World Cup Memories: Bergomi, Baresi & Carnavaro

For the last 4 decades or so, Italy's world cup campaigns have shown a simple pattern; they would reach the final after every 12 years, alternating victories with defeats. The 4-1 thrashing in 1970 against Pele's brazil in 1970 was followed by a thumping 3-1 win over West Germany in 1982; the penalty loss in USA 1994 was compensated 12 years later with the shoot our success against the unlucky French. If this trend continues, then Italy would be the runners up in Russia 2018.

Most of Italy's successes in recent decades have come based on their solid defense. Back in the 1960's, Inter Milan used the 1-4-3-2 system successfully; giving greater importance to defense than the attack. And the Italian national team used this tactic well, reaching the final at Mexico 1970. Even in the big final, against the mighty Brazil; their tactics worked well for more than an hour; but at the end; the Brazilians had just too much skills. Still, there was no disgrace in losing to such a fine team, and the Italy and Inter defender Burgnich produced one of the most famous football quotes at the end of the match. Regarding Pele he said; ‘' I told myself before the game 'he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else'- but I was wrong.''

The Italy defense distinguished themselves extremely well in the other three finals, conceding just 2 goals in almost 6 hours of football. One of the two goals was a consolation goal for Breitner in the 1982 final, the other was a penalty converted by Zidane early in the 2006 final. These displays by the solid Italian defense had received rich admiration from the pundits; and while many question the Azzuri attitude; no one questions the effectiveness of their tactics. In the three finals, three defenders came in to limelight; and here I look at the trio, Bergomi, Baresi, and Carnavaro.

Gusepe Bergomi was only 18 when he was included in the Italian team for the 1982 WC. He started the tournament in the subs bench, but was called to duty when Scirea, their ever reliable defender was banned from the SF after picking up his 2nd yellow in the tournament. Against Poland, Bergomi combined well with the fellow defenders, Gentile, Cabrini and Collovatti to ensure a clean sheet for the Azzuris, and at the other end Rossi scored twice to take Italy in to the finals. With Scirea available for the final, Bergomi was expected to return to the bench. But, Italy's attacking midfielder Antognoni limped off during the SF against Poland, and he was unfit for the finals. In true Italian style, Italy replaced him with a defender. So, for the big final Italy returned back to the 1-4-3-2 system of the 1970 WC. Scirea was the last defender, while Bergomi was given the duty of marking Rummenigge.

So, the 18 year old was given the duty of marking perhaps the best footballer in Europe at the time. Yet, in the final we saw very little of Rummenigge, as Bergomi won the battle. By the time the Germans found the Italy net, via Paul Breitner, Italy had already scored three times, and Rummenigge, the inspirational; German skipper had been substituted. Bergomi was definitely helped by a number of factors. First, Rummenigge was not fully fit for the final, and it was only the lack of match winning players in the German camp which forced him to start the final. Secondly, the Italian midfield easily outplayed their German counterparts. Tardelli and Orialli were helped by Conti, who started the match from a deeper position than usual. In this context, Bergomi's job became easier, but nothing should be taken away from him.

For almost 20 years, from 1980 to the end of the century Bergomi was like a pillar in the Inter Milan defense; looking equally at home in the center of defense, or as a right full back. Yet, playing at a time when the bitter rivals AC Milan dominated the European football, he perhaps didn't win as many silver-wares as he would have liked. Still, his place among the legends of Italian football is unquestionable; and Pele did include him name in his list of top 125 footballers of the world.

Franco Baresi was also in the 1982 team, but didn't feature in any match. Later in the decade, he became an integral part of the brilliant AC Milan side. But his most important contribution in international football came in the 1990's. In Italy, 1990; he played brilliantly at the center of the defense; and he soon took over the national team captaincy duty from Bergomi. In 1994, Italy under Baresi started badly losing to a spirited Ireland side at the start; after narrowly avoiding defeat against Nigeria in the round of 16; they showed their strength with 2-1 victories over Spain and Bulgaria, and to set up a repeat of the 1970 final against Brazil.

For the final, Baresi took the job of marking Brazil's leading marksman, Romario, So, another epic battle started between defense and attack, back in 1982, the age was in favor of the defense, here it was opposite. Yet, Baresi, 34 defied his age. This was first WC match between the two teams since that famous match in Espana 1982; and the Latin Americans were keen to take revenge. Yet, they found the Italian defense appear like a Chinese wall; led superbly by their skipper, the Italian defense completely subdued both Romario and Bebeto. Dunga and Co. was certainly winning the battle in the midfield, but despite having the lion's share of the possessions the Brazil side failed to create many chances; simply because the opposition defense was just too tight. For 2 hours, Baresi and company seemed impregnable. Yet, Baresi became a villain, when he missed Italy's first penalty in the shoot out. He was a poor selection for the first kick; after 2 hours of donkey work he was just too tired. So, the world cup title eluded Baresi's Italy' but his position among the list of greatest central defenders of all time is permanent. And, he too made it to the Pele list.

Fabio Carnavaro, nicknamed ‘The Berlin Wall' was the captain of the Italy team in 2006; and he was the kingpin in the Azzuri defense. His job in the event became more difficult following the injury to his defense partner Nesta; yet Carnavaro applied himself superbly as Italy finished the event conceding only two goals. One of those two came early in the final; as Zidane converted a spot kick; yet italy soon equalized, and after this we saw the Italy defense shut out the French forwards superbly. The French, superbly marshaled by Zidane, looked full of ideas in the midfield; yet inside the Italy box, it was Carnavaro and Co. who dominated. Italy eventually won in the penalty shoot out .

Although Zidnane narrowly won the golden boot award for the 2006 WC, Carnavaro was adjudged the footballer of the year, 2006; a rare achievement for a central defender.