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sumitsehrawat
June 7th, 2008, 08:46 PM
Three Big Team Losses For Italy In 78 Years


Source: http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=724529

If Italy are to win Euro 2008 they will have to do it the hard way after being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’. Carlo Garganese investigates Italy’s record against the big teams…

At Euro 2004 Italy exited the tournament at the group stages despite being unbeaten and obtaining five points. The Azzurri finished level on points with both Denmark and Sweden, but were controversially eliminated due to having an inferior head-to-head record to the Nordic neighbours.

Many people believe that with Holland and France in the Azzurri’s group, that an identical scenario could arise at Euro 2008. In light of this it is quite clear that Italy will have to beat either Holland or France if they are to guarantee (assuming Romania are overcome) progression into the knockout stages.

So what is Italy’s record against the big teams in major international tournaments?

First of all it is important to note that over the years there will always be golden periods for different sides, but for the sake of argument let’s accept that the footballing superpowers are Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Holland, and England.

Italy’s record against these teams over the years is, at first glance, pretty sensational. Since the first World Cup 78 years ago, Italy have only lost three games in major international tournaments DURING 90 MINUTES. These were the 4-1 defeat to Brazil in 1970, the 2-1 loss to Holland in 1978 and the 2-0 second round exit to France at Mexico ’86.

In a total of 28 games against the big nations, during normal time, Italy have won nine, drawn 16 and lost three. They have not lost to a big nation for 22 years. Argentina, Brazil and France left them heartbroken on penalties in successive World Cups in the 90s, while David Trezeguet’s golden goal did the damage in the final of Euro 2000.

Furthermore, despite Italy’s rather shaky European Championships history, they have never lost a game in the competition to a big team during regulation time. This is all pretty impressive stuff you would say, and enough to leave Azzurri fans feeling pretty confident going into a Euros that could also see Roberto Donadoni’s men play Spain in the quarters, France again in the semis, before Germany in the final.

However, as stated above, it is highly likely that Italy will have to win at least one of their group games against Holland or France in order to qualify for the last eight. Two draws may not be good enough. Recent history though tells us that two points from these games is very possible.

The Azzurri’s last seven matches against big teams in major tournaments have all ended in a tie after 90 minutes, with five of these finishing goalless. These include the World Cup final against Brazil in 1994, the Germany group game at Euro ’96, the penalty loss to France in ’98, the Euro 2000 epics against Holland and France, as well as the matches against Germany and Les Bleus two years ago.

The last time Italy beat a top team in 90 minutes was the quarter final of USA ’94, when Roberto Baggio worked his magic to hit an 89th minute winner against Spain. Indeed discounting the rather meaningless 2-1 third and fourth playoff win against England at Italia ’90, the Azzurri have only beaten a top side twice in regulation time in the last 25 years, the other also being against Spain at Euro ’88. Thus 10 of Italy’s last 14 matches have ended level.

To continue the negative trend, Italy have not beaten France in any competition, friendlies included, for 30 years, with four major cup matches being contested during this time. As for Holland, Italy have never triumphed over them in a World Cup or Euros, although they have only met twice. The first was in Argentina ‘78, when the Dutch, thanks to some astonishing long-range shooting, won 2-1. The other of course was at Euro 2000, which Italy won on penalties thanks to the heroics of Francesco Toldo.

Thus there are two ways to view Italy’s past record against the football superpowers. Three defeats in 78 years should leave you supremely confident going into Euro 2008. However the fact that Italy have drawn so many of these recent games, especially when it is clear they will have to beat either Holland or France, is a cause for concern.