"It's not every day 80 years old, so it's time to take stock of what has been and what will remain to be done. I have been a lucky person because I have gradually achieved all my dreams as a child. The pinnacle of my career is Italy- Germany 4-3, I was a good midfielder at the time."
Giancarlo 'Picchio' De Sisti, 80 years old today, vice world champion in Mexico '70 and Italian champion with Fiorentina in the 1968-69 season, celebrates on Radio Anch'io Sport on Rai Radio 1. Pelè the greatest of all ?
" Alas yes, I think he is the strongest of all. On equal terms with Maradona, Pele had a header and was ambidextrous. In my opinion, this characterizes the completeness of a champion compared to another champion".
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Class and discretion, 80 years of 'Picchio' De Sisti - Sport
A life between Rome and Florence, from the Viola Scudetto to the 4-3 of the Azteca.
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And he talks about the level of our championship: "Continuity - adds De Sisti - is lacking in several teams. The level is discreet, even if not like that seen at the World Cup: in Qatar the small national teams have grown, while the big ones have disappointed overall. it cannot be said that we are experiencing a moment of polish. Let's hope that the Italians do well in Europe, in Italy Napoli play better than everyone else".
The problems of Italian football and the national team: "In Italy they don't focus too much on young players, even if I understand that the federation is making a capillary selection, Mancini is working quite well. However, the missed qualifications for the World Cup were two blows to the liver , a country as big as Italy in terms of football cannot stay out".
What feature of today's football would you have liked to cross into football a few years ago?
"If I didn't recognize myself in the mirror, I'd say salaries (laughs, ed). Now we play faster, more coaching football, the methodologies have changed. Football has changed a lot in its essence, both inside and outside the stadium. Almost one can speak of another discipline".
Closing with the clearest memory of the 1970 world final: "The team fought until the 71st minute, then collapsed after Brazil's 3-1 win, there all resistance weakened and the disappointment was getting bigger, even if we were aware of having achieved an important result".