Mattioli bets on'Italy
Screenshot tratto da Rai
A few hours before Italy-Sweden, the website passionedelcalcio.it interviewed Mario Mattioli, the RAI journalist, host of such historic broadcasts as “Sabato Sport”, “Sabato Sprint”, “La Domenica Sportiva” and “90°Serie B” and correspondent at several editions of the Olympic Games, World and European soccer and athletics championships and the Mediterranean Games.
What or who impressed you the most about Italy in the match against Belgium?
All the characteristics of the Conte-coached teams came out clearly: running, self-sacrifice, great team spirit and the desire to give everything until the end, up to the 90 minutes and beyond, even in the dying minutes. Especially his two praetorians Bonucci and Giaccherini have confirmed their importance. The latter in particular confirmed that his summons was by no means accidental.
Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in a few hours. What will Conte change?
He will not make the classic mistake of not making a turn-over. He has said he will and in my opinion he will keep his promise. He will certainly change the laterals. That’s where the game is going to be played.
Tops and flops of this Euro2016 start?
We need to be cautious. I reason by sectors. Take for example the goalkeepers. They have all made a splash, Buffon and Neuer aside. Berisha of Lazio is a striking example. The real excellence lies in team play. As individuals, Modric and Rakitic impressed me.
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Your three candidates for the final victory?
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Germany, Spain and then one between Italy and France. You have to watch out for the latter because it’s home-grown, plays poorly and wins, so it’s dangerous. The Germans should always be counted out because as Gary Lineker said “soccer is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and in the end Germany wins”.
Best memory of a national team game?
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The one on September 3, 2000 in Budapest. Hungary-Italy ended 2-2 with a brace from Inzaghi. Not only was it a beautiful match in terms of quality of play but it was also very emotional. At the Hungarian anthem 80,000 people sang. Trap had recently taken over from Zoff on the bench. This match also remained in my heart because it came after the events of Euro2000 in which I was badly beaten. I did not see the final against France because I was in handcuffs and with a broken shoulder.
Is there an Azzurri soccer player with whom you are close friends?”
I have a very close relationship with Baggio. Also with Di Francesco, Zambrotta and Buffon. Gigi’s sisters are volleyball champions (ed, Mattioli is the founder of the Roma women’s volleyball team).
Since you mention Baggio, what do you think is the best game he played?”
All of them. In particular I remember a Bologna-Milan (3-0), in which he scored 2 goals and made three lobs in the box. Some journalists timed the applause from the Milan curve: 5 uninterrupted minutes. I also remember fondly a Brescia-Inter (1-0). Throughout the first half Roby caught no more than three balls. Many wanted to replace him. At 91’ thanks to a penalty he gave the three points to Brescia. At the end of the game I went downstairs to say goodbye to Roby and I could hear Mazzone yelling. At one point he goes to his people: “Ahoo mo te lo dico…Baggio never takes off!””. It’s true, a champion never takes off, because he can always solve your games. We have also seen this with Totti in this final season.
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A memory of his d’early career?
An art director provincing me had me do a soccer report without the pictures, then one on tennis, boxing, athletics (ed., he did athletics for a good 16 years). After quite a while’ he interrupted me and said, “Okay Mattioli you know sports, but with this voice you will never be able to do this job”. From the back came these words in my defense: “Ma vaff….che ca….stai a dì stron stron…”. That voice was from the one who would later help me in the profession, the great Gilberto Evangelisti.
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One thing you are proud of?”
One thing you are proud of?”
I brought into the telecasts the “goal scoring” Brazilian style.
The broadcast to which he is most attached?
The two and a half years of Saturday Sprint. I relaunched the broadcast which, on a Saturday night and dealing with the advances, has to be handled in a certain way. Unfortunately, after that it slowly lost appeal until it was eliminated. I also have good memories of Domenica Sportiva.
