1995
25-03-1995, Salerno (QE)
Italy-Estonia 4-1
goals: 45’ Zola, 58’ Albertini, 65’ Zola, 71’ Reim, 82’ Ravanelli
Italy: Peruzzi, Negro, Carboni, Albertini, P. Maldini, Minotti, Eranio (56’ Lombardo), D. Baggio, Del Piero (69’ Berti), Zola, Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Estonia: Poom, Lemsalu, Kirs, T. Kallaste, Olumets, Lindmaa. Kallaste, Linnumae, Kristal, Lell (77’ Pari), Krom (68’ Reim). Ct: R. Ubakivi.
Referee: Philippi (Luxembourg).
29-03-1995, Kiev (QE)
Ukraine-Italy 0-2
goals: 11’ Lombardo, 37’ Zola
Ukraine: Tyapushkin, Luzhnyi (56’ Bukel), Telesnenko, Khomin, Evtushok, Orbu, Mizin, Kalitvintsev, Shevcenko, Leonenko, Konovalov (77’ Pokhlebaev). Ct: A. Konkov.
Italy: Peruzzi, Welcome, P. Maldini, Albertini, Apolloni, Minotti, Lombardo (73’ Conte), Di Matteo, Casiraghi (61’ Ravanelli), Zola, Berti. Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Puhl (Hungary).
26-04-1995, Vilnius (QE)
Lithuania 0-1
Network: 11’ Zola
Lithuania: Stauce, Ziukas, Sukristovas, Tereskinas, Vainoras, Suika, Gudaitis (70’ Poderis), Ivanauskas, Apanavicius (46’ Preiksaitis), Skarbalius, Slekys. B. Zelkevicius.
Italy: Pagliuca, Welcome, P. Maldini, Di Matteo, Costacurta, Minotti, Lombardo, Conte (22’ D. Baggio), Casiraghi, Zola, Crippa (85’ Berti). Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: McCluskey (Scotland).
19-06-1995, Lausanne (AM)
Switzerland 0-1
Network: 55’ Casiraghi
Switzerland: Pascolo, Hottiger, Quentin, Vega, Geiger, Henchoz, Fournier (64’ Colombo), Ohrel, Grassi (60’ Knup), Sforza, Türkyilmaz (74’ Zuffi). Ct: R. Hodgson.
Italy: Pagliuca (46’ Bucci), Ben arrivo, Carboni, Albertini (46’ D. Baggio), Apolloni (49’ Ferrara), Minotti, Lombardo (32’ Eranio), Di Matteo, Casiraghi, Statuto (71’ Del Piero), Signori. Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Merk (Germany).
21-06-1995, Zurich (AM)
Germany 2-0
goals: 3’ Helmer, 37’ aut P. Maldini
Germany: Köpke, Reuter, Ziege, Babbel, Helmer, Sammer, Freund, Kirsten, Kuntz (82’ Bobic), Häsler, Heinrich. B. Vogts.
Italy: Pagliuca, Welcome (46’ Carboni), P. Maldini, Di Matteo, Ferrara, Minotti (46’ Petruzzi), Eranio (57’ Statute), Albertini, Casiraghi, Zola (65’ Signori), Berti (46’ Del Piero). Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Detruche (Switzerland).
06-09-1995, Udine (QE)
Italy-Slovenia 1-0
Network: 13’ Ravanelli
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara, Carboni, Albertini Tacchinardi, Costacurta, Di Livio, Di Matteo, Zola (60’ R. Baggio), Del Piero (46’ Signori), Ravanelli (80’ D. Baggio). Ct: A. Bags.
Slovenia: Zupan, Poljsac, Galic, Milanic, Jermanis, Zahovic (57’ Becaj), Ceh, Cvikl (77’ Valentincic), Kokol (46’ Binkovski), Udovic, Gliha. Ct: Z. Verdenik.
Referee: Gadosi (Slovak Republic).
08-10-1995, Split (QE)
Croatia-Italy 1-1
goals: 29’ Albertini, 49’ Suker rig.
Croatia: Ladic, Jurcevic (46’ Kozniku), Pavlicic, Jerkan, Stimac, Mladenovic, Asanovic, Boban, Stanic, Boksic, Suker. Ct: Blazevic.
Italy: Bucci, Ferrara (83’ Welcome), P. Maldini, Albertini, Costacurta, Apolloni, Di Livio, Di Matteo, Zola (10’ Toldo), Del Piero (86’ Crippa), Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Uilenberg (Netherlands).
11-11-1995, Bari (QE)
Italy-Ukraine 3-1
goals: 19’ aut. Ferrara, 21’ and 49’ Ravanelli, 54’ P. Maldini
Italy: Peruzzi, Welcome, P. Maldini, Albertini, Ferrara, Costacurta, D. Baggio (46’ Crippa), Di Matteo, Zola (65’ Simone), Del Piero (87’ Carboni), Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Ukraine: Suslov, Luzhnyi, Skipnik, Gorily (15’ Evtushok), Bezhenar, Orbu, Kalitvintsev, Polunin, Sharan (51’ Popov), Nagornyak (72’ Pokhlebaev), Guseinov. Ct: A. Konkov.
Referee: Muhmenthaler (Switzerland).
15-11-1995, Reggio Emilia (QE)
Italy-Lithuania 4-0
goals: 52’ aut. Suika, 65’ and 81’ Zola, 83’ aut. Vainoras
Italy: Peruzzi, Mussi, P. Maldini (72’ Carboni), Albertini, Ferrara, Costacurta, Statute (46’ Zola), Di Matteo, Simone, Del Piero, Casiraghi (46’ Ravanelli). Ct: A. Bags.
Lithuania: Stauce, Stonkus, Ziukas, Vainoras, Rimkus, Tereskinas, Suika (79’ Vencevicius), Preiksaitis, Skarbalius, Maciulevicius (46’ Zvingilas), Ivanauskas (59’ Zutautas). B. Zelkevicius.
Referee: Diaz Vega (Spain).
1996
24-01-1996, Terni (AM)
Italy-Galles 3-0
Gol: 1’ Del Piero, 50’ Ravanelli, 77’ Casiraghi
Italy: Peruzzi (46’ Toldo), Ferrara (46’ Torricelli), Carboni, Albertini, Apolloni, Costacurta, Di Livio (79’ Crippa), Di Matteo (23’ Conte), Zola, Del Piero (73’ Casiraghi), Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Wales: Southall, Jenkins, Williams, Phillips, Coleman, Horne, Symons, Hodges (57’ Browning), Speed (77’ Blake), Hughes, Rush (63’ Taylor). Ct: R. Gould.
Referee: Goethals (Belgium).
29-05-1996, Cremona (AM)
Italy - Belgium 2-2
goals: 5’ Claeys, 11’ aut. Carboni, 25’ Del Piero, 55’ Chiesa
Italy: Peruzzi, Mussi, Carboni, Albertini, Ferrara (46’ Torricelli), Apolloni, Di Livio (46’ Chiesa), Di Matteo, Zola, Del Piero (65’ D. Baggio), Ravanelli (46’ Casiraghi). Ct: A. Bags.
Belgium: Van de Walle, Crasson (46’ Verjans), Medved, Renier, Leonard, Claeys, Staelens, Van Kerckhoven (64’ Snoekx), Scifo, Verheyen (78’ Lauwers), Oliveira. W. van Moer.
Referee: Zuppinger (Switzerland).
01-06-1996, Budapest (AM)
Hungary-Italy 0-2
goals: 7’ Casiraghi, 47’ aut. Banfi
Hungary: Hajdu, Mracsko, Plokai, Banfi, Sebok (80’ Hahn), Nagy (39’ Aranyos), Urban (85’ Telek), Lisztes (74’ Illes), Balog, Torma, Vincze (70’ Egressy). J. Csank.
Italy: Peruzzi (46’ Toldo), Torricelli, Carboni (46’ Fuser), Albertini (70’ Rossitto), P. Maldini (46’ Apolloni), Costacurta, Di Livio, Di Matteo, Casiraghi, Del Piero (64’ Donadoni), Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Beusan (Croatia).
11-06-1996, Liverpool (EU)
Italy-Russia 2-1
goals: 4’ Casiraghi, 21’ Tsymbalar, 51’ Casiraghi
Italy: Peruzzi, Mussi, P. Maldini, Albertini, Costacurta, Apolloni, Di Livio (61’ Fuser), Di Matteo,Casiraghi (79’ Ravanelli), Del Piero (46’ Donadoni), Zola. Ct: A. Bags.
Russia: Cherchesov, Tetradze, Onopko, Bushmanov (46 Yanovski), Kovtun, Kanchelskis, Radimov, Mostovoj, Karpin (62’ Kiryakov), Tsymbalar (70’ Dobrovolsky), Kolyvanov. Ct: O. Romantsev.
Referee: Mottram (Scotland).
Notes: Thirty years after the world championships, England returns to organize a great event of "football": it is the Europeans, that Italy of Sacchi is convinced to live as protagonist. The debut is encouraging: at the Anfield Road in Liverpool, the Azzurri offer a great kick against Russia. The victory arrives punctually with a double of Casiraghi, which appears in an embodiment.
14-06-1996, Liverpool (EU)
Czech Republic 2-1
goals: 4’ Nedved, 18’ Chiesa, 35’ Bejbl
Czech Republic: Kouba, Latal (87’ Nemecek), Hornak, Kadlec, Suchoparek, Nemec, Poborsky, Bejbl, Nedved, Berger (63’ Smicer), Kuka. D. Uhrin.
Italy: Peruzzi, Mussi, P. Maldini, Albertini, Costacurta, Apolloni, Fuser, D. Baggio (38’ Carboni), Chiesa (77’ Zola), Donadoni, Ravanelli (57’ Casiraghi). Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Lopez Nieto (Spain).
Notes: Three days later it replicates in the same stadium against the Czech Republic. Sacchi thinks he's making some of the protagonists of success on the Russians to put fresh forces in place. They stay so out of Casiraghi and Zola to insert Ravanelli and Church, but the beautiful toy breaks. Nedved gives the cuki advantage after 4 minutes, Church draws after a quarter of an hour, but Bejbl punishes us with the goal that is worth defeat.
19-06-1996, Manchester (EU)
Italy-Germany 0-0
Italy: Peruzzi, Mussi, Carboni (77’ Torricelli), Albertini, P. Maldini, Costacurta, Fuser (81’ Di Livio), Di Matteo (68’ Chiesa), Casiraghi, Donadoni, Zola. Ct: A. Bags.
Germany: Köpke, Strunz, Freund, Sammer, Helmer, Ziege, Hässler, Eilts, Möller (89’ Bode), Klinsmann, Bobic. B. Vogts.
Referee: Goethals (Belgium).
Note: At this point, to qualify for the quarterfinals, you must beat Germany at the last round of C, scheduled for the Old Trafford in Manchester. The fact that the Germans are already qualified is to hypothesize a certain appendage. The Blues play a good match. Zola has on his feet the goal of qualifying, but it is made to parare from Koepke a penalty kick and Italy of Sacchi surrenders to the unfavorable tradition of Europeans. At the final of Wembley, the two opponents who have eliminated us: Germany and the Czech Republic. The Germans never fail the important appointments and return to the continental throne with two goals of Oliver Bierhoff, the centerpiece of Udinese, that Vogts fishing from the bench.
05-10-1996, Chisinau (QM)
Moldova-Italy 1-3
goals: 8’ Ravanelli, 12’ Curtianu, 69’ Casiraghi, 87’ Ravanelli rig.
Moldova: Romanencu, Secu, Toloconicov, Culibaba, Testimitanu, Gaidamasciuc, Curtianu (51’ Miterev), Epureanu, Sischin, Rebeja (78’ Rogaciov), Clescenco. Ct: I Caras.
Italy: Toldo, Nesta, P. Maldini, Carboni (70’ Zola), Ferrara, Costacurta, Conte, Di Matteo, Casiraghi, Chiesa (46’ Di Livio), Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Grabher (Austria).
09-10-1996, Perugia (QM)
Italy-Georgia 1-0
Network: 43’ Ravanelli
Italy: Toldo, Pessotto, P. Maldini, Carboni (17’ Zola), Nesta, Ferrara, Di Livio (82’ Panucci), Conte (60’ D. Baggio), Casiraghi, Di Matteo, Ravanelli. Ct: A. Bags.
Georgia: Zoidze, Lobianidze, Tskhadadze, Sheila, Kudinov (46’ Inalishvili), Kobiashvili, Gogichaishvili, Nemsadze, Ketsbaia, Kinkladze, Gogrichiani (30’ R. Arveladze). Ct: A. Chivadze.
Referee: Blareau (Belgium).
06-11-1996, Sarajevo (AM)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1
Gol: 5’ Salihamidzic, 10’ Chiesa, 43’ Bolic
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Dedic, Konjic (74’ Pintul), Begic, Jasarevic, Sabic (71’ Dadic), Glavas, Halilovic (61’ Kapetanovic), Salihamidzic, Beserevic, Bolic (63’ Brkic), Balic (60’ Music). Ct: F. Musurovic.
Italy: Toldo (46’ Marchegiani), Carnasciali, Torricelli (70’ Apolloni), Albertini, P. Maldini, Padalino, Di Matteo (46’ Giunti), D. Baggio (46’ Lentini), Casiraghi (46’ Ravanelli), Zola, Chiesa (46’ Simone). Ct: A. Bags.
Referee: Sedlacek (Austria).
1997
22-01-1997, Palermo (AM)
Italy-Northern Ireland 2-0
9’ aut. Wright, 88’ aut. Wright.
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara, Carboni, Albertini, P. Maldini, Costacurta (72’ Cannavaro), Di Livio (79’ Eranio), D. Baggio, Casiraghi (58’ Ravanelli) Di Matteo (58’ Fuser), Zola (62’ Del Piero). Ct: C. Maldini.
Northern Ireland: Wright, Griffin, Hunter, Taggart, Worthington, McCarthy (83’ Dennison), Lomas, Morrow, Horlock, Hughes (70’ Rowland), Quinn (60’ O’ Boyle). B. Hamilton.
Referee: Fröhlich (Germany).
12-02-1997, London (QM)
England 0-1
Network: 19’ Zola
England: Walker, G Neville, Campbell, Pierce, Beckham, Batty (88’ Wright), Ince, McManaman (76’ Merson), Le Saux, Shearer, Le Tissier (61’ Ferdinand). Ct: G. Hoddle.
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara, P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio, Di Matteo, Casiraghi (76’ Ravanelli), D. Baggio, Zola (90’ Fuser). Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Puhl (Hungary).
29-03-1997, Trieste (QM)
Italy-Moldavia 3-0
goals: 24’ P. Maldini, 45’ Zola, 50’ C. Vieri
Italy: Peruzzi, Nesta (33’ Cannavaro), P. Maldini, Albertini, Ferrara Costacurta, Di Livio (75’ Eranio), D. Baggio, C. Vieri (68’ Padovano), Di Matteo, Zola. Ct: C. Maldini.
Moldova: Romanenco, Fistican, Toloconicov, Culibaba, Testimitanu, Gaidamasciuc (61’ Cebotari), Sischin, Epureanu, Curtianu, Spinu (89’ Suharev), Clescenco. Ct: I Caras.
Referee: Veissière (France).
02-04-1997, Chorzow (QM)
Poland-Italy 0-0
Poland: Wozniak, Ledwon, Wojtala, Zielinski, Skrzypek, Baluszynski (66 Kaluzny), Waldoch, Nowak (46’ Sokolowski), Swierczewski (45’ Kowalczyk), Citko, Juskowiak. Ct: A. Piechniczek.
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara, P. Maldini, D. Baggio, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio, Fuser (84’ Carboni), C. Di Matteo, Zola. Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Nielsen (Denmark).
30-04-1997, Napoli (QM)
Italy-Poland 3-0
goals: 24’ Di Matteo, 38’ P. Maldini, 62’ R. B.
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara (85’ Panucci), P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio, D. Baggio (85’ Fuser), Ravanelli, Di Matteo, Zola (51’ R. Baggio). Ct: C. Maldini
Poland: Wozniak, Ledwon, Wojtala, Zielinski, Skrzypek, Baluszynski (65’ Hajto), Waldoch (46’ Majak), Nowak, Kaluzny, Citko, Kucharski (46’ Warzycha). Ct: A. Piechniczek.
Referee: Garcia-Aranda Encinar (Spain).
04-06-1997, Nantes (TF)
England 2-0
goals: 26’ Wright, 43’ Scholes
England: Flowers, Keown, Southgate, Pearce, P. Neville, Beckham, Ince, Scholes, Le Saux (46’ G. Neville), Sheringham (78’ Gascoigne), Wright (76’ Cole). Ct: G. Hoddle.
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara (46’ Nesta), Ben arrivo, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio (46’ Maini), Di Matteo (17’ Fuser), Casiraghi, D. Baggio, Zola. Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Benkö (Austria).
08-06-1997, Lyon (TF)
Italy-Brazil 3-3
Gol: 6’ Del Piero, 23’ aut. Aldair, 35’ aut. Lombardo, 61’ Del Piero rig., 72’ Ronaldo, 84’ Romario
Italy: Pagliuca, Panucci, P. Maldini (88’ Di Livio), Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Lombardo, Di Matteo, C. Vieri (59’ Inzaghi), D. Baggio (46’ Fuser), Del Piero. Ct: C. Maldini.
Brazil: Taffarel, Cafu, Aldair, Celio Silva, Roberto Carlos, Denìlson, Dunga, Mauro Silva (62’ Flavio Conceição), Leonardo, Romario, Ronaldo. Ct: Zagalo.
Referee: Muhmenthaler (Switzerland).
11-06-1997, Paris (TF)
France 2-2
goals: 12’ Zidane, 61’ Casiraghi, 73’ Djorkaeff, 90’ Del Piero rig.
France: Charbonnier, Thuram, Leboeuf, Desailly (85’ N’Gotty), Lizarazu, Ba, Deschamps, Zidane, Karembeu (66’ Vieira), Dugarry, Maurice (64’ Djorkaeff). Ct: A. Jacquet.
Italy: Pagliuca, Nesta, P. Maldini, Di Matteo, Cannavaro, Costacurta (46’ Torrisi), Lombardo, Di Livio, Casiraghi (77’ C. Vieri), Del Piero, Zola (55’ Panucci). Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Lopez Nieto (Spain).
10-09-1997, Tbilisi (QM)
Georgia-Italy 0-0
Georgia: Togonidze, Shekiladze, Tskhadadze (20’ Kaladze), Shelia, Chikhradze, A. Arveladze (78’ Daraselija), Kavelashvili, Ketsbaia, Kinkladze (65’ Gogichaishvili), Kobiashvili, S. Arveladze. - Kipiani.
Italy: Peruzzi, Nesta, P. Maldini, D. Baggio, Ferrara, Cannavaro, Lombardo (73’ R. Baggio), Di Matteo, C. Vieri (65’ Casiraghi), Di Livio, Zola (80’ Inzaghi). Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Pedersen (Norway).
11-10-1997, Roma (QM)
Italy-England 0-0
Italy: Peruzzi, Nesta, P. Maldini (32’ Welcome), Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio, D. Baggio, C. Vieri, Zola (64’ Del Piero), Inzaghi (46’ Chiesa). Ct: C. Maldini.
England: Seaman, Campbell, Adams, Southgate, Beckham, Ince, Gascoigne (Butt 87’), Batty, Le Saux, Sheringham, Wright. Ct: G. Hoddle.
Referee: Van Der Ende (Netherlands).
29-10-1997, Moscow (QM, shooting)
Russia-Italy 1-1
goal: 49’ C. Vieri, 52’ aut. Cannavaro
Russia: Ovcinnikov, Radimov, Chugainov, Popov (80’ Thikonov), Yanovsky, Kovtun, Onopko (42’ Zvejba), Alenichev, Yuran, Kolyvanov, Kanchelskis (46’ Khokhlov). Ignatiev.
Italy: Pagliuca (32’ Buffon), Nesta, P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Pessotto (54’ Welcome), D. Baggio, C. Vieri, Di Matteo, Ravanelli (60’ Del Piero). Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Mikkelsen (Denmark).
15-11-1997, Napoli (QM, spareggio)
Italy-Russia 1-0
Network: 53’ Casiraghi
Italy: Peruzzi, Ferrara, P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Pessotto (77’ Nesta), D. Baggio, Casiraghi, Di Matteo, Ravanelli (77’ Del Piero). Ct: C. Maldini.
Russia: Ovcinnikov, Khokhlov, Kovtun, Nikiforov, Onopko, Popov, Alenichev, Radimov (66’ Semak), Yanovsky (60’ Simutenkov), Yuran (79’ Beschastnyhk), Kolyvanov. Ignatiev.
Referee: Muhmenthaler (Switzerland).
1998
28-01-1998, Catania (AM)
Italy-Slovacchia 3-0
goal: 49’ aut. Timko, 53’ Del Piero, 64’ Di Matteo
Italy: Peruzzi, Nesta, P. Maldini (62’ Torricelli), D. Baggio, Ferrara, Costacurta, Di Livio (46’ Moriero), Di Biagio (55’ Cois), Ravanelli (66’ Inzaghi), Di Matteo, Del Piero (72’ Chiesa). Ct: C. Maldini.
Slovakia: Vencel, Balis (69’ Sovic), Karhan, Kozak (83’ Dzurik), Timko, Tittel, Spilar, Dubovski, Koziej (52’ Ujlaki), Moravcik (69’ Zvara), Jancula (52’ Luhovy). Jankech.
Referee: Agius (Malta).
22-04-1998, Parma (AM)
Italy-Paraguay 3-1
goals: 5’ P. Maldini, 17’ Moriero, 61’ aut. Costacurta, 68’ Moriero
Italy: Peruzzi (46’ Buffon), Nesta (56’ Sartor), P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Moriero, D. Baggio, C. Vieri (56’ Casiraghi), Di Matteo (46’ Di Biagio), Del Piero (74’ Ravanelli). Ct: C. Maldini.
Paraguay: Chilavert, Sarabia, Gamarra, R. Rojas, Arce, Enciso, Aguilera (46’ Brizuela), Caniza, Ramirez (80’ Yegros), Benitez, Acuna. Ct: Carpegiani.
Referee: Sars (France).
02-06-1998, Gothenburg (AM)
Sweden 0-1
Network: 90’ Andersson
Sweden: Hedman, R Nilsson, P. Andersson, Bjorklund (46’ M. Nilsson), Kamark, Mild, Larsson, Schwarz, Soderström (62’ A. Andersson), K. Andersson, Petterson. Ct: Soderberg.
Italy: Pagliuca, Nesta, P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta (72’ Bergomi), Di Livio (46’ Moriero), Di Biagio, Ravanelli, Di Matteo (84’ Pessotto), R. Baggio. Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Hauge (Norway).
11-06-1998, Bordeaux (MO)
Italy-Cile 2-2
goals: 10' Vieri, 45' and 49' Salas, 85' R. Baggio rig.
Italy: Pagliuca, Nesta, P. Maldini, Albertini, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Di Livio (62’ Chiesa), D. Baggio, Vieri (71' Inzaghi), Di Matteo (57’ Di Biagio), R. Baggio. Ct: C. Maldini.
Chile: Tapia, Villaroel, Reyes, Fuentes, Margas (64' Miguel Ramirez), Rojas, Acuna (82' Cornejo), Parraguez, Estay (81' Sierra), Zamorano, Salas. Ct: Acosta.
Referee: Bouchardeau (Niger).
Notes: Four years after the final lost to U.S. '94 rigors against Brazil, Italy presents itself to the French World Cup with renewed hopes. Supported, these are from an all-in-one draw favorable to the Azzurri that, in the first phase of the World Cup, must be seen with Austria, Chile and Cameroon. The debut is scheduled for 1' 11 June in Bordeaux against Chile, which in '62 in the year when it was the host country, defeated Italy in a game of little bureaucratic. The Azzurri do not go beyond the tie (2-2): in advantage with Vieri after just ten minutes of race, Italy is first reached and then surpassed by a doublet of Salas, just purchased from Lazio, so it manages to tie with Roby Baggio on rigor five minutes from the end.
17-06-1998, Montpellier (MO)
Italy-Cameroon 3-0
goals: 7' By Biagio, 75' and 89' Vieri
Italy: Pagliuca, Nesta, P. Maldini, Albertini (62’ Di Matteo), Cannavaro, Costacurta, Moriero (84’ Di Livio), D. Baggio, Vieri, Di Biagio, R Baggio (65' Del Piero). Ct: C. Maldini.
Cameroon: Songo'o, Ndo, Njanka, Kalla, Song, Wome, Angibeaud, Mboma (66' Tchami), Olembe, Ipoua (46' Job), Omam Biyik (66' Eto'o). Ct: Leroy.
Referee: Lennie (Australia).
Notes: In the game after the debut, that with Cameroon against which Italy drew to the World Cup of 82, changes the music: a beautiful victory, with goals of Di Biagio and doubletta di Vien that does not admit replicas.
23-06-1998, Montpellier (MO)
Italy - Austria 2-1
Gol: 48' Vieri, 89' R. Baggio, 90' Herzog rig.
Italy: Pagliuca, Nesta (4' Bergomi), P. Maldini, D. Baggio, Cannavaro, Costacurta, Moriero, Pessotto, Vieri (60' Inzaghi), Di Biagio, Del Piero (73' R. Baggio). Ct: C. Maldini.
Austria: Konsel, Mahlich, Schottel, Feiersinger, Pfeffer, Wetl, Pfeifenberger (79' Herzog), Reinmayr, Kuhbauer (74' Stoger), Polster (62' Haas), Vastic. Ct: Prohaska.
Referee: Durkin (England).
Notes: The National conquered the passage to the quarters on Tuesday, June 23 against Austria (2-1), thanks again to the goals of Vieri and Roby Baggio.
27-06-1998, Marseille (MO)
Italy-Norway 1-0
Network: 18' Vieri
Italy: Pagliuca, Costacurta, P. Maldini, Albertini (72' Pessotto), Cannavaro, Bergomi, Moriero (62' Di Livio), Di Biagio, Vieri, D. Baggio, Del Piero (77''' Church). Ct: C. Maldini.
Norway: Grodas, Berg, Eggen, Johnsen, Byornebye, H. Flo (73' Solskjaer), Mykland, Rekdal, Leonhardsen (12' Strand, 39' Solbakken), Riseth, T. A. Flo. - Olsen.
Referee: Heynemann (Germany).
Notes: Cesare Maldini leads a compact and efficient group, which has in Vieri the team's diamond tip. The goals are not lacking, seven of them mark the Azzurri in this first phase and, after having beaten to the eighty Norway for 1-0 always with goal of Vien, in the quarters Italy must face the host team, that France that will become World Champion and that two years later will be conferred to the Europeans of Belgium and Holland defeating in the final just Italian National.
03-07-1998, Paris (MO)
France-Italy 4-3 (to rigori)
Rigori sequence: Zidane goals, R. Baggio goals, Lizarazu parato, Albertini parade, Trezeguet goals, Costacurta goall, Henry goals, Vieri goals, Blanc goals, Di Biagio traversa.
France: Barthez, Thuram, Blanc, Desailly, Lizarazu, Karembeu (Henry from 65'), Deschamps, Zidane, Petit, Guivarc'h (65' Trezeguet), Djorkaeff. Jacquet.
Italy: Pagliuca, Cannavaro, P. Maldini, D. Baggio (52' Albertini), Costacurta, Bergomi, Moriero, Di Biagio, Vieri, Pessotto (Di Livio dal 90'), Del Piero (67' R. Baggio). Ct: C. Maldini.
Referee: Dallas (Scotland).
Note: At Saint Denis Cesare Maldini, he does not risk the pair of discord and leaves Roberto Baggio still on the bench, preparing a fierce marking for the inmate Zidane, with his partner Pessotto standing on him. Starting at the fulmicotone: Pagliuca saves on Petit, Vieri misses the head goal. Then, our goalkeeper is still decisive on Guivarc'h, which in the shooting breaks a zygom to the heroic Cannavaro, without that the bad Dallas (yet he) notice. Finally Baggio enters for a stralunato Del Piero, and in the additional Roby lacks of a breath the golden goal, with a right volée, on assist of Albertini, that lambisce il palo. Just at 120' Pagliuca saves face to face on Djorkaeff.
Then we go to the infamous rigori: Baggio scores, Pagliuca para su Lizarazu, Barthez rejects Albertini, Djorkaeff prefers not to pull against his teammate, who knows him perfectly, at the end of the day is the Romanesque Di Biagio to center the crossing and to bring down the curtain on the blues, which, for the third time consecutive, leave again. Little curiosity: the French goalkeeper Barthez does not immediately notice the error of Di Biagio, in fact snouted by the shooting that hits the cross, believes that the ball has entered and that the shouts of joy are those of the Italian spectators, only after seeing his festive companions heading towards him realizes the mistake of the blue midfielder.
05-09-1998, Liverpool (QE)
Wales-Italy 0-2
Gol: 19' Fuser, 77' Vieri
Wales: Jones, Robinson, Williams, Symons, Coleman, Barnard, Johnson, Giggs, Speed, Blake (65' Saunders), Hughes (76' Savage). Gould.
Italy: Peruzzi, Panucci, Pessotto, Fuser, Cannavaro, Iuliano, Di Francesco (85' Serena), D. Baggio, Del Piero (75' R. Baggio), Albertini (66' Di Biagio), Vieri. D. Zoff.
Referee: Hauge (Norway).
10-10-1998, Udine (QE)
Italy-Switzerland
goals: 19' and 61' Del Piero
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Torricelli, Fuser, Cannavaro, P. Maldini, Di Francesco (61' Bachini), D. Baggio, Del Piero (70' Totti), Albertini, F. Inzaghi. D. Zoff.
Switzerland: Hilfiker, Vogel, Vega, Wolf (65' Chassot), Henchoz, Rothenbuler, Wycky (86' Celestini), Sforza, Mueller, Sesa, Chapuisat. - Gress.
Referee: Sars (France).
18-11-1998, Salerno (AM)
Italy-Spain 2-2
goals: 14' Inzaghi, De Pedro 33', 74' Inzaghi, Raul rig. 82.
Italy: Peruzzi, Panucci (45' Torricelli), Favalli (60' Pessotto), Fuser (46' Chiesa), Cannavaro, P. Maldini, Di Francesco, D. Baggio (46' Tommasi), Totti, Albertini (46' Di Biagio), F. Inzaghi. D. Zoff.
Spain: Canizares (83' Toni), Salgado, Marcelino, Paco, Sergi, Etxeberria (46' Dani), Engonga (46' Helguera), Alkiza (46' Valeron), De Pedro (63' Aranzabal), Raul, Urzaiz (89' Sanchez). Ct: Camacho.
Referee: Meese (Belgium).
16-12-1998, Roma (AM)
Italy-FIFA World Stars 6-2
Gol: 9' F. Inzaghi, 20' Batistuta, 22' Weah, 36' Di Francesco, 43' Fuser, 57', 79' and 87' Chiesa
Italy: Peruzzi (46' Buffon), Panucci, P. Maldini (65' Pessotto), Fuser, Cannavaro (46' Torricelli), Nesta (40' Negro), Di Francesco (46' Bachini), D. Baggio (46' Cois), Totti (55' Chiesa), Albertini (46' Tommasi), F. Inzaghi (46' Delvecchio). D. Zoff.
FIFA World Stars: Pagliuca (46' Shorumnu), Ze Maria, Hierro (55' Nakata), Nyathi, Rui Costa (46' Bierhoff), Dunga (65' Joao Pinto), Zidane (46' Hernandez), Winter (46' Guerrero), Weah, Batistuta (46' Salas), Ronaldo (32' Suker). Ct: Parreira and Venglos.
Referee: Harrel (France).
1999
10-02-1999, Pisa (AM)
Italy-Norway 0-0
Italy: Peruzzi, Panucci (46’ Torricelli), Maldini, D. Baggio (46’ Cois), Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta (62’ Totti), Di Francesco, Delvecchio, Albertini, R. Baggio (81’ Chiesa).
D. Zoff.
Norway: Myhre, Heggem, Bergdolmo, Solbakken (67’ Strand), Bragstad, Johnsen, Rekdal, Rudi, Solskjaer (90’ Carew), Mykland, H. Flo (75’ Riseth).
Ct: Semb.
Referee: Mejuto Gonzales (Spain).
27-03-1999, Copenhagen (QE)
Denmark-Italy 1-2
Gol: 1’ F. Inzaghi, 56’ Sand, 68’ Conte
Denmark: Schmeichel, Helveg, Heintze, Goldbaek (83’ Colding), Høgh, Henriksen, Grønkjaer (53’ Molnar), A. Nielsen (77’ Tøfting), Sand, Thomsen, Jørgensen.
Ct: Johansson
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Maldini, D. Baggio, Cannavaro, Nesta, Fuser (46’ Conte), Di Biagio, Chiesa (63’ Totti), Di Francesco, F. Inzaghi.
D. Zoff.
Referee: Lopez Nieto (Spain).
31-03-1999, Ancona (QE)
Italy-Bielorussia 1-1
goals: 24’ Belkevich, 31’ F. Inzaghi rig.
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Maldini, D. Baggio, Cannavaro, Nesta, Conte, Di Biagio (46’ Giannichedda), F. Inzaghi, Totti (46’ Di Francesco), Chiesa (64’ R. Baggio).
D. Zoff.
Belarus: Tumilovich, Yakhimovich, Gurenko, Ostrovski, Lavrik, Lukhvich, Orlovski, Belkevich, Makovski, Romachenko, Baranov.
Ct: Vergheenko.
Referee: Pairaux (Belgium).
28-04-1999, Zagreb (AM)
Croatia-Italy 0-0
Croatia: Ladic, Simic, Juric, Milinovic (46’ Kovac), Stanic (69’ I. Cvitanovic), Soldo, Asanovic (73’ Jurcic), Jarni, Vlaovic, Boksic (46’ Maric), Rapajc (69’ Tudor).
- Blazevic.
Italy: Buffon, Panucci (63’ Pancaro), Nesta, Negro, Maldini Fuser (46’ Zambrotta), Albertini, Ambrosini (46’ Giannichedda), Di Francesco (57’ Conte), Vieri, Inzaghi (79’ Totti).
D. Zoff.
Referee: Dardenne (Germany).
05-06-1999, Bologna (QE)
Italy-Galles
goals: 7’ Vieri, 37’ Inzaghi, 40’ Maldini, 89’ Chiesa
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Negro, Cannavaro, Maldini, Fuser (69’ Di Livio), Albertini, Conte, Di Francesco, Vieri (46’ Montella), Inzaghi (80’ Chiesa).
D. Zoff.
Wales: Jones, Robinson (77’ Jenkins), Page, Melville, Williams, Barnard, Bellamy (79’ Pembridge), Hughes, Speed, Saunders (46’ Hartson), Giggs.
Gould.
Referee: Steinborn (Germany).
09-06-1999, Lausanne (QE)
Switzerland-Italy 0-0
Switzerland: Huber, Hodel, Mueller, Wicky (69’ Haas), Jeanneret (77’ Di Jorio), Vogel, Sforza, Rothenbuehler, Sesa, Chapuisat, Comisetti (55’ Celestini).
- Gress.
Italy: Buffon, Panucci (69’ Pancaro), Negro, Cannavaro, Maldini, Fuser (60’ Di Livio), Conte, Albertini, Di Francesco, Vieri (60’ Chiesa), Inzaghi.
D. Zoff.
Referee: Poll (England).
08-09-1999, Napoli (QE)
Italy-Denmark 2-3
goals: 10’ Fuser, 39’ Vieri, 40’ Jørgensen rig., 57’ Wieghorst, 64’ Tomasson
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Pancaro, Fuser, D. Baggio (46’ Giannichedda), Albertini, Di Francesco (70’ Conte), Inzaghi, Vieri (77’ Totti).
D. Zoff.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Colding, Høgh, Henriksen, Heintze, Helveg (52’ Goldbaek), A. Nielsen, Tofting (52’ Wieghorst), Jørgensen, Tomasson (85’ Schjowberg), Sand.
Ct: Johansson
Referee: Jol (Netherlands).
09-10-1999, Minsk (QE)
Belarus-Italy 0-0
Belarus: Shantalosov, Gurenko, Lukhvic, Jakhimovic, Tarlovski, Orlovski, Maksim, Romaschenko (46’ Makovski), Ostrovski, Ciajka, Gerasinets (89’ Kulchy), Baranov.
Ct: Borovsky.
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Maldini, Conte, Nesta, Cannavaro, Moriero, Di Biagio, Vieri (81’ Del Piero), Zambrotta, Inzaghi.
D. Zoff.
Referee: Colombo (France).
13-11-1999, Lecce (AM)
Italy - Belgium 1-3
goals: 7’ De Bilde, 26’ Vanoli, 69’ Wilmots, 86’ Goor
Italy: Buffon, Panucci (46’ Iuliano), Ferrara, Cannavaro, Fuser (71’ Pessotto), Albertini, D. Baggio, Vanoli, Totti (78’ Locatelli), Del Piero, Inzaghi (68’ Montella).
D. Zoff.
Belgium: Gaspercic, Genaux, Peeters, Staelens, Van Kerckhoven (89’ Clement), M. Mpenza (70’ Verheyen), Vanderhaege, Wilmots (87’ Walem), Goor, De Bilde, Strupar (81’ Brogno).
Ct: Waseige.
Referee: Steinborn (Germany).