Updates and news
The aim of this website is to collect all knowledge and analyse every aspect of Italia'90. The site is a work in progress, with also published material being continuously revised. We will only begin publishing match reports from the 1990 World Cup tournament when all qualifiers have been covered. We are currently (October 2018) focusing on the UEFA group 3 qualifiers, which will remain our priority for a while yet. To receive updates on twitter, follow @1990qual (kaltz) and @1990worldcup (domizio).
NEW: Italy 2-1 Norway (friendly)
19 October 1988, Pescara: Captain Bergomi was definitely capable of playing as a right-sided defender, but with Italy having put three men across the centre of their defence, Bergomi, capped for the 51st time, had seen this position go to Napoli's only starting inclusion: Fernando De Napoli. The versatile 24 year old was establishing himself as one of Vicini's favourites: In the manager's 22nd match in charge, De Napoli was now featuring for the 21st time since life after the 1986 World Cup. He was someone who could play in a number of positions and never let you down. Here, he would combine well with Bergomi, Donadoni and Vialli to maintain a certain threat level from the Italian right hand side. 20 year young Maldini would do likewise on the opposite flank. He was one of three Milanese in the starting eleven; they were reigning Italian champions. Read more . . .
RECENT: East Germany 2-1 Soviet Union
Capteins Kreer and Mikhailichenko in conversation with referee Helén and the linesmen before kick-off
8 October 1989, Karl-Marx-Stadt: The opening ten minutes show little in terms of attacking enterprise from either team, though it clearly plays in the consciousness of the visitors that a point would be a welcome result. It is the hosts who wish to take the game to the away team, naturally so, as they seek to get that elusive win which will ensure their interest in the qualification right through to their final game in Austria. The USSR do what they can to slow proceedings down, whilst the home team appear to have their tails up after that fine win in Reykjavik. However, this is a much different proposition, and they can not expose themselves defensively, as the Soviet Union most definitely have the counter-attacking credentials to harm anyone who do not tread with care. Read more...
Previously: Czechoslovakia v Switzerland (1989 qualifier)
Previously: Wales v Netherlands (1989 qualifier)
From the news archives
One of the last qualifiers covered at italia1990.com is Iceland v Soviet Union (31 August 1988) from UEFA Group 3, provided by our writer kaltz. In addition, we give you the front page of the Icelandic newspaper Tíminn on 1 September 1988: Its headline was not so much the result of the game, as the naked person who entered the field. This is allegedly the first time this phenomenon was witnessed on a sporting venue on the island. Insular innocence stolen.
(Thanks to @WC1930blogger for notifying us.)
From the archives
Greece 1-4 Yugoslavia, 5 April 1989
Group 7 Quiz
Who was Belgium's regular libero in the 1990 qualifiers? And who's the player in the middle in the picture to the right? Test your UEFA qualification group 7 knowledge with our new group 7 quiz. Difficulty level: Difficult . . .