
Italy-France 2-1 (Lacombe 1', P. Rossi 29', Zaccarelli 54') Italy: Zoff - Gentile, Cabrini, Benetti, Bellugi, Scirea - Causio, Tardelli, P. Rossi, Antognoni (46' Zaccarelli), Bettega. Ct: Bearzot. France: Betrand-Demanes - Janvion, Bossis, Michel, Rio, Trésor - Dalger, Guillou, Lacombe (75' Berdoll), Platini, Six (76' Rouyer). Ct: Hidalgo. Not much was expected from Italy in Argentina. The team had shown rather dull performances before the competition, and it seemed that the Azzurri hadn't been able to form a world quality group, since the 1974 World Cup and the retirements of Riva, Rivera, Mazzola and Fachetti. Things seemed to get even worst as Italy conceded a goal in the very first minute of this opening game against France. Trailing by a goal so early on, Italy had now no options but to move to the attack. Bearzot, had made a last minute choice and selected two enthusiastic youngsters in his starting XI: Paolo Rossi up front and Antonio Cabrini in defense. Rossi from Perugia had just played 2 friendlies with the Azzurri back in December and January, due to the absence of Graziani and Bettega. Cabrini not only hadn't played a single minute in the Nazionale shirt, but he was not even a regular for his team Juventus yet! Bearzot knew that his squadra needed some fresh energy, and now against France, having to come back from 1 goal down, his gamble on his two 'babies' was fully at test. With Tardelli being sacrificed to man-mark and 'cancel' Michel Platini, and Antognoni <b>...</b>
Italy
Italia
Italie
Argentina
Argentine
Italy-France
Italia-Francia
France
Francia
World
Cup
Mondial
Mundial
Mondiali
1978
Nazionale
squadra
azzurra
Coppa
Mondo
Coupe
Monde
1st
round
finals
bettega
platini
lacombe
six
tresor
tardelli
paolo
rossi
causio
cabrini
78
bearzot
zoff
gentile
zaccarelli
footoldies