Arrigo Sacchi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sacchi based his Italian selection predominantly on Milan players, especially in the defensive line, which featured Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi; the attacking line was led by 1993 Ballon d'Or winner Roberto Baggio of Juventus. Notable exclusions from Sacchi's Azzurri selections included Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, Giuseppe Bergomi (who had been part of the World Cup winning squad of 1982) and Walter Zenga. Despite losing their first match 1–0 to the Republic of Ireland and finishing third in their group, Italy reached the final (their first since 1982), where they were defeated by Brazil in a penalty shoot-out.

In Their Own Story

The 1994 World Cup final in Pasadena. Sacchi's Italy, built on a core of Milan defenders and the genius of Roberto Baggio, had clawed their way through the tournament after a shaky group stage. They faced Brazil in the first ever World Cup final decided by a penalty shoot-out. After a tense 0-0 draw, Italy fell 3-2 on penalties. Sacchi had led the Azzurri to their first final since 1982, but the ultimate prize slipped away in the most dramatic fashion.

Reader's Guide

Arrigo Sacchi's tenure with the Italy national team ran from November 1991 to 1996. His key achievement was leading Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final. He favored a fluid, highly organized attacking 4–4–2 formation, discarding the traditional libero. Defensively, his teams adopted a zonal marking system, known for their defensive strength. The defensive quartet of Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, and Tassotti, which Sacchi deployed both at Milan and with Italy, is regarded as one of the greatest defences of all-time. Sacchi believes in the Dutch concept of Total Football, insisting that young players should be coached in all aspects of football. He is credited as an innovator, popularising high pressing, the offside trap, and a high defensive line with no more than 25 metres between defence and attack.

Did You Know?

• Sacchi was never a professional football player and worked as a shoe salesman for many years.
• His famous quote: 'I never realised that in order to become a jockey you have to have been a horse first.'
• He led Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, their first since 1982, where they lost to Brazil in a penalty shoot-out.
• Sacchi based his Italy selection predominantly on Milan players, especially the defensive line of Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, and Tassotti.
• He notably excluded Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, Giuseppe Bergomi, and Walter Zenga from his Azzurri selections.