6 of my favourite soccer players
FRANCESCO TOLDO
Country: Italy
Club: AC Fiorentina
Born: 02/12/1971
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 90kg
Position: Goalkeeper
Shirt Number: 12
The giant 'keeper has shown stunning form in recent seasons, but has still not been able to dislodge the much younger Gianluigi Buffon as Dino Zoff's number one.
Though he made his international debut in 1995, his international appearances have been limited. However, he seems to have seen off the challenges of Angelo Peruzzi, Luca Marchegiani and Gianluca Pagluica as second choice. He took over as number two when Peruzzi was forced to pull out of the Italian squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. An excellent shot-stopper, Toldo's size also makes him a formidable figure.
FABIO CANNAVARO
Country: Italy
Club: Parma AC
Born: 13/09/1973
Height: 1.76m
Weight: 75kg
Position: Defender
Shirt Number: 5
Like his club and international colleague Gianluigi Buffon, Cannavaro first caught the eye in Cesare Maldini’s Under-21 side, and was a European champion in 1994 and 1996.
Born and bred in Naples, Cannavaro was a ballboy in the San Paolo stadium during SSC Napoli’s Diego Maradona-inspired glory years in the late 1980’s and it was with his hometown club that he began his career. After joining Napoli at the age of 16, he worked his way through the club’s youth ranks before making his Serie A debut against Juventus aged only 20. In 1995 he moved to Parma AC where he picked up UEFA Cup and Italian Cup winners’ medal in 1998/99.
The tough-tackling defender reads the game well, and is an excellent man-marker. He forms a fine partnership with Frenchman Lilian Thuram in the Parma back line while, at international level, he has developed a great understanding with Alessandro Nesta. He played eight EURO 2000™ qualifying matches.
DEMETRIO ALBERTINI
Country: Italy
Club: Milan AC
Born: 23/08/1971
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 72kg
Position: Midfielder
Shirt Number: 4
One of the most experienced players in the azzurri squad, Albertini has been the midfield metronome for club and country for the best part of a decade now. He has spent his whole career at Milan AC, save for a loan spell with Padova Calcio in 1991.
Still only 28, he has played a key part in Milan’s many successes over the last 10 years, winning five scudettos and, in 1994, the UEFA Champions League. His form may have dipped earlier this season but he remains a sure bet for the Italy squad this summer.
PAOLO MALDINI
Country: Italy
Club: Milan AC
Born: 26/06/1968
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 85kg
Position: Defender
Shirt Number: 3
The hugely-experienced defender is closing in on Italian coach Dino Zoff’s all-time record of 112 caps for Italy, and 12 years into his international career, he remains a regular with the azzuri.
Arguably one of the finest defenders ever, Maldini has played in three World Cups, as well as in EURO 88™ and EURO 96™.
Significantly, Italy conceded just two goals in the six EURO 2000™ qualifying matches in which he played, and he also added a goal against Wales for good measure
He has a well-developed positional sense, is strong in the tackle and breaks forward effectively. He is equally at home at left-back or in the centre of defence.
Few players have won as many honours. He has won six Italian league titles, three European Champion Clubs’ Cups and two UEFA Super Cups with his club, and will be seeking to add international honours to that impressive collection at EURO 2000™.
The son of former Italy coach Cesare Maldini, he made his debut for Milan in January 1985 and has now made over 400 Serie A appearances for the rossoneri.
FILIPPO INZAGHI
Country: Italy
Club: Juventus FC
Born: 09/08/1973
Height: 1.81m
Weight: 74kg
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 9
Affectionately known as ‘Super Pippo’, the former Atalanta BC striker has shown that a slight physique is no barrier to becoming a world-class striker.
He made his name when top-scoring in Serie A with Atalanta, and was subsequently snapped up by Juventus FC
He continued to shine for Juve, scoring 44 league goals in his first two seasons in Turin, and won the scudetto in 1997/98.
An excellent off-the-ball runner, he has a well-developed positional sense and is a lethal finisher. He scored three goals in six games in Italy’s EURO 2000™ qualifying campaign.
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO
Country: Italy
Club: Juventus FC
Born: 09/11/1974
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 73kg
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 10
The natural successor to Roberto Baggio, Del Piero is one of most talented players in the world. Signed by Juventus FC from Serie B side Padova Calcio when aged just 18 years old, he quickly developed into one of Serie A’s most feared attackers.
He loves taking on defenders, is a deadly finisher, and a major threat from free-kicks. He suffered the first serious setback of his career when being sidelined by knee ligament damage in November 1998 but returned at the start of season 1999/2000, and has begun showing his sublime skills once more.
He loves taking on defenders, is a deadly finisher, and a major threat from free-kicks.
He scored 10 goals in Juventus FC’s 1997/98 UEFA Champions League campaign, and has won three league titles, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup with Juve. He has also picked up an Intercontinental Cup winners’ medal after scoring the only goal of Juventus’ match against River Plate in Tokyo in 1996, a strike which earned him the ‘Man of the match’ award. Injury restricted him to just two EURO 2000™ qualifying appearances.
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Del piero smokes the dutch
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Del Piero before the euro2000 final