Italy vs Norway 1994

Arrigo Sacchi's infamous substitution of Roberto Baggio at USA 94 is still alive in Azzuri’s fans memory. It was the second game of the World Cup, against Norway, and thing was going south. Italy had already lost their opener. Through the first half, netminder Gianluca Pagliuca handled outside his area and was sent-off, leaving the manager with a decision to made. What to do? What would give the team the better chances to win. It looked as the right thing. The most logical choice: bring on the backup keeper Luca Marchegiani for a forward. But Sacchi didn’t drop  Pierluigi Casiraghi. Instead, he took the radical decision to pull off his best player. As the then English co-commentator Liam Brady told, Sacchi was "gambling his whole career". So, consoled by some of the staff members, Baggio went to the bench. Not just before to look the dugout telling the famous “this guy (Sacchi) is crazy.” It was an outstanding scene. Sacchi stood meters away from Baggio, wearing his sunglasses, impenetrabile, probably thinking about his future should Italy lose that game. Sacchi preached team compactness. He needed of a 10-men squad working as a unit. Baggio didn’t conform to this kind of thought. He didn’t help defensively. He couldn't, as he was a No. 10 battling an Achilles injury. It was an unforgettably choice. But he paid. Sacchi’s bravery worked: he won the game via a goal from the other other Baggio. Dino Baggio, he scored the winner and saved Sacchi.