“We were presumed dead and we deceived the Germans”

Italy will be the first country in celebrate a title behind the quarantine (today, end of Coppa) and will do so in the 50th anniversary of the legendary 4-3 against Germany in Mexico-70. A feat that Sandro Mazzola (Turin, November 8, 1942) is still excited by: “It seems to me that it was yesterday.”

Today is the 50th anniversary of the 'Match of the century' and there is a Cup final in Italy, the first after quarantine.

It is a special day and I am glad it coincides with this anniversary. It is a new beginning. I want all of us to think about what we have experienced before the kick-off. Then it is only fair that life continue. And let football return.

Who will win, Naples or Juventus?

Good question. I like Gattuso's Napoli game, although beating Juve is always very difficult. If I have to choose, I say azzurri.

How did you see Inter in the semifinal?

Don't ask me. Conte's still have a long way to go. They created occasions, yes, but if you don't mark …

And what did you think of the Juventus-Milan match?

It offends me, I don't see games that ugly (laugh). Both teams proved to be one step behind, physically, with respect to Naples and Inter.

Italy-Germany, 1970 World Cup in Mexico. What is the first thing you remember about that day?

That we should lose, we all thought we were dead. Even our own Federation, which had bought the tickets back home.

The rival was complicated …

Germany was much better than us, but we had something more. We were Italians and we knew how to surprise them when they least expected it.

He had to alternate with Rivera: the famous 'staffetta', one time each. Could they really not play together?

Yes we could, but Valcareggi did not want to. It was something that we both suffered, but it is also true that, doing so, things were going well for us. Deep down, the coach was right.

You had to deal with Beckenbauer …

Yes, he was something incredible. Athletically he was very strong, he had good feet and he was so smart… He was in command of the team, he was yelling at everyone. In his midfield I was going to score him: he was a defender, but he started all the plays, as they do now.

How did you relate to the 'Kaiser' on the pitch?

We looked at each other badly, more than anything. We did it, especially after some hard entry. We did not ask for forgiveness, but we respected ourselves.

The German ended up playing with his bandaged arm.

We expected it to come out, but nothing. He even bothered with a dislocated arm.

There were also criticisms: there was talk of the 'catenaccio'.

Playing in the defensive phase is not playing badly, it is canceling the rival. We surprised Germany waiting for them, that's how we cheated on them.

Did you realize the importance of that triumph?

After the final whistle we looked at each other and there was a moment when we still didn't believe that battle was over. Then the joy came.

Italy arrived very tired to the final. Without that eternal extension, would you have had more options?

We are talking about Pelé's Brazil, nothing would have changed. They were unbeatable. Just look at O Rei I got goosebumps on your face.

By the way, has Pelé been the best of all time?

No, I am staying with Di Stéfano. He played in all areas with the same quality.