Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 294 (Interview with English Author and Podcaster Mr. Rob Fletcher, discussing his book ‘The Final: In Pursuit of Greatness’ (2026))

 This is the 294^th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

 

For this episode, I interview English Author and Podcaster Mr. Rob Fletcher, discussing his book ‘The Final: In Pursuit of Greatness’ (2026).

 

This book discusses the 1994 Champions League Final between AC Milan and Barcelona.

 

Mr. Fletcher is the editor of Boro Mag, a podcast and publication about Middlesbrough FC. He has written for many outlets such as The Football Pink, KIT Magazine, Futbolista among others.

 

His other books include: ‘1992: The Birth of Modern Footbal’ (2023) and ‘Chaos, Controversy and THAT Kung-Fu Kick: 94/95 The Premier League's Most Dramatic Season’ (2024).

 

 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Fletcher’s contact info:

Twitter (X): @rob_fletcher_

Twitter (X): @90s_writer

Twitter (X): @boro_mag

Bluesky: @robfletcher.bsky.social

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/boromag

Link to Mr. Fletcher’s books:

https://www.amazon.com/Final-Pursuit-Greatness-Rob-Fletcher/dp/1836802900

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Rob-Fletcher/author/B0BXQNC2ZS?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6iUeFU4QzzlofIhtHYSzbu?si=OFNccK0hSeKg8DCp6SCBnA&nd=1&dlsi=398ee686b49d4ca2

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-294-interview/id1601074369?i=1000774402245

Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 272 (Interview with Max Lombardia of the MLM Podcast, as we discuss AC Milan during the Arrigo Sacchi era (1987-1991))

 This is the 272^nd episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

 

For this episode, I interview English podcaster Mr. Max Lombardia, as we discuss AC Milan during the Arrigo Sacchi era (1987-1991).

 

Mr. Lombardia is one of the hosts of the AC Milan related podcast, the MLM Podcast.

 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Lombardia’s contact info:

Twitter (X): @LombardiaMax

Twitter (X): @MLMpodcast01

Substack: https://maxlombardia.substack.com/

Substack: https://substack.com/@maxlombardia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_lombardia

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17861000232228433/

Podcast Website: https://acmilanmlmpodcast.podview.com/

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ckseIlV7Ia79RN8VbIUMh?si=F8TqDVSBQZa-PZD28bUAEg&nd=1&dlsi=cf10a0609b8d48c8

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-272-interview/id1601074369?i=1000764590116

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 (68^th 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 (37^th 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 (40^th 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 (71^st 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)