Italy 2

 

Salvatore Schillaci (Juventus)
vs. USA (1:0) | World Cup | 1990 in USA

When I started this collection, I never wanted to have an Italy shirt - clearly a bit of a conflict with the overall aim of this blog and collection. Then, I did not want to get a blue Italy shirt, for whatever reason. All that, because I did not like Italian football, at all. In my mind, Italy was a team that kept falling over the own feet to somehow get that one penalty that wins them a trophy. Anti-football at its best. I thought so, because I grew up seeing Germany lose narrowly against Italian teams that did barely try to play football in any meaningful way.

But I grew up - and I was wrong. I have since travelled to Italy repeatedly. I have made Italian friends again and again. And given how horrible the English fans behaved in 2021, I suddenly found myself in front of the TV supporting Italy to win the Euros. And they did. Genuinely, I fell in love with the country, the culture and, a little bit, even the football. I was wrong and missed out so much.

Now, when I had the chance to get this absolute beast - the legendary 1990 Italy shirt - I just had to get it. It cost me 120€ and it is probably matchworn, although I will never know for sure. Either way, it is an absolutely beautiful shirt - plain blue in a lovely tone with golden trimmings. I just love it! There is just one warning: This is not a shirt to wear. It did it, once, in Padua on a rainy day. And even then, I was sweating like hell in this polyester nightmare.