By Uvil Zajmi
– This writing is published as a tribute after the passing away a few days ago of the legend of Italian football, Sandro Mazzola, former player of “Inter” and of the azzurri national team –
Memorie.al / “Il baffetto,” that is what they call him not only in Italy, but also outside of it. He is an endless gallery, a great flag of Inter and of the “azzurri.” His name is Sandro Mazzola. One name, one legend, one myth. He is considered perhaps the greatest footballer of Italy, one of the giants of all time. He is the player of “Inter,” of Angelo Moratti’s Euro-world, of trophies, of an epoch that is difficult to repeat. Protagonist of the national team, one of the most distinguished scorers of the black-and-blues, the man who with his two goals broke in Vienna the great “Real” of Pushkas and Di Stefano. The son of Valentino Mazzola, one of the legendary post-war footballers, a starter of the famous “Torino,” the team that disappeared after the air accident on the hill of Superga, near Turin, after returning from Lisbon, when Sandro was only 7 years old. Sandro Mazzola, exceptional in dribbling, intelligent in orchestrating the game, a very accurate finisher.
Special in alternation, movements, technical maneuvers in harmony with speed, an element that he possessed to the maximum and that distinguished him from the others of that generation. Unforgettable rivalry with Gianni Rivera of “Milan,” names that even the field could not determine in terms of greatness. Unforgettable attack line Corso-Suarez-Mazzola, a trio that terrified the entire world of the ’60s-’70s. Protagonists of a phenomenal team for the much-talked-about football “Il catenaccio Herrerian,” a tactical scheme applied by coach Helenio Herrera, a form of play practiced by the “Inter” of Facchetti, Suarez, Corso, Guarneri, Picchi and Mazzola, etc.
Mazzola was born in Turin on October 8, 1942. After the death of Valentino, and when his mother remarried a merchant, his family moved to Milan. At 13 years old, he was activated with the children’s team, at 19 he debuted in Serie A, while at 35 he hung up his boots. In 17 years of career with only one jersey, he played 418 matches in Serie A with “Inter,” scoring 117 goals while always being on the list of best scorers. He won four championship titles, two European Champion Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, once champion of Europe with Italy, world runner-up in Mexico ’70 — all these with “Inter” and the national team, while with the national team jersey which he left after the German World Cup of 1974, in 77 matches he scored 22 goals.
He withdrew from football in 1977: The last match, the Italian Cup final, lost with “Milan.” In 1971, he was ranked second after Johan Cruyff in the classification for the “Ballon d’Or.” He still holds today the record for the fastest goal scored in the Milan derby, scored after 13 seconds of play, on February 24, 1963. Without finishing his career, he covered several functions as a director of “Inter” (1977-1984), then at “Genoa.” He returned to “Inter” as technical director and head of the transfer sector. Three years at “Torino” (2000-2003) as a director. It is Mazzola who presented for the first time the Phenomenon Ronaldo, in the Inter environment, to his admirers.
Debut with a goal in the deepest defeat
On April 16, “Juventus”-“Inter” is played in Turin, and while the match is 0-0 it is interrupted for invasion of the field by fans that entered without tickets. “Inter” wins at the table 2-0, after the decision of the first instance, but after the appeal of “Juventus,” only one night before the matches of the last week and when the teams are with equal points 46 at the top, CAF (Federal Appeal Commission), reverses the decision and orders the repetition of the match. In the last week, “Juventus” draws 1-1 with “Bari” in Turin, while “Inter” loses 0-2 in Catania.
On June 10, 1961, “Juventus”-“Inter” is repeated, a match tied to many motives: as the last of Boniperti; for the record of goals, (6), scored in one meeting by Sivori and for the debut of a little Turin boy, but with the black-and-blue jersey, Sandrino Mazzola. But, near the second challenge is tied to one of the most famous events of Serie A: In sign of protest Herrera sends to the field a formation with young players and the captain is Mazzola. “Juventus” wins deeply 9-1 and Sivori scores six goals. While for “Inter” a penalty is given and Mazzola approached the white point, he struck without fear scoring the only goal for the black-and-blue team, which is also his first official goal in Serie A.
A conversation with Sandro Mazzola
I met Sandro Mazzola in Lecce, Hotel “Ambassador,” in September of 1997. I had only memories, as a fan, passionate supporter of “Inter,” in my beginnings, in the mid-years ’65-’70, not even ten years old, when “Inter” with Sandro Mazzola dominated in Europe and Italy. We got the matches, the information from the radio, even though we were in the eight-year school. The “Inter” of Mazzola, Facchetti, even today that is how I remember it and that spurred us and from them we became “Inter” fans. An admiration and appreciation accompanied us every Sunday in Serie A, which my generation has followed endlessly. Always with an ear to the radio, to wait for, to hear a goal of Mazzola, Boninsegna, or a triumphant result in the derby, of the matches with “Juventus,” in the great rivalry of those years.
For us capital city residents it was an uninterrupted communication, but without being able to be present even once in the mythical stadium “San Siro,” in a challenge of “Inter.” After the ’90s when everything changed, even the possibilities, the alternatives were numerous. First we created “Inter Club Tirana ’91,” then the contacts with the Club’s directors, the meetings with players up to presidents Pelegrini and Moratti, welcomed by them. The journeys, our presence in the stadium, the lap of honor with our banner in the match “Inter”-“Torino,” applauded by the Inter fans. Endless pleasure. Among the many meetings, for me there was also the one with Sandro Mazzola, our idol, a dream made reality.
It was September 27, 1997. Very well-mannered, the demeanor, the conversation with him became normal, extremely polite, and typical for a person like him, since he was such even on the field. High class, a team man. All the more so that he was meeting an Albanian, an admirer and connoisseur of his life, career, and of “Inter.” It was midday, in the evening “Lecce” – “Inter” was playing, which ended 1-5, and the conversation with Sandro lasted about 20 minutes, in the hotel environment where the “Inter” team was settled. Then a photo with him. I was there to meet Ronaldo and to interview the phenomenon, in those first months that he had come to Italy, having started his career with “Inter.” Which I realized a little later after the one with Sandro Mazzola.
My interview with Sandro Mazzola
Mr. Sandro, I am an Albanian, a sports journalist, but also a true Inter fan…!
I’m glad, how is the situation with you? Still not good?
Mr. Sandro, if you allow me to talk about something, since in Albania if a conversation with you is published, it will be very attractive for everyone. You are very well known among us too.
With great pleasure.
How do you think, in your judgment, which is the great Morattian “Inter,” the father’s or the son’s?
Difficult to determine. For us the history is written, while for Massimo’s team not yet.
Is “Inter” with Ronaldo a contender for the title?
He is a guarantee. The team still needs to be settled. In particular in midfield, a fantasist player is needed.
When will “Inter” have another Mazzola?
(Laughs) There are many such in these years, in this period.
Mr. Mazzola, do you know that in Tirana, there exists an “Inter Club”?
No, now I am learning it. I am glad.
In Albania there are many Inter fans, how much information do you have about this fact?
I imagine it. I think that morally “Inter” has an obligation for all Albanian Inter fans.
In Tirana there are persons who were imprisoned because they admired “Inter” and you, Sandro.
Is this true? You are surprising me. If this fact is accurate it is strange. They did prison for me? Unbelievable. I would like to know these people.
Would you prefer to come to Albania?
With great pleasure, if you would make me an invitation. Likewise Inter should come too. The team has the possibility to program such a friendly match, in particular during the time of preparations for the new edition.
Does the possibility exist of installing an “Inter Campus” in Albania too?
Why not. I will be among the first who will speak with the Club’s collegium. For us it is of interest. You Albanians are capable of playing football…!
As Inter fans, we would be proud that “Inter” would come to Albania, since only “Torino” and “Parma” have played in Tirana and their matches have turned into a celebration.
Interesting this fact. We have never played with the national teams. Likewise the draw in the Cup has not given us this possibility. “Inter” has played all over the world, while in Albania never. The draw is not in my hand, while the organization of a blitz tournament, only in one evening is completely possible. I will attempt with all forms. Something like that must be realized, that “Inter” be present in your country.
In Albania unlike Italy, when “Inter,” “Milan” or “Juventus” play in the European Cups, there is unity among the fans, likewise when Italy plays, it unites all Albanians.
Is this true? Why does this happen? With us it is the opposite, and in some cases it appears very fierce. You told me a very special secret, I did not know it. In Italy this is unbelievable. Compliments, a sports model, positive of the fan base.
Mr. Sandro, if in Albania they invite you that in a championship match you give the symbolic kick of the ball, would you accept this proposal?
Without discussion. For me it would be a surprise, a pleasure and a way that I feel myself close to the Albanian public and vice versa.
Mr. Mazzola, I wish to see you in Tirana. Likewise many other Albanians. In our country you are very well known, so we await you.
Thank you for the consideration. I am very curious but I say that a suitable time would be better, not in winter. I will leave any kind of commitment. However I am ready. Sincerely and with great pleasure.
Epilogue
Briefly this was that conversation that I managed to develop with Sandro Mazzola, in a city in the south of Italy, while we incidentally assisted to see a match of the Italian championship. I do not pretend that I said everything, what I could talk with him in those minutes. I am of a generation that has a mountain of questions, curiosities to ask if I were given the opportunity to stay long with Sandro. Regardless that in Albania there are fans of “Inter,” “Milan,” “Juventus,” he has been an idol for everyone, just like Celentano, Battisti, Bobby Solo, Little Tony, Reitano, Ranieri, etc. With him a part of life is connected, the emotions of a generation in decades, during which many of the idols you heard on the radio, you saw on TV, without ever being able to touch them or have them near.
Emotional before him, since I was returning spiritually to those moments that we had only dreamed of, perhaps also to keep that journalistic demeanor, as ethics and the Italian sports environment require, many questions, memories and his sports moments, I could not tell him, ask him even though we sat long seated in a comfortable armchair of the hotel. The desire often reacted upon me, since I had near the symbolic protagonist of many Sundays of a youth full of passions, but limited to the extreme and only the radio waves were the only forms and “clandestine” ways with which we communicated with Serie A, when Enrico Ameri, Sandro Ciotti, during the radio sports program “Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto,” called, interrupted each other with exciting phrases and moments that even today have remained fixed clearly and sound as then: “Attenzione, attenzione, qui a San Siro, ‘Inter’ va in vantaggio, con un gol di Mazzola……” while Ciotti with his thick voice interrupted: “Scusa Ameri, a ‘Torino’ e cambiato il risultato, Juve in gol con…..”!
So, Sandro Mazzola has been a very preferred character in Albanian environments, indeed I kept his photograph sewn secretly in the inner part of my jacket and only after a quarter of a century suddenly I was in front of him. An endless desire was created in me to stay with him. I saw that such was also his demeanor. Noble to the maximum, simple and extremely communicative. He laughed with a thin voice, while he smoked tobacco with a pipe.
But, for lack of time, we parted with the hope that not only I but all together Inter fans and not such, for everything that we have archived over the years and covered with passion and remaining in silence, one day we will have the opportunity to show him and tell him, as soon as he has descended in Rinas. I am sure that we will surprise him. For us he remains always Mazzola, Sandro the Great, Mazzola of the historic “Inter” and legend of Moratti and Herrera, like the one who defeated the unbeaten “Real” on the magical Viennese night that does not come again. / Memorie.al
Lecce, Italy, 1997
