Mazzola, Rivera: “We were friends, but we never understood the rotation policy in the national team”

Rome, 19 Sept. (LaPresse) – Sandro Mazzola “was, first and foremost, a key opponent because he played for the other Milan side. But we were also friends, given that we played together for the national team.” So said Gianni Rivera on Gr1 on Radio1, denying any rivalry with Mazzola. In the national team, “there was a period when they decided to make us play in turns,” he continued, “and we never understood why. Even though he was an Inter player, we had a great relationship; we set up the Italian Footballers’ Association and paved the way for improving players’ lives. We had great respect for one another.”