DBasia.news – Euro 2020 has reached the semifinals. One of the most anticipated matches is the meeting between two great and historic European countries, Italy vs Spain. There has been many classic matches between the two and one of them is well remembered by Luis Enrique.
Luis Enrique (51 years old) is currently coaching the Spanish national team but in the past there are bitter memories of the man who was born in Gijon, May 8, 1950. Precisely at the 1994 World Cup in the quarter-final phase between Italy and Spain.
The match ended 2-1 for Italy with goals from Baggio, Dino Baggio (25′) and Roberto Baggio (88′) which were reduced by Jose Luis Caminero’s goal (58′), but in that match there was a moment that would always be remembered by Enrique and Spanish fans.
Luis Enrique will face Italy for the first time since the 1994 World Cup, when Enrique’s nose (who plays as a midfielder) bled after being elbowed by Mauro Tassotti, causing him to have a broken nose.
The incident took place at Foxboro Stadium on July 9, 1994. Enrique was furious and wanted a penalty after the incident, but the referee did not issue it. According to the Spanish coach, Javier Clemente the referee was too afraid to decide because the majority of supporters were Italian.
“Luis Enrique wanted to kill the referee and also Tassotti,” Spanish physiotherapist, Senen Cortegoso told EFE about the incident.
This incident certainly would not have happened if there had been VAR. A few years later Enrique met Tassotti. Enrique coached AS Roma and Tassotti is assistant coach of AC Milan, but there was no grudge from Enrique and the two shook hands.
“Since then, 17 years have passed and that means we are 17 years older,” said Luis Enrique.
“I have no problem with him. What happened was water under the bridge (past). These are things that happen on the pitch and they stay there.”
The two figures met again when Spain played Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League match. Enrique coached Spain and Tassotti became assistant coach to Andriy Shevchenko in the Ukraine national team.
This adds to the excitement of the Italy vs Spain’s meeting later. The two countries have met 14 times over the past 27 years, Spain won five times, Italy twice and seven games ended in draws.