The first match against Italy goes back to 15th May 1910 in Milan, won by the Italians 6-2. One year on, at Saint-Ouen 1500 spectators witnessed a 2-2 draw on the 9th of April. Both French goals were scored by Red Stars' Eugène Maes, with another Audonien J. Verbrugge also taking part.
Eugène Maes scored three times in the historic first-ever French victory over Italy in Turin (4-3). Also starring that day was popular Red Star goalkeeper Pierre Chayriguès (pictured).
On the 12th of January 1913, in front of 4000 spectators, France welcomed Italy once again, at the Saint-Ouen ground (then called the Stade de Paris). France dominated, Pierre Chayriguès having to make only one save in the first half. Italy were happy to defend in numbers and the French strikers were thwarted by goalkeeper Piero Campelli in fine form. However, that man Eugène Maes scored the only goal of the encounter, giving les Bleus victory for the first time on French soil against Italy. In three matches against the Squadra Azzura, Saint-Ouens' very own marksman had found the net six times, a remarkable feat against any Italian team. Nearly ninety years later, Roger Lemerre coaches the French national side to another historic win against Italy, in particular against the defensive style of catenaccio devised by another ex-Red Star player, Helenio Herrera. Red Star represented one way or another at the final of the Euro 2000 !