Euro 2016 quarter-final between Italy and Spain stokes memories of fiery clash at USA 94
In World Cup of 22 years ago at same stage Luis Enrique had nose smashed after a vicious elbow from Mauro Tassotti
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Mediterranean giants Italy and Spain will go head-to-head at the Stade de France in Euro 2016’s first real heavyweight tussle.
It is a repeat of the 2012 final which saw La Roja smashed the Azzurri 4-0 in staggeringly one-sided affair.
Spain have won the European Championships a joint-record three times but write Italy off at your peril.
Antonio Conte’s men produced arguably the stand-out performance of the tournament so far as they beat the No.2 ranked side in the world, Belgium, 2-0 in their opener.
Italy’s defensive organisation may foil a Spain side who took 87 minutes to find a way past Czech Republic and came unstuck in a defeat against Croatia, despite the Iberians having won the previous two editions.
This is a rivalry which dates back to a fiery quarter-final clash at USA 94.
Spain were blessed with stars in the mid-90s but always flattered to deceive and failed to add to their sole major honour from 1964, while Italy were tournament latter stage regulars.
The Azzurri were lucky to make the knock-out stages only qualifying as one of best third-placed teams, finishing behind Mexico and the Republic of Ireland, before beating Nigeria in the last-16.
Spain, meanwhile, had finished as runners up to Germany before impressively dumping out Switzerland.
Dino Baggio gave Italy the lead after 25 minutes of the quarter-final clash in Massachusetts only for Jose Luis Caminero equalised with 58 showing on the clock.
The world’s best player and tournament’s star man, Roberto Baggio, conjured up an 88th-minute equaliser to break Spain hearts.
But that wasn’t the only Spanish body part which an Italian would be broken that day.
Deep into stoppage time, AC Milan defender, Mauro Tassotti, savagely elbowed Luis Enrique in the face — shattering his nose.
The referee missed the incident and the current Barcelona boss — with blood pouring down his shirt — threw himself to the ground in shock.
He attempted to confront Tassotti, whose body language appeared to suggest innocence.
Enrique lost a pint of blood after that incident, while the Italian defender was retrospectively banned for eight games.
Spain boss, Javier Clemente, believed the referee was influenced by the large number of Italians living in the USA.
He said: “The referee made a mistake…well, not a mistake, exactly.
“He didn’t want to give that penalty. He saw it. He was close enough. He could see the blood everywhere.
“But it was an uncomfortable decision to give. It was Italy: they were powerful, they filled stadiums. Apart from the US, no one packed grounds like them.
“There were a lot of Italian immigrants in the US, 50,000 Italians there that day. He was scared.
“That was a ‘home’ game, and refs aren’t so brave against home teams.”
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Enrique and Tassotti met in opposing dug-outs as Roma faced Milan in 2011 — and forgiveness was met out as the pair famously shook hands.
But it has never truly been forgotten.
They met again 14 years later at the same stage in the European Championships.
Italy were the world champions, while Spain had been the most impressive team at that summer’s Euros in Austria and Switzerland.
The teams played out a dour 0-0 draw after Extra Time as penalties ensued — on the exact date Spain had suffered major tournament spot-kick agony THREE times before.
However, fate would shine on Spain in Vienna as Cesc Fabregas’ success from 12 yards secured a first passage to the semi-finals since 1984.
La Roja went onto be win Euro 2008 and started a period of unprecedented dominance on the international stage.
Two years on from a maiden World Cup victory in 2010, they were favourites retain their European crown in Poland and Ukraine.
They were drawn alongside Italy and opened the pair opened with a 1-1 draw.
Spain could have knocked the Italians out with a 2-2 draw in the final group game against Croatia.
MARCA's front page had a picture of a bloodied Enrique holding a towel against his nose, along with the words: "Don't worry, Italy, we don't hold a grudge".
Spain won the match 1-0.
The Azzurri were not expected to get far after a dismal World Cup performance but dispatched of England and the impressive Germans to make it to Kiev.
There had been criticism of Spain’s playing style throughout the tournament, with many claiming their Tika-Taka passing game and lack of centre forward made them “boring”.
However, Spain answered their critics in style.
Starting with six central midfield players and no attacker, La Roja played on the edge of Italy’s box and destroyed their opponents.
David Silva opened the scoring on 14 minutes and Jordi Alba finished off a stunning team build up with a second four minutes before the interval.
Spain comfortably kept Italy at bay, adding a third on 84 minutes through Fernando Torres before Juan Mata capped it all off with a fourth four minutes later.
Having clearly forgotten about the infamous USA 94 incident captain Iker Casillas was caught begging the official behind the goal to end the contest with “respect for the opposition”.
The clash in Paris will be somewhat more than just a feast of a dazzling attack against a cagey defence.