Blasta from the Pasta! 10 great Anglo-Italian encounters

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 14:56 15/02/12

From glory to tragedy... these Anglo-Italian showdowns have been matches that will live long in the memory, by Federico Farcomeni

***

A new chapter in the rivalry between England and Italy will be written when Arsenal and Chelsea face AC Milan and Napoli in the Champions League last 16. From Liverpool’s comeback against AC Milan to win the European Cup for the fifth time, to Bobby Charlton’s final Manchester United appearance in Verona, it is marked with thrills, controversy and tragedy.

The relationship between the nations has even included a tournament specifically for clubs from the two countries – the Anglo-Italian Cup, inspired by Anglophile Gigi Peronace and aimed at helping lower division clubs raise cash. But now the money-spinning Champions League means the stakes are higher than ever.

Aston Villa 1-2 Juventus (1983)
This game is vividly recalled in Giampiero Boniperti’s autobiography. The former player, then president of the Bianconeri, travelled to the midlands on a scouting mission. An unaware lady sold him a ticket and during the game Boniperti kept asking her about team news, the physical and mental conditions of the players, and their strengths and weaknesses (remember, no TV coverage back then). She became suspicious but only discovered who the man was when Boniperti presented her with two tickets for the first leg of the European Cup quarter finals, which Juventus went on to win 2-1.

Roma 1-1 Liverpool (1984)
Uefa decided to stage the European Cup final in Rome following the death in a car crash of Artemio Franchi, Uefa president at that time, the previous year. Thus, Roma played at home in their white away kit and lost on penalties to those famous Bruce Grobbelaar ‘rubber legs’ antics. Their supporters still blame Paulo Roberto Falcao, the ‘heart and inspiration of the team,’ for not having the guts to take a penalty. To this day this match remains the only time in the history of the European Cup when the team playing the final at home in front of their own crowd lost the trophy.

Juventus 1-0 Liverpool (1985)
One of European football’s darkest days. In the infamous section Z, 36 Juventus lost their lives before the final of the European Cup in Brussels. The Heysel Stadium was later discovered to be absolutely unfit to stage the final. Michel Platini eventually decided the game on penalty.

Ancona 1-2 Birmingham (1995)
To say things got out of hand when Birmingham travelled to Ancona for an Anglo-Italian Cup tie would be something of an understatement. The catalyst for the drama was Marco Sesia hacking down Blues playmaker Paul Tait, who reacted angrily, grabbing the Italian's shirt. This prompted Ancona players to pile into the Birmingham man and manager Massimo Cacciatori to strike Tait. The game then descended into scenes more befitting of a wrestling ring. David Tentoni even aimed a punch at Blues physio Neil McDiarmid while he tended to Tait. Amazingly, neither side had anyone sent off. Birmingham held on for the victory but the night was far from over. Chaos broke out in the tunnel. Manager Cacciatori was left with a fractured cheekbone and Welsh referee John Lloyd with a broken finger.

Chelsea 3-1 Vincenza (1998)
Vicenza had just won the Italian Cup and looked set for their first ever European final when they won the first leg and then opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge through Pasquale Luiso in the first half. Chelsea had to overcome two goals deficit in less than an hour, and they did so thanks to Poyet, Zola and Hughes. The Blues went to Stockholm and defeated Stuttgart to lift the second Cup Winners Cup of their history.

Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (1999)
One of the greatest comebacks ever inspired by Roy Keane, whose caution meant he was destined to miss the final. United had won the Cup Winners Cup in 1991 but in Turin, the shift in power was visible to everyone. Italian teams had dominated the European scene in the 1990s, but this game marked a turning of the tide. After the 1-1 draw in Old Trafford, Juventus went 2-0 up in the space of 11 minutes thanks to Filippo Inzaghi and looked set fair for the final in Barcelona. But Manchester United worked their way back into the game thanks to Keane’s header before Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole sealed a dramatic comeback.

Chelsea 1-2 Lazio (2000)
Lazio were the first side to win at Stamford Bridge in Europe. After Gus Poyet gave Chelsea the lead in outstanding fashion, Lazio came back with a Simone Inzaghi’s close range finish, and a sharp Mihajlovic free-kick from a virtually impossible position to ensure Lazio finished top of the second stage group A and faced Valencia in the quarters, while Chelsea had to make do of a trip to the Camp Nou.

AC Milan 1-1 Leeds (2000)
Leeds needed a point in the San Siro to ensure qualification from their Champions League group at the expense of Barcelona. Dominic Matteo's near-post header was cancelled out by Serginho but David O'Leary's side held on - much to the delight of the 6,000 travelling supporters.

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (2005)
Arguably one of the greatest football matches ever. Milan were 3-0 ahead at half-time before, incredibly, Gerrard, Smicer and Alonso took the game to extra time in the space of six minutes and then Dudek did the Grobbelaar ‘wobbly legs’ and Liverpool lifted the fifth European Cup of their history. The trophy was theirs to keep.

Manchester United 7-1 Roma (2007)
After winning the first leg 2-1, Roma crossed the channel in a very confident mood with a pace in the semi-finals in their sights. Instead they were stunned as United won 7-1 with goals from Carrick, Alan Smith, Rooney, Carrick, Evra and a brace from Ronaldo. Only Juventus had done worse in a European match, losing 7-0 to Wiener SC in 1958 in a first round match.

AC Milan scouting report: Tactics, star players, current form and more by Serie A expert Mina Rzouki

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!