Tonight’s Confederations Cup match between Italy and Brazil brings back memories of their legendary 1970 World Cup final, which was played exactly 39 years ago.
The Azzurri reached the final after an epic 4-3 semi-final victory over West Germany, but succumbed 4-1 to a Pele-inspired Selecao at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Ahead of the clash this evening, Goal.com's partners at partofthegame provide a video of the 1970 classic.
While modern day greats such as Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon and Kaka will be on show in South Africa tonight, 39 years ago it was all-time legends such as Giacinto Facchetti, Gigi Riva, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto, and of course Pele who were delighting the crowds in Mexico.
Will the class of 2009 serve up a treat worthy of those from 1970?
After labouring to a 3-1 win over ten-man USA, Italy appeared to be in the driving seat to qualify for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. But, as usual, the Azzurri proved unable to cruise through the group stage of an international competition without slipping on the classic banana skin.
Marcello Lippi’s men committed hara-kiri against a very organized Egypt side that had already given the Selecao a big scare on Monday, only succumbing to a late Kaka penalty in a 4-3 thriller.
Once again, the World Champions looked devoid of ideas and struggled to create clear-cut chances in a dismal first half. And the Egyptians made the most of Italy’s familiar defensive frailties, which were exposed again when Homos was allowed to leap, undisturbed by markers, to head home a corner.
Despite some late huffing and puffing, Italy were hopelessly unable to break down the Egyptians and now risk an early exit from the competition.
Nonetheless, the Azzurri’s fate is still in their own hands, as they would secure passage to the semi-finals by defeating Brazil by a two-goal margin on Sunday, regardless of Egypt’s result in their final game against the Americans.
But it is frankly hard to imagine Lippi’s ‘old men’, whom he so strenuously defends to deflect attention from the plethora of young talent he continues ignoring, keeping a clean sheet against the flamboyant Brazilians.
Brazil Turn On The Style
After a topsy-turvy debut against Egypt, the Selecao steamrollered the USA on Thursday in a 3-0 win which virtually booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Carlos Dunga’s troops made light work of the Americans and took a two-goal lead within 20 minutes through Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo and Manchester City striker Robinho.
Inter wing-back Maicon, who played his first full match since suffering a muscular injury last March, rounded off the result in spectacular fashion in the second half after exchanging passes with new Real Madrid signing Kaka.
“I'm happy with the way things have turned out,” Maicon said after the encounter.
“Especially after two months working to recover from my injury. I trusted in my potential and I'm glad the coaches gave me an opportunity to play from the start.”
The South Americans will now just need a draw against Italy to secure top spot in Group B and probably avoid European champions Spain in the next round.
Brazil currently lead the group with six points, while Italy are on three with a three-goal difference separating them from the Selecao. This means a two-goal defeat by Italy on Sunday could see Dunga’s men crash out of the competition if Egypt overcome the USA by three clear goals.
But statistics smile on Brazil who have not tasted defeat against the Azzurri since 1982, when Italy triumphed 3-2 in Barcelona on their way to winning their third World Cup.
Brazil prevailed 2-0 in a friendly international played in London last February to take the lead in the head-to-head with six victories to their name. Italy have five and there have also been two draws.
