On Sunday, Italy will reach for the European title.
Marco Tardelli hit the Germans in the heart in the 1982 World Cup final - now his successors should cheer as exuberantly as he does.
Munich - Marco Tardelli should be familiar to every German.
At the 1982 World Cup final, the Italian scored the 2-0 (final score 3-1) for the Squadra Azzurra.
However, his jubilation remained in the memory: With wide-open eyes, clenched fists and wild shaking of his head, Tardelli ran screaming across the square.
In the
tz
interview, the now 66-year-old remembers the unforgettable night in Madrid and reveals why the Italians * will be cheering again on Sunday in the EM * final:
Italy versus England - what kind of game will this be?
Tardelli: I said from the start that this Italy would reach the final.
I was only wrong about my opponent: France.
England * has fond memories for me, especially when I think back to EURO 1980, when we won thanks to a goal from me.
A historic duel.
It is the first final for England in 55 years and they play in their own stadium.
An advantage?
Tardelli: In a way, yes, although it is also true that Denmark did not suffer too much from the pressure at Wembley.
What do you think about the Raheem Sterling penalty?
Tardelli: A very dubious 911.
Not to say: strange.
Let's leave it at that.
(laughs)
How can Italy embarrass the English?
Tardelli: About midfield.
If we dominate there, we'll win the game.
Italy is the team that played the best in this tournament.
We may have shown a little tiredness against Spain, but it was perfect up until then.
Against Spain, however, Italy also showed that it can also become the old Italy if the opponent steals the ball from them.
Tardelli: Right.
They have shown that they can do everything.
A respectable playing system, but also a somewhat more defensive orientation, if the opponent does not allow it otherwise.
A player who is particularly fond of you?
Tardelli: Nicolo Barella, without a doubt.
I love that he never gives up, he plays with passion and knows how to attack and defend.
He embodies modern Italy like no other.
The Italian project starts after missing the 2018 World Cup. Was this end decisive?
Tardelli: First of all, congratulations to Mancini!
Sometimes an era begins, sometimes ends - in this case in a traumatic way.
Mancini started this cycle by betting on young players.
He was sharply criticized for this, but was spot on in the end.
Speaking of the end of an era: What do you think of the German team?
Tardelli: I didn't expect Germany to be eliminated so quickly - even if it wasn't necessarily the strongest German team in recent years.
However, they have a large number of young players to get back to the top quickly.
Germany * is therefore not dead.
Germany and Tardelli - there was something.
Tardelli: My cheers after my goal in 1982. That was pure joy.
In a few seconds my whole footballing life passed me by: the setbacks, the injuries, the argument with my parents who didn't want me to play.
When the ball went in, it was all in front of my mind.
I'll never forget it.
Grosso celebrated similarly in 2006.
Who should let go of your cheers on Sunday?
Tardelli: Hopefully Barella!
One shot from the edge of the box, goal and we all scream with him.
Interview: Mirko Calemme - * tz.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.