England Flashback: David Platt’s Volley vs Belgium at Italia ‘90

December 10th, 2009 | by: Daryl |

david platt

Let me take you back to World Cup Italia ‘90. England had narrowly won Group F and had been drawn against Belgium in the round of 16. The game was goalless at 90 minutes, and still goalless with extra time about to run out. Penalties loomed.

But in the 119th minute, Gazza dribbled straight at the Belgian defence. He was fouled. He got up to take the free kick himself, and chipped it into the area towards 23 year old Aston Villa midfielder David Platt, who had come off the bench to replace Steve McMahon in the 71st minute. Platt waited and waited for the ball to drop before turning and striking it on the volley. Take a look:

That gave England a 1-0 win, and sent us on to the World Cup quarter-finals to face Cameroon (though that’s a whole other flashback post).

Platt played one more season at Aston Villa before heading back to Italy to play for Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria. He won a UEFA Cup with Juve and the Coppa Italia with Samp. Definitely one of the more successful England internationals to play in Serie A.

Platt also went on to captain England during the Graham Taylor era. Though the less said about that the better. If you really want to relive those years, then give this documentary a watch.

Here’s three minutes and 24 seconds of highlights from that England vs Belgium game, including Gazza picking up a yellow card that we’d all regret two games later.

For more England Flashbacks, click here. If you have suggestions for other England Flashbacks you’d like us to post about, let us know in the comments.

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seif

great news that capello is considering steve harper for the n°1 goalkeeping position!!
Gollum

The more I think about the England squad, the more I like the players we have to do the job… the only problem I have is with the damn 4-4-2. Yes, I know it’s a solid, defensive formation; and I know it suits Capello’s style of play… but, personally, I don’t think it allows our best players to play in their most natural positions.

I have followed Roma for many years, and I think this England squad is perfectly suited to the 4-2-3-1 “strikerless” formation that Roma made popular a few years ago (under Spalletti).

——Rooney——
Gerrard-Lampard- J Cole
—-Barry—Hargreaves—-
A Cole-Ferdinand-Terry-Johnson
——-Green——-

My logic:

a) It suits the best part of Rooney’s game: his ability to hold up play and distribute (the most crucial part of the strikerless formation).

b)It suits A. Cole and Johnson who are both natural wingbacks (not fullbacks), and the 4-2-3-1 is designed for overlapping defensive runs, where the “wingers” (Gerrard and J Cole) drop behind to cover.

c) In the strikerless formation, Gerrard is not pulled out so far to the left as he is in the 4-4-2, and therefore he’s allowed more freedom to contribute offensively. He would be deadly with his right foot if he could cut in more easily.

d) We know Lampard has a tremendous eye for goal, and the 4-2-3-1 gives him more responsibility going forward.

e) Barry and Hargreaves are both very capable tacklers, and they read the game well, so the (admitted) vulnerability to counter-attack is much less. Together I think they could dominate the middle of the park. Barry is ready to step up to world-class caliber, and let’s not forget how good Hargreaves was in ‘06.

Obviously this plan presupposes certain conditions… Hargreaves recovering in time, Ferdinand being healthy, key players staying fit… but I think it’s the ideal formation! There is so much talent on this team, and I really don’t like the idea of defending our way to glory. We have the talent to attack and impose! Remember: fortune favours the brave.

Anyway, I know it will never happen, but I just thought I’d share my fantasy football schemes with my fellow England world cup winning hopefuls
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Gollum,

I was discussing that formation with someone over the weekend.

I’d argue that it doesn’t really get the best out of Rooney, because his real strength is operating in that space behind a striker (like Emile Heskey) rather than being the most forward player. So in many many ways I prefer Capello’s system, with a target striker and Rooney behind.

But…

If England find ourselves in a situation where we need to defend a lead, or against a team that’s just too good for us, then I think your 4-2-3-1 is an excellent approach. Would give us lots of bodies in midfield and still enough of a threat going forward.