‘I had his poster’ – Italy’s Zaccagni delight after recreating Del Piero goal
The Lazio winger scored a late equaliser against Croatia reminiscent of legend’s goal against Germany in 2006
Mattia Zaccagni grew up wanting to be like Alessandro Del Piero. How could he not, as an Italian aspiring No 10 who celebrated his 11th birthday in the summer of 2006?
He watched as Del Piero helped the Azzurri to a World Cup final, scoring the second of two goals in the dying moments of extra-time to defeat the hosts Germany. Italy went on to lift the trophy after beating France on penalties. Zaccagni could scarcely have dreamed back then that he would one day have a chance to recreate Del Piero’s strike while representing Italy at a major tournament in the same country.
