World Cup '90;   Naples Loves Maradona, but Loves Italy More
LEAD: Some fans in Naples may suffer from conflicting twitches Tuesday when Diego Maradona of Argentina takes the field against Italy in the semifinals of the World Cup.
Some fans in Naples may suffer from conflicting twitches Tuesday when Diego Maradona of Argentina takes the field against Italy in the semifinals of the World Cup.
Almost all Neapolitan fans are expected to root against Maradona and the defending champions, and to root for Italy and its goalkeeper, Walter Zenga, who is closing in on a World Cup record for scoreless minutes. But since coming to the Naples club of the Italian League in 1984, Maradona has helped Napoli win two championships, including one this past season.
For a while he was asking to be traded, but in recent months, he has said he wants to finish out his career here, where he lives in a hilltop villa during the season.
After Argentina's quarterfinal victory over Yugoslavia on Saturday, Maradona tried to lobby for a little divided loyalty, reminding Neapolitans that they are often regarded as 'southerners' or even foreigners by the northern industrial and political power in Italy. 'The Neapolitans must remember one thing,' Maradona said. 'Italy makes it feel important one day of the year, but forgets about it the other 364.'
'No Need'
This theory about prejudice against Naples was rejected by Mayor Pietro Lezzi and Salvatore Schillaci, who comes from Palermo, Sicily. Schillaci, who has four goals for Italy in this World Cup tournament, said: 'It is not true that Maradona's city is discriminated against by the rest of Italy. The fans have no need to support him.'
Schillaci, who in the Italian League plays for Juventus of Turin, added: 'In the last month, I have become a bit of a symbol of the antiracist reunification of the country, and this is the part of the World Cup which I like best.'
Maradona, who has four fewer goals than Schillaci in this World Cup, and who missed a penalty kick in the shootout victory over Yugoslavia on Saturday, added that the victory 'is a gift that I do for Naples.'
Despite Maradona's maneuvering, Argentina will be merely the latest obstacle for the Italian national team, the Azzurri, or the Blues, who have won all five of their games in this World Cup, scoring seven goals and giving up none.
Zenga Downplays Records
Zenga, the Italian goalkeeper, has played all 450 minutes, and is closing in on two records. The record for consecutive minutes in one World Cup, 457, was set in 1978 by Leao of Brazil, and the record for scoreless minutes in all World Cup games is 474, set by Sepp Maier of West Germany in 1974 and matched by him in 1978.
'I tell you that I'm happy to be on a semifinal team in the World Cup,' said the 30-year-old Zenga, who plays for Inter of Milan. 'I'd be lying if I said I was not pleased with the chance for a record, but I would trade a few goals if I knew that Italy would be in the finals.'
Zenga has had to work hard only a few times in the five games, oddly enough in the closing minutes of a 1-0 victory against the United States and in the second half of the 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Ireland on Saturday.
'Our defense is made up of a blend of Inter and Milan players who know each other very well,' Zenga said, referring to the two Italian League teams in Milan.
The Italian League teams play each other at least twice during the season and often four or five times including league cup competitions. Also, the top players are often called to the national team, so there are few secrets and surprises. The four players from the city of Milan who line up in front of Zenga are: Giuseppe Bergomi, 26, the quiet captain from Inter; Franco Baresi, 30, the sweeper from Milan; Riccardo Ferri, 26, from Inter, and Paolo Maldini, 21, from Milan.
'Bergomi and Ferri have been with me for 10 years,' Zenga added, 'and Maldini and Baresi are unique.'
Defense Excels
The Italian defense has been at least as disciplined and dashing as the offense, clearing the ball to the sides, rarely making a mistake, and rarely dishing the ball back to Zenga. All of the defenders have taken an occasional run up the field, to keep enemy defenses honest and to open things up for the new ace scorer, Schillaci, lurking downfield.
Zenga, who is the host of a sports television show, was smoothly diplomatic about the matchup with the wintertime king of Naples.
'We respect Argentina a lot,' Zenga said, 'a lot of it because it has Diego Armando Maradona. But Argentina also has other good players. I think it will be a good match, worthy of Naples.'
When asked what team worried him most in the tournament, Zenga said: 'Argentina is our next match. The ball is my number one enemy.' Argentina has been its own enemy for most of this tournament, scoring only four goals in five games but managing to survive into the semifinals. The hero of the 1986 World Cup, Maradona, has yet to score in this one. He has been fouled more than any other player, and went into the tournament with a painful ingrown toenail and other aches and pains, after a season in which his fitness was often suspect.
Now Maradona must play the Italian team on a hot streak, and it may not matter that the game is being played in Diego Armando's other hometown.