Stefano Tacconi, former Juventus and national team goalkeeper, spoke again about the 1990 Italy World Cup and his relationship with Walter Zenga in an interview with La Repubblica. The interview was published on TUTTOmercatoWEB and includes anecdotes taken from the book "The art of blocking" by Rizzoli, in which Tacconi talks about his experiences on the pitch and the dynamics between Italian goalkeepers.
In the story, Tacconi remembers the semi-final against Argentina, where Zenga's error on the way out was decisive for Caniggia's goal. The goalkeeper claims to have lent his gloves to Zenga because, after the warm-up, his colleague's gloves were "so sweaty" that they could not be used. “That day everyone took it out on him for Caniggia's goal, but it wasn't his fault,” explained Tacconi, underlining that the responsibility for the goal did not fall on Zenga.
Tacconi also spoke about the relationship with Zenga, describing it as "good" despite the rivalry between the two teams. He said that despite the tensions, the two goalkeepers agreed on how to deal with the press, especially when journalists didn't talk about them. “If, despite what was said, Zenga and I had a good relationship,” he added, highlighting a tacit collaboration between the two.
The interviewee also reported a career choice that led him to refuse the reserve position in Bordon and to prefer to stay in Avellino, despite Mazzola's proposal to return. This decision, according to Tacconi, was motivated by the desire not to be relegated to a secondary role and to continue playing on the front line.
The interview concludes with an observation on the role of Italian goalkeepers in the 1990s, recalling that the competition between Tacconi and Zenga contributed to defining the standards of excellence for the goal. Tacconi's story offers an intimate look at the internal dynamics of Italian football and the personal choices that shaped the careers of two great goalkeepers of the past.