It's hard to undermine Claudio Gentile's ugly but effective contribution during the World Cup 1982

Claudio Gentile standing behind Maradona during the second round clash between Italy and Argentina, FIFA World Cup 1982. The battle between Maradona and Gentile is one of the most talked and analysed topic. Still now, Gentile’s toughest man-marking is an example for every defenders – how to stop the most dangerous player of the opposition team.

Claudio Gentile was the toughest and ugliest defenders Italy have ever produced. Claudio. Nicknamed ‘Qaddafi’ - since he was born in Libya - Gentile was a hard, uncompromising man. Several famous attackers during his era have fallen prey to his ruthless defending style.

During the 1982 World Cup, Italy struggled to advance into the second round. They were placed in Group – C along with World Champions Argentina and tournament’s most loved and feared team, Brazil. Virtually, Italy were supposed to have no chance at all. If Argentina would make them reel then Brazil would surely bash them in the most ruthless manner, pack them in a coffin and parcel them straight to Italy.

The dismal show during the group stages made the Italian press and fans angry. Especially, the press simply crucified the coach and his men. And Paolo Rossi was accused of having drugs and spending nights at the bar. The Italian coach decided to avoid the press and work silently.

Before Italy’s journey in the second round had kicked off, the Italian coach Enzo Bearzot studied both Brazil and Argentina’s style and tactics. He watched both the team’s match videos and tried to figure out how to stop the Latin American giants. Though the chances were less but let’s not give up so easily.

Bearzot found that, if both Maradona and Zico can be made inactive then there is a chance for Italy to script something special. Argentina’s game revolved around Maradona and even though Brazil were an all-round side where everyone was capable of scoring goals and providing sublime passes, but Bearzot discovered that all those pace and rhythm were provided by Zico.

Enzo Bearzot entrusted Claudio Gentile to check both Maradona and Zico. In the game against Argentina, Gentile was right on Maradona as soon as he received possession. Hardly Maradona could hold the ball on his feet – he was body-checked and cut to the ground, battered and bruised. Argentina suffered from lack of rhythm as Maradona choked. They lost the match and Italy dished out a surprised victory. After the match against Argentina, Gentile uttered four words, the impact of which echoes still now: Football is not for the Ballerinas.

 Zico suffered the same fate as Maradona. Only once Zico was able to outfox Gentile and provide a sublime pass to Socrates who equalized for Brazil, but after that, Zico was checked harshly. He could not handle the ferocity of the Italian defender, and had his shirt ripped in pieces after Gentile was booked for a dangerous challenge on him.

Zico was neutralized; Brazil fought hard but lost the match. It was neither Argentina nor Brazil, but Italy advanced into the semifinals from the group of death.   

There were Rossi’s efforts, there were Dino Zoff’s amazing saves, there was Bruno Conti’s supreme control in the midfield, but it’s hard to undermine Gnetile’s ugly but effective contribution for Italy in 1982.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar