Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci reveals why he “refused to take a penalty” in the Italia ’90 shoot-out against Argentina.
He was top scorer in that World Cup with six goals, but did not take part in the semi-final shoot-out after the game ended 1-1 at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.
Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci reveals why he “refused to take a penalty” in the Italia ’90 shoot-out against Argentina.
He was top scorer in that World Cup with six goals, but did not take part in the semi-final shoot-out after the game ended 1-1 at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.
“We knew that game was difficult and there was a bit of contrast between the Napoli fans and the Italy supporters because of Maradona,” Schillaci told CalcioNapoli24.
“We took the lead with my goal, then it ended the way nobody expected it to. I refused to take a penalty because after extra time my adductor muscles really hurt and I preferred to leave it to someone else.
“We went out of the World Cup. I remember sitting in the locker room for an hour before having a shower, just out of sheer regret.”
Schillaci was asked if he saw his heir apparent in today’s modern Italian football.
“It’s difficult to say. There’s Zaza, who is an important striker for Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”13″>Sassuolo and will be for the Nazionale too. There’s also Ciro Immobile, who in some circumstances does remind me of the old Totò.”