at youth level

(Note: I would like to once again thank http://www.zani.co.uk/ for uploading this article http://www.zani.co.uk/rejected-talent-future-stars-not-good-enough-at-youth-level )

When one looks at a top Football Player, logically the assumption is that they were exceptional talents as youth. In most cases that’s accurate, as one would have to possess gifts at a very young age to make it as a professional.

However, throughout Football history, there have been players whose gifts were not self-evident or were judged inadequate to succeed as professionals.

French Legend Michel Platini is such a case. Though he performed impressively as a 20 year old for his club Nancy, it is astonishing that Lorraine neighbors FC Metz rejected him.

There are two stories about this great oversight. In one version it was Metz’s Team Doctor, after a number of physical tests, judged Platini not adequate to succeed as a professional. In another version, Platini would only join if his father Aldo was also part of the package with a job (which he got at Nancy).

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 27, February 1979

(Michel Platini with Nancy, 1978/79)

Another technically gifted French Talent from the 1980s and 90s, David Ginola was turned down by OGC Nice. He had to make his name with Toulon before starring for Paris St Germain and Newcastle United later in his career.

Other French Internationals who had to take different routes to stardom include long time goalkeeper Joel Bats who was barred as a youth at Sochaux by the more experienced Albert Rust and had to go to Auxerre and also striker Xavier Gravelaine, a contemporary of Didier Deschamps as a youth at Nantes, who was also shown the door and had to make his way through the lower divisions before eventually playing for sides like Paris St Germain and Olympique Marseille.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 71, March 1986

(France goalkeeper Joel Bats)

In the early 1990s, Croatia’s Robert Prosinecki was considered to be one of the greatest young talents of World Football and was an International for Yugoslavia in his early 20s.

As a youth he was coached by future Croatia National Team Manager Miroslav Blazevic at Dynamo Zagreb. Blazevic was so unconvinced by his talents that he went on to declare that if Prosinecki ever became a good player he would tear off all his diplomas.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 28, May 1991

(Robert Prosinecki with Red Star Belgrade, 1990/91)

When it comes to Germans, Bayern Munich is a difficult place to break through, some of the notable casualties include future West German and Stuttgart defender Bernd Forster (brother of Karl-Heinz) and future Bordeaux defender and Manager Gernot Rohr. Both failed to make the grade in a team full of Internationals.

There is the peculiar case of Italian defenders Giuseppe Bergomi and Franco Baresi. Each player was rejected by one of the Milanese clubs to serve their entire career with the other Milanese club, Bergomi with Inter and Baresi with AC Milan. Incidentally, Franco Baresi’s brother Giuseppe was accepted by Inter.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 16, February 1999

(Internazionale Milano’s Giuseppe Bergomi)

Future Juventus defenders (both capped by Italy), Sergio Porrini and Gianluca Pessotto started at AC Milan’s youth teams but were released before making their breakthroughs at smaller teams.

Similarly another future Juventus and Italy International, midfielder Angelo Di Livio failed to make the grade at AS Roma and had to start out at the lower leagues.

Future Italy and AS Roma midfielder Luigi Di Biagio actually started at cross town rivals Lazio, but failed to make the grade.

Future Italy goalkeeper Francesco Toldo’s path was blocked at AC Milan, he therefore had to work his way up the lower leagues as well.

Defender Roberto Tricella was once seen as Gaetano Scirea’s heir apparent as Italy’s Libero under Enzo Bearzot; however, he was also rejected as a youth at Internazionale Milano before making a name for himself at Verona.

Similarly young Lazio striker Marco Di Vaio’s path was blocked by such talents as Signori and Casiraghi, therefore he had to work his way up the lower leagues as well.

When it comes to the British there are also many interesting cases. Future England Captain David Platt was rejected as a youngster at Manchester United. He had to go to Crewe and Aston Villa to achieve stardom.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1994

(David Platt st Sampdoria, 1993/94)

Welsh International, the controversial Robbie Savage is another of Manchester United’s famous failures.

Scottish legend Kenny Dalglish was rejected as a trainee at West Ham United for reasons that only they would know.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 22, October 1977

(Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, 1977/78)

Liverpool itself is also a tough place to break through especially during the competitive Shankly and Paisley eras. Future England International defender Dave Watson could not make it. He had to go through Norwich to eventually play for cross-town rivals Everton.

Republic of Ireland Midfielder Kevin Sheedy and Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton were also released during this era. Sheedy eventually made his name at cross-town rivals Everton, while Magilton starred for Southampton.

Arsenal under George Graham was guilty of dispensing prolific striker Andy Cole and International defender Martin Keown. Though, Graham bought back Keown some six years later.

In Spain, Real Madrid is a tough jungle and many talented players had to make headway elsewhere blocked by International quality stars.

Hipolito Rincon is such a case, unable to make the first team; he joined Real Betis and was one of Spanish Leagues best goalscorers of the 1980s.

The list goes on: Ismael Urzaiz, Alvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado, Alfonso Perez, Dani Garcia, Miguel Pardeza, and Sebastiano Losada.

These young Spaniards had to succeed away from Real’s tough environment.

I presume the lesson to be learned is to never give up after initial rejection.

Even the experts can be wrong or perhaps players need the right environment to flourish.

They need the less pressured atmosphere of a smaller club where they will get playing opportunities rather than being confined to the bench, way behind the pecking order.

 

Old Team Photographs-Part 22e

Photo From: Onze, Issue 121,  January 1986

(Nancy squad, 1985/86, Top, left to right: Adriano Fegic, Bruno Germain, Jean-Luc Arribart, Jean-Luc Fournier, Vincent Ge, Stephane D’Angelo, Arsene Wenger, Eric Pegorer, Albert Cartier , Didier Casini, Vincent Jacquemin, Laurent Kirmann ,Bottom, left to right: Aldo Platini, Patrick Gabriel, Pascal Harmand, Eric Martin, Didier Phillipe, Francois Zahoui, Louis Marcialis, Bruno Lalevee, Stephane Chevalier, Fabrice Picot, Francis Targon (assitant coach))

Photo From: Onze, Issue 110, February 1985

(Bordeaux squad on tour of Japan, 1985)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 73, January 1982

(Mexico squad 1981)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 84, March 1987

(Torpedo Moscow squad 1987)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 81, December 1986

(Juventus squad 1986/87)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 63, June 1985

(Hungary squad, Top, left to right:  Tibor Nyilasi, Peter Disztl, Antal Nagy, Imre Garaba, Joszef Kardos, Zoltan Peter, Jozsef  Kiprich, Lajos Detari, Sandor Sallai, Marton Esterhazy, Antal Roth, April 17, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Austria 0-Hungary 3)

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 33, August 1979

(Strasbourg squad, 1979/80, Top, left to right: Carlos Bianchi, Remi Vogel, Leonard Specht, Dominique Dropsy, Francosi Bracci, Jean-Jacques Marx, Raymond Domenech, Rene Deutschmann, Jacques Novi, Patrick Ottmann , Bottom, left to right: Andre Wiss, Jean-Francois Jodar, Michel Decastel, Wagner, Francis Piasecki, Joel Tanter, Roger Jouve )

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 21, August 1978

(Colombian squad Millonarios, 1978)

Photo From: L’Equipe Magazine, June 18, 1994

(River Plate squad, 1940s)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, October 17-23, 1990

(Club Brugge squad, 1990/91)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, April 28-May 3, 1983

(Benfica squad, 1982/83)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, April 26-May 2, 1989

(Bayer Leverkusen squad, UEFA Cup winners 1988)

Photo From: Goal, January 1997

(Liverpool squad, 1961/62)

Photo From: Goal, Issue 20, May 1997

(Liverpool squad, Top, left to right: Bruce Grobbelaar, Mark lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan, Ian Rush, Alan Hansen, Steve McMahon, Gary Gillespie, Barry Venison, John Wark, Jim Beglin, Steve Nicol,September 30, 1986, Screensport Super Cup, Everton 1-Liverpool 4)

Photo From: Goal, Issue 12, September 1996

(Barcelona squad, 1986/87)

Photo From: Fussball Woche, February 23, 1976

(West Germany squad, Top, left to right: Franz Beckenbauer, Norbert Nigbur, Bernhard Cullmann, Karl-Heinz Körbel, Erwin Kostedde, Rainer Bonhof, Bernd Hölzenbein, Bernhard Dietz,  Heinz Flohe, Josef Pirrung, Hans-Hubert ‘Berti’ Vogts , December 22, 1974, EC Qualifier, Malta 0-West Germany 1)

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, December 1988

(West Germany Under-20 squad, Top, left to right: Adrian Spyrka, Marcel Witeczek, Michael Klinkert, Jurgen Luginger, Detlev Dammaier, Andreas Moeller, Bottom, left to right: Martin Schneider, Andreas Clauss, Thomas Epp, Gunther Metz, Alexander Strehmel, October 15, 1987, Under-20 World Cup, West Germany 3-Bulgaria 0)

Photo From: France Football, September 21, 1982

(Nantes squad, 1982/83, Top, left to right: Jean-Paul Bertrand-Demanes, Seth Adonkor, Willaim Ayache, Michel Rio, Jose Toure, Maxime Bossis , Bottom, left to right:  Thierry Tusseau, Bruno Baronchelli, Oscar Muller, fabrice Picot, Vahid Halilhodzic)

Photo From: France Football, September 10, 1991

(Nantes squad, 1991/ 92, Top, left to right: David Marraud, Eddy Capron, Jean-Michel Ferri, Japhet N’Doram, Laurent Guyot, Zoran Vulic, Joel Henry, Garcia, Middle, left to right:  Daguillon, Thierry Bonalair, Marcel Desailly, Nicolas Ouedec, Jean-Louis Lima, Jorge Burruchaga, Thierno Youm, Georges Eo (Assistant coach), Bottom, left to right: Bryand (physician), Stephane Ziani, Saint Guily, Reynald Pedros, Christian Karembeu, Jean-Jacques Eydelie, Patrice Loko, Jean-Claude Suaudeau (Manager) )

Photo From: France Football, June 7, 1983

(Nantes squad, 1982/83)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997

(Juventus squad, 1996/97, Top, left to right: Ciro Ferrara, Christian Vieri, Mark Iuliano, Alessio Tacchinardi, Angelo Peruzzi, Paolo Montero, Bottom, left to right: Zinedine Zidane, Attilio Lombardo, Didier Deschamps, Angelo Di Livio, Alen Boksic)

Photo From: Foot Magazine, October 1989

(Charleroi squad, 1969, Top, left to right: Licien Spronck, Jean-Marie Termolle, Jean-Paul Spaute, Andre Colasse, Claude Collard, Antonio Tosini ,Bottom, left to right: Jean-Marie van Laecke, Rene Delchambre, Claude Bissot, Georget Bertoncello,Marcel van den Bosscche)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 40, April 2001

(Internazionale Milano squad, 1988/89, Top, left to right: Salvatore Nobile, Andrea Mandorlini, Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Bergamo, Corrado Verdelli, Aldo Serena, Gabriele Baraldi, Giuseppe Bergomi , Middle, left to right:  G. Della Casa, Ildebrando Stafico, Dario Morello, Raffaelle Paolino, Castellini (goalkeeper coach), Venturi (assistant coach), Giovanni Trapattoni, Fumagalli, Rocco, Giuseppe Baresi, Lothar Martthaus, M. Della Casa , Bottom, left to right: Gallo, Ramon Diaz, Gianfranco Mateolli, Astutillo Malgioglio, Walter Zenga, Luca Mondini, Massimo Ciocci, Alessandro Bianchi, Andreas Brehme)