Zaccagni, the ‘reincarnation’ of Del Piero: “As a child I had a poster of him next to the bed”
The history of Italy is full of agonizing victories/qualifications, almost miraculous, on the horn: Roberto Baggio’s goals -both in the 88th minute- against Nigeria and Spain in 1994, lgoals from Grosso (119′) and Del Piero (121′) against Germany in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals…
An Olympus to which Mattia Zaccagni (Cesena, 1995) has entered the big ones. His goal against Croatia (1-1) in the 98th minute – the latest scored by Italy in the history of the Euro – qualified the Nazionale for the round of 16.
Croatia 1-1 Italy: summary and goals | Euro Cup (J3)
A goal, the first he has achieved in seven caps, which was reminiscent, in form and substance, of Del Piero’s in 2006.
“His goal immediately came to mind. Álex was my idol. I had his poster in my room, next to the room. I spoke to him before coming and I have spoken to him again. He congratulated me and told me to keep it up,” says the Lazio playmaker, who saw Italy win the 2006 World Cup in the hotel run by his family.
His goal, however, ruined the night for his other great reference. “Perhaps the only player I like the way I liked Del Piero Luka Modric”he admits.
This tattoo enthusiast – he has one of Batman – dressed as a superhero against Croatia: “Scoring the goal that qualifies Italy is an indescribable emotion.” Now he will seek to repeat in the round of 16 against Switzerland, although he is distrustful:“They are a good team, we saw it against Germany.”
