HIBAPRESS-RABAT-FIFA
Each week, FIFA highlights a record for the FIFA world Cup. Today, close -up on the unique feat of the Italian coach Vittorio Pozzo.
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Vittorio Pozzo has increased Italy on the roof of the world twice
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The legendary Italian coach succeeded in 1934 and 1938
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He was known for his rigorous training methods
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Is there a more beautiful feat than to win a FIFA ™ World Cup to bring your country into the history of football, and forever engrave its name in the golden ball book?
Yes: win it twice!
This is what the coach Vittorio Pozzo managed to do with Italy, by leading the Squadra Azzurra to the firmament first in 1934 then in 1938. Young man eager for travel, Pozzo discovered football during a stay in England. From the outset fascinated by this sport, he became a footballer, evolving at the Grasshopper Zurich then at the Torino, before being appointed technical commissioner of the Italian selection in 1912. His military education and his function of executive manager within the company Pirelli contributes to forging his character. He doesn’t know it yet, but this rigor will help him write his legend. Closely monitoring the lifestyle of his players – and known for his particularly strict training sessions -, he erects discipline, humility, selflessness and respect for the opponent to the rank of cardinal values.
“We will say what we want: nothing in the world has the satisfaction of having accomplished its duty with conviction, with sincerity, with reflection, with prudence, sometimes with obstinacy, and, in the end, with success”, wrote Pozzo, also a journalist during this World Cup, on June 11, 1934 on the front page of the daily La Stampa, in the aftermath of the victory of his team against Czechoslovakia (2-1). In Paris, four years later, Italy remains faithful to its principles and won its second star by dominating Hungary 4-2 in the final. Subsequently, only the Brazil of Pelé will succeed in winning the supreme test twice in a row (in 1958 and in 1962), but with two different selectors: Vicente Feola and Aymoré Moreira.
