Giovanni Trapattoni admits he would have liked the chance to replay Italy’s controversial 2002 World Cup defeat to South Korea.
Trappatoni turns 80 on Sunday and, as part of his birthday celebrations, La Repubblica interviewed the legendary Coach about his career.
One of the questions saw him asked whether referee Byron Moreno in 2002 or Hamburg’s Felix Magath in the 1983 European Cup Final caused him more pain.
“Definitely Moreno,” confessed the former Juventus, Milan and Inter boss.
“That’s because what happened at the 2002 World Cup originated from the referee and not our opponents.
“You expect super conduct from the referee, but he committed a great injustice and hurt all of Italy.
“Thinking about it again, if there was a game that I’d play again then it would be Italy-Korea with a different referee.”
Italy had a golden goal disallowed, despite Damiano Tommasi appearing to be onside, and Francesco Totti sent off for an alleged dive, although the forward looked to have been fouled in the box.
The Azzurri consequently crashed out of the 2002 World Cup, which South Korea co-hosted, after then-Perugia striker Ahn Jung-Hwan knocked them out with a golden goal.
Trenchon
0
What?
so what's your saying is the ref sided with korea?
Bewaceklms
1
That tournament was fixed. South Korea also beat Spain after La Roja had a legitimate goal disallowed. FIFA needed a successful home nation and they made sure they got it
That's wrong. We should blame the fact that those asian monkeys defeated europe. Those chinese weren't allowed to win, but they broke the very rule.
Teenobby
0
Don't comment if you have been ignorant to what happened. Search on youtube italy vs south korea 2002 and you'll see how the ref was on korea's side
What?
XxKleit12xX
0
What?
Don't comment if you have been ignorant to what happened. Search on youtube italy vs south korea 2002 and you'll see how the ref was on korea's side
Sieadkntyz
0
the lovely days of Septh Blatter
yemiraji80
3
Yes coach, I understand, the pain of the past can still be as fresh when remember. Happy birthday coach
SMHellas
2
That tournament was fixed. South Korea also beat Spain after La Roja had a legitimate goal disallowed. FIFA needed a successful home nation and they made sure they got it
Teenobby
2
What?