Domenech still wonders ‘why’ Zidane headbutted Materazzi and teases Italy: ‘Donnarumma saved you’

Former France coach Raymond Domenech still asks himself why Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final and is very critical of the current Italy squad: ‘Donnarumma saved you against Israel, you play badly.’

Former France coach Domenech spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the 2006 World Cup campaign that saw Les Blues reach the Final against Italy, losing on penalties.

“I watched it again, only ten years later and just in fragments,” said the ex-France coach.

“Mostly, Zidane’s sending off because everyone kept talking to me about it all the time.”

Zidane scored the opening goal from the spot in the final, but the Azzurri levelled the score just a few minutes later with Materazzi, and the Italian defender was headbutted by the France star in the extra time.

“Knowing him [Zidane], I knew something like that could happen, but sometimes I still wonder why he behaved that way,” said Domenech.

“Still, Vieira’s injury had a bigger impact. But now, it’s the past.”

Domenech once said that one team won the 2006 World Cup Final, but the other didn’t lose. Does he still feel this way?

“Even for FIFA, it counts as a draw,” he said.

“It’s like an Olympic silver medal, and many tell me it was the most beautiful World Cup. I have no regrets. We were the favourites and the Italians only played with pride for ten minutes after Zidane’s goal, which came too early.”

France won the World Cup in 2018 and lost another Final in 2022, while Italy missed the last two editions of the World Cup and will probably need to go through the playoffs to qualify for the tournament in 2026.

“It makes me smile. I know what it means. Those are high-tension matches,” Domenech concluded.

“I watched Italy against Israel. Donnarumma saved you. You play badly, and to think some people criticise France…”