Italy face Argentina for first time since 1990

Gideon Long

Italy's friendly against Argentina on Wednesday will be the first clash between the two footballing giants since 1990, when the Argentines beat Italy on penalties to knock them out of their own World Cup.

The semifinal in Naples on July 3, 1990, was one of the most agonising in Italy's soccer history.

Fired by the goals of Sicilian striker Toto Schillaci, the Italians had won their first five matches of the tournament without conceding a single goal and had emerged as favourites to win the World Cup for what would have been a record fourth time.

The defending champions from Argentina had been less convincing but the presence of Diego Maradona guaranteed them huge support in Naples -- even among Italians.

Schillaci put Italy in front in the 17th minute but Argentine striker Claudio Caniggia scored on the counter-attack in the 68th minute to take the match to extra-time.

The Argentines forced a draw despite having a man sent off and then won 4-3 on penalties. AC Milan's Roberto Donadoni and Inter Milan's Aldo Serena missed their spot-kicks in front of 60,000 stunned home fans.

Argentina came unstuck against West Germany in a dreadful final days later and Italy had to settle for third place after beating England in a play-off.

Eleven years on, the fixture is still one of the most enticing in world soccer. So many Italians have emigrated to Argentina and so many Argentines play their football in Italy that it has almost the flavour of a derby.

"Italy against Argentina can never be just a friendly," said Lazio's Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, who will be playing on his home pitch at Rome's Olympic Stadium.

"It could even be the final of the next World Cup."

"We've been missing this fixture since 1990. I can still remember watching that match on television and the joy of the Argentine fans. I was 15 at the time."

Crespo is one of seven Italian-based players in Marcelo Bielsa's squad and will start in front of a midfield powered by Lazio teammates Juan Veron and Diego Simeone.

Young Argentine defender Walter Samuel, one of the revelations of the Serie A season, will also be playing on home turf as he is part of the Roma side.

Italy welcome back striker Christian Vieri for the first time in over a year and coach Giovanni Trapattoni has also hinted he might experiment by fielding Atalanta Bergamo's twin brothers Cristian and Damiano Zenoni in midfield.

"Argentina are among the best three or four sides in the world. They have classy, inventive players and mentally they are very similar to us," Trapattoni said.

"It'll be a high quality match, like our friendly with England three months ago."

Wednesday's clash will be the 13th between the two nations since they first met in Rome in 1954. Italy have won six, Argentina two and four games have ended in draws.