Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Carlo Mazzone after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Newcastle: here’s the story behind the T-shirt worn by the Spanish tactician during his post-match interviews last night.
Italian football mourned the ex-tactician who died on Saturday aged 86. Mazzone is the coach with the most Serie A appearances. He worked with countless stars during his career, from Francesco Totti to Roberto Baggio, Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard was particularly attached to Mazzone and honoured him during a post-match interview on Saturday night. Pep wore a T-shirt depicting one of the most classic Calcio moments ever, involving the ex-Brescia and Roma coach. The scene is from the final minutes of the Lombard derby between Brescia and Atalanta in September 2001.
The Rondinelle were 3-1 down with 15 minutes remaining. Roberto Baggio scored one goal at minute 75 prompting Mazzone to ‘threaten’ Atalanta ultras who had insulted him and his family throughout the entire game. ‘If we score another I’ll come down there,’ he repeatedly shouted.
That’s exactly what happened when Baggio scored the equaliser at minute 93. Mazzone ran under the away sector and it was impossible for one of his staff members to stop him. Referee Pierluigi Collina waited for the coach in front of his bench and showed him an obvious red card which Mazzone accepted with no complaints.
Guardiola and Mazzone were close friends off the pitch. The Spaniard invited his ex-coach to the 2009 Champions League Final which he won for Barcelona against Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
“It’s a sad day for me and my family, Mister Mazzone was my manager in Brescia and he passed away today,” Pep said at a press conference on Saturday.
“A big hug to all his family. In a tough moment for me in Italy, he was like a father to me. He was a legend of Italian football. The impact he had on people who knew him was massive. Players, coaches, Presidents.
“I remember some friends sent me this T-shirt a year ago and I said, today is the day I’m going to wear it.”