Inter Legend Sandro Mazzola: “I Had To Ask Permission From My Mother & Teacher To Play Against Juventus” | OneFootball

Former Inter star Sandro Mazzola has revealed the lengths he had to go to feature in the Derby d’Italia against Juventus in June 1961.

The forward started as Inter were thrashed 9-1 by the Bianconeri, with a selection of youth team players taking to the field in protest, after Inter were awarded a 2-0 victory when Juventus fans invaded the pitch, only to see the decision overturned.

In an interview with Il Bianconero, Mazzola recounted how as a 17-year-old he had to gain permission to play. Mazzola also discussed netting his first ever professional goal from the penalty spot, which proved little more than a consolation for Inter in the humiliating defeat.

“The news came through that the decision had been made to let the young lads play the match, including me, but my mother wasn’t interested and insisted that I had to go to school,” Mazzola claimed.

“In the end I had to speak to the headmaster of the school and ask for his permission to excuse me so that I could go to play in Serie A.

“At the beginning of the match Juventus didn’t want to try too hard and were just dribbling without shooting, but the crowd began to whistle so they took it seriously and it was the end of the match as a contest.

“When I scored, I almost couldn’t believe it. I was terribly afraid when I walked up to the penalty spot and had planned to shoot to the right, but at the last minute I changed my mind and fooled the goalkeeper.”

Mazzola spent his entire career at Inter and went on to make 568 appearances for the Nerazzurri before retiring in 1977, having netted 161 goals for the club.

The Italian international helped Inter to the Serie A title on four occasions and was twice a European Cup winner with the club.