Ex-Italy and Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini says two Azzurri, enjoying for Inter and Milan, ‘hid behind the bench’ to keep away from taking a penalty kick within the 1994 World Cup Last in opposition to Brazil.
Milan legend Albertini revealed that two of his Italy teammates had been unwilling to step up for a penalty within the shootout of the 1994 World Cup Last in opposition to Brazil, which the Azzurri went on to lose.
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Brazilian gamers run to hitch their teammates as Italian midfielder Roberto Baggio bows his head after he missed his penalty kick giving Brazil a 3-2 victory within the shoot-out session (0-0 after additional time) on the finish of the World Cup last, 17 July 1994 on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Brazil received its fourth World Cup title after 1958, 1962 and 1970. AFP PHOTO/OMAR TORRES (Picture credit score ought to learn OMAR TORRES/AFP through Getty Pictures)
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“I used to be 22 and had my complete profession forward of me. I had the recklessmess and, carefree perspective of the youngest within the group. Sacchi requested me if I felt as much as taking a penalty, and I went with out considering,” Albertini instructed Gazzetta, through
“Whereas there have been those that hid behind the bench simply to keep away from taking one. I’ll by no means say their names, however one performed for Milan and the opposite for Inter.”
Nicola Berti was the one Inter participant in that workforce, whereas Milan had two, Paolo Maldini and Roberto Donadoni. The latter had already missed a penalty in a World Cup semifinal defeat in opposition to Argentina 4 years earlier, throughout Italia 90.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 20: FIGC Technical Sector President Demetrio Albertini attends the Italian Soccer Federation ‘Panchina D’Oro’ Awards Ceremony at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 20, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Pictures)
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One other painful second in Albertini’s profession got here lower than ten years later, additionally with the Azzurri: “The worst second was dropping the Euro 2000 Last in opposition to France with the golden purpose. It actually damage to see the final actual likelihood to win one thing with the nationwide workforce slip away like that,” he stated.
A former midfielder for Milan, Barcelona, Lazio, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid, Albertini received the Serie A title 5 occasions and the Champions League thrice at Milan.
9 Dec 1992: AC Milan Gamers Demetrio Albertini, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten type a wall within the European Cup match in opposition to PSV Eindhoven. AC Milan received the match 2-1. Obligatory Credit score: Chris Cole/Allsport
Albertini made 79 appearances with the Italy nationwide workforce, the final one in a pleasant in opposition to England in 2002. The previous midfielder scored three targets with the