Today is a special day, for the National Team is celebrating turning 110. With more than a century having passed since Italy’s first fixture, the Azzurri continue to be adored by millions of Italians as they represent our country on the world stage wearing the famous blue shirt, one of the main symbols of Italian identity.

The Azzurri’s story began on 15 May 1910: at the Arena Civica in Milan, Italy took to the pitch dressed in white to face France, who had played their first match six years prior to this against Belgium in Brussels. The National Team made a blistering start, running out 6-2 winners in front of 4000 spectators thanks to Lana’s hat-trick and goals from Fossati, Rizzi and Debernardi. And it’s that success against the French that the FIGC is looking back on as we celebrate this special anniversary. Accompanying the slogan ‘Insieme da 110 anni. Oggi come allora.’ (‘Together for 110 years. Now as then.’) is a piece of work produced by Carlo Angelini, in which a particular moment of that historic match and the 12 faces of the protagonists (eleven players and the Head Coach, Umberto Meazza) are shown. The details contained in the players’ kits and the font have been created ad hoc for the occasion and are the result of research conducted into iconographic sources of the time. The distant past evoked is still very much alive in our imagination.

“The Italian National Team belongs to all Italians,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. “For 110 years, it has played a part in social cohesion and continued to excite, even in the most difficult moments experienced by our country. The hope is to see Mancini’s National Team on the pitch again soon so that new pages of this splendid story can continue to be written. Let’s celebrate the past while looking towards the future with confidence.”

Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini added the following: “The National Team is a symbol of a country which has always been able to pick itself back up following moments of difficulty, demonstrating cohesion and collaborative spirit in doing so. These are two defining qualities of us Italians. It’s an honour to be able to lead a team which enjoys the support of millions of its compatriots, who I would like to thank for the affection and passion they’ve shown in backing us. I hope to bring them the joy that they deserve to experience.”

The 110th anniversary celebrations will predominately take place via a digital campaign on Italy’s social media channels. Once the current epidemiological emergency allows for it, a plaque will be installed at the Arena Civica in Milan commemorating the Azzurri’s debut fixture. The FIGC’s proposal has been enthusiastically welcomed by the Municipality and Roberta Guaineri, the Councillor for Sport, who is helping to restructure and modernise the entire complex. The Arena Civica is ready to move towards the future by also celebrating its long history. It’s a venue which will always be linked to the birth of the team most loved by Italians.

From that debut fixture 110 years ago, the National Team has accompanied the story of our country, becoming a part of collective memories, daily rituals and wonderful societal experiences. The Azzurri have been loved by millions of people and entire generations: children, fathers and mothers, grandparents and great-grandparents.

The National Team helped the country overcome the ‘Years of Lead’ with its 1982 World Cup triumph, while it got Italian football back on track with the 2006 World Cup success in Berlin after the sport had been hit by scandals at home. Italy were amongst the best teams in the world throughout the 1960s and 1970s, accompanying the country’s post-war economic boom. The Azzurri shirt, which is held in high esteem throughout the globe, has been worn by hundreds of champions who have made it legendary: over 800 players have had the honour to do so over 110 years. All in all, the Azzurri have been involved in 824 matches, reaching 18 World Cups and ten European Championships (including the next one). Furthermore, the National Team has won four World Cups (two in a row in the 1930s), one European Championship, one gold medal and two bronze medals at the Olympics, and two Central European International Cups prior to the Euros being established.

MORE ON THE AZZURRI’S DEBUT. Italy vs. France was played on Sunday 15 May 1910 at the Arena Civica in Milan in front of 4,000 spectators. The team selection was based on two matches held in Milan in the weeks prior to this, with a team of ‘possible players’ facing off against a team of ‘probable’ players. In the end, the firsts were chosen to represent Italy.

The man who made the first selection was Umberto Meazza, a director at US Milanese and a former referee, who, along with four other referees, was part of the very first Committee. Players from Pro Vercelli, the strongest Italian team at the time, didn’t play with their club embroiled in a dispute relating to the league, meaning that only players from their youth academy had lined up against Inter in the Scudetto play-off decider. Italy’s team included eight players from the Milanese sides (predominantly US Milanese players), two from Torino and Andrea Doria player Calì, who captained the side for the occasion. Italy soon took the lead and then doubled their advantage through Nerazzurri man Fossati, who would sadly die on the front in 1916. The match went on to finish 6-2.

Italy played in white, just like they would two weeks later away to Hungary. In their third fixture (also against Hungary), they switched to the famous blue in a tribute to the House of Savoy.