In the light of their impressive European tournament, and the vibrancy in the Italian squad, Bettor.com looks at the best players to have donned the Azzurri shirt.
The feature will be divided into three parts, and each part would look to breakdown the best Italian players of the past decade and their contributions to Italian football; whether it is in the international colours or for their respective clubs.
One aspect unique to Italian football is that the core of La Nazionale has always been involved in the local league, and there is a certain degree of pride associated with playing in the domestic competitions. The cohesiveness and unity that Italians play
with has been attributed to the fact that majority of the players play in the Serie A, and they incorporate that style for the national team as well.
The first part would concentrate on the defensive line of the Italian team.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluigi-Buffon-c14833 (Goalkeeper):
The Juventus shot stopper has proven time and again his worth to the Italian cause, however he was not always the first choice keeper. Buffon was meant to start as the first choice goalkeeper in the European Championships in 2000, but he managed to break
his hand in a warm up match. His place was taken over by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea.
However, Buffon made his way back into the side and was in impeccable form in the 2006 World Cup, where he kept five clean sheets and conceded only two goals.
Buffon has been ever present in the Italian team and for Juventus as well. He is undoubtedly one of the finest goalkeepers to have donned the Azzurri jersey. He will be regarded in the same breath as the legendary http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dino-c11319 Zoff in the future, and the player.
He is also the most expensive goalkeeper in history, following his move from Parma to Juventus. He took over the captaincy reins following Cannavaro’s retirement from football.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluca-Zambrotta-c14831 (Right-back)
The former Juventus player has been one of the most consistent full backs to have ever played for the Italian outfit. Even though he was not the most glamorous player in the Azzurri colours, he was a regular in the team due to the tenacity he had shown throughout
his playing career.
Never one to give up, he always persevered, in defence and attack; and provided the Italians with a great balance between attack and defence, and was a key member to the squad. The Italians played with big target men during the 2000’s and Zambrotta’s crossing
proved to be a big asset.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabio-Cannavaro-c13164 (Centre-back)
Despite his height, Cannavaro was one of the best headers in the Italian team, and his tactical acumen combined with his tenacity was a big asset to the team. Cannavaro captained the Italian national team in the 2006 World Cup, and won the Ballon d’Or for
his performances as well. He did not take a step wrong in the World Cup, and was instrumental in their success in the World Championships.
His leadership skills are appreciated everywhere that he has played; and what was even more impressive that he led his team through the Calciopoli scandal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Nesta-c4735 (Centre- back)
A commanding presence throughout his career, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 defender epitomised the Italian defenders; who were tall, strong and always had the perfect timing in tackle. Nesta struck fear in the best of strikers, and rarely gave any striker a whiff at
goal.
Had he not been as injury prone as he was, Nesta would have become an even bigger name in Italian football, however, at the club level, he achieved legendary status wherever he went.
Paolo Maldini (Left-back)
Even though Maldini showed his youthful exuberance in the 1990’s, the AC Milan legend defied age as he continued to play at the highest level for the longest period of time. Tall and elegant in his style of play, Maldini had a beautiful left foot, and his
versatility proved to be his biggest weapon as well.
He was comfortable playing a left back, as well as a centre back. His marauding runs into the opposition half are synonymous to the golden era of Italy and Milan, and even though he retired in 2002, an Italian team without Maldini looks incomplete.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: