Italy Football Formation

Lineup (4-3-1-2)

Enrico Albertosi · Roberto Rosato · Tarcisio Burgnich · Pierluigi Cera · Giacinto Facchetti (c) · Mario Bertini · Giancarlo De Sisti · Angelo Domenghini · Sandro Mazzola · Luigi Riva · Roberto Boninsegna

Italy "Runners-Up XI" (1970)

Italy had some of the finest players in their team, most notably Riva, Mazzola, Facchetti and Rivera. Italy played some of the finest Football in their history to reach the finals, particularly their match against Germany in the semi-final was epic, and probably the greatest match of all time, due to the sheer drama and tension.

However, Italy was unfortunate to face Brazil in the final, which was undoubtedly the greatest Team ever. Thus, they lost the final by 4-1 quite helplessly. This, doesn't undermine the brilliance the Italians had. This just signifies, how great and how far ahead the Brazil team of 1970 was. Brazil could win so effortlessly against this brilliant Italy team.

This was the clash between "futebol d’arte" and "futebol de resultados". And this was the triumph of Brazilian "futebol d’arte". It was no shame for the brilliant Italians, as they predictably lost to the greatest team of all time.

The 1970 FIFA World Cup Final was contested by Brazil and Italy on 21 June 1970 in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, to determine the winner of the 1970 FIFA World Cup. This final marked the first time that two former world champions met in a final; Italy had previously won the World Cup in 1934 and 1938, while Brazil won in 1958 and 1962. Brazil won the 1970 World Cup, and as per the condition, took away "Jules Rimet" trophy (old trophy of the World Cup) forever.

Coach/Manager : Ferruccio Valcareggi

Reserves include : Antonio Juliano and Gianni Rivera.