Italy (ITA) Player Profile

BIRTH DATE 26/07/66  PLACE ROMA (RM) International Debut 06/09/1995 v Slovenia (won 1-0) Angelo Di Livio began his career with AS Roma, but he did not play a match for them. After several years in the Italian lower Leagues, the industrious midfielder joined Juventus. He made his Serie A debut in 1993 against Roma. He remained with Juventus until the 1998/1999 season, winning three Italian league titles, a Coppa Italia, two Italian Super Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. In 2001 Di Livio won the Coppa Italia with Fiorentina. Late starter in international terms. Caught Sacchi's eye in title-winning Juventus team in 1995 after being a regular with AS Roma. A surprise call-up into Dino Zoff’s preliminary 26-man squad for EURO 2000™. He found it hard-going breaking into the first team, so before he had even made his Serie A debut he was shipped off to Reggiana AC in Serie C1. Di Livio then spent nine season in the lower reaches of the Italian league, never reaching higher than Serie B while appearing, at various times, for US Nocerina, AC Perugia and Padova Calcio. His big break came in 1993 when he was transferred to Italian giants Juventus FC. Few expected him to possess the necessary class to survive in Serie A, but, once he was given the opportunity of a first team place, Di Livio confounded his critics with a series with a series of battling displays that earned him the nickname "Little Soldier". A strong runner and tackler with fearsome commitment and heart, Di Livio is also an adept crosser of the ball. A three-times Serie A winner with Juventus, Di Livio is equally as comfortable as a wing-back or midfielder. BIRTH DATE 03/06/71  PLACE ROMA (RM) International Debut 28/01/1998 v Slovakia (won 3-0) A dominating force in the midfield, Luigi di Biagio is most recognised by his miss in the fifth round of penalty kicks against the hosts in the quarter finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™. He did his best to chase away those ghosts when he connected in the shoot-out against Holland in the semi-finals of the European Championship 2000. He has collected 20 caps for the national team. He began his career with Lazio in 1989 at the age of 17. He has spent the last two seasons with Inter Milan after stints with AS Roma and Foggia. Italy's hero-come-villain at France 98 - its best player for much of the tournament but missed the penalty which condemned it to defeat against the hosts in the quarterfinals. Shaven-headed tough tackler who made his name at AS Roma before surprise move to Inter. Though he started his career with S.S. Lazio, the combative midfielder came to prominence with city rivals AS Roma. An excellent 1998/99 season for the capital club earned him a move to Internazionale FC last summer. Effectively a midfield destroyer, Di Biagio possesses the ability to break up opposition attacks, make timely tackles and get forward when needed. He made his international debut against Slovakia in January 1998, and had an excellent World Cup later that year. He started in three of Italy's EURO 2000™ qualifying matches. One man who could benefit from Albertini's poor domestic form is Luigi Di Biagio. The hard-working, Internazionale player is ideal for the midfield anchor role. He's solid and a fine passer of the ball who isn't afraid to tackle. BIRTH DATE 19/02/77  PLACE COMO International Debut 10/02/1999 v Norway (drew 0-0) Gianluca Zambrotta started his career in Serie B with his local team Como, before joining Bari in 1997. After two seasons Juventus bought the midfielder. With Juve he missed out on an Italian league title on the final day of the 1999/2000 season. Zambrotta had a busy summer that year, playing in EURO 2000 and also the Olympic Games in Sydney. He was sent off in Italy's semi-final against the Netherlands in EURO 2000, and therefore missed the final against France. This season, though, he did win the scudettto with Juventus, again on the last day of the season. The pacy and powerful midfielder is a highly effective right-wing raider, who has excelled in his first season with Juventus FC. Formerly with AS Bari, Zambrotta has fitted seamlessly into the Juve set-up. However, even prior to his move to Turin, he had made the step-up to the national team, making his debut against Norway in February 1999. His greater guile and speed, may see him preferred to the other experienced players. Zambrotta is a young player who has broken into the international arena in the last year after a string of impressive performances for Juventus. A versatile player who is a coach's dream as he is willing to help the defence as well as get forward. BIRTH DATE 08/01/77  PLACE PATERNO (CT) International Debut 10/07/2000 v Romania (won 3-0) Francesco Coco made his Serie A debut with AC Milan on 27 August 1995. He was a member of the rossoneri squad that won the Italian League titles in 1996 and 1999. Because of strong competition for places at Milan and a subsequent lack of first team appearances, Coco has had loan spells at Vicenza and Torino. The wingback currently plays for Spanish giants FC Barcelona. At a time when it is all too fashionable to lament the problems faced by young Italian players trying to emerge in Serie A, the young man has proved that there is still space at the top for homegrown quality talent. Trapattoni apparently had no worries about throwing young Coco into the fray, and he made an excellent debut, using his pace to constantly get behind the Romanian defence down the left flank. The Italians would appear to have found a new, important player for the future. BIRTH DATE 10/04/77  PLACE CARRARA (MS) International Debut 11/07/2001 v Japan (drew 1-1) Zanetti had a fantastic youth career that included the UEFA Under-21 European Championship title in 2000. He broke into the professional ranks with AC Fiorentina, but made his breakthrough in Serie B with AC Venezia, then Reggiana AC. Now with Inter Milan, the combative midfielder made his debut for the Italian national team in a November 2001 friendly against Japan alongside Cristiano Doni. Central midfielder with extraordinary tactical intelligence, on the field he proves to be particularly meticulous in suggestions. He is a talented young player on whom Inter is ready to bet, for the future. BIRTH DATE 19/02/77  PLACE CORIGLIANO CALABRO (CS) International Debut 02/23/2000 v Sweden (won 1-0) Gennaro Gattuso had only played ten matches for Perugia before Glasgow Rangers signed the industrious midfielder on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. After one year in Scotland, Gattuso returned to Italy to play for Salernitana. He impressed the AC Milan scouts and joined the Italian giants in 1999. With the Italian Under-21 squad Gattuso won the European championship in Slovakia in 2000. Under 21 European Champion in 2000, he is a very charismatic player. Tenacious fighter of the ball that won't back down. BIRTH DATE 17/05/1974  PLACE NEGRAR International Debut 11/18/1998 v Spain (drew 2-2) Damiano Tommasi began his career at Verona. In 1996 he moved to AS Roma. The midfielder was an integral part of the Roman side that won the Italian league title in 2001. The midfielder, who is reserve captain of Roma, played all 34 matches during that season. In 2001 he also won the Italian Super Cup. BIRTH DATE 04/01/1973  PLACE ROMA International Debut 11/07/2001 v Japan (drew 1-1) Doni was a late arrival on the international scene, as he did not make his first appearance for the Azzurri until the age of 28. He wasted little time in making his mark, however, as he scored within six minutes of his debut in a 1-1 draw against Japan. Now sporting the colours of Atalanta in Serie A, Doni spent six seasons in the lower Italian leagues before helping Brescia to the top level in 1997/8. He returned to Serie B the following year with Atalanta, but helped his new team back to the top flight after two seasons. BIRTH DATE 09/11/74 PLACE CONEGLIANO (TV)  International Debut 25/03/1995 v Estonia (won 4-1) 2002 could see the resurrection of Alessandro Del Piero on the international scene. Crowned champion of Italy with Juventus in May, the saviour of the ""Old Lady"" as Juve is known, has enjoyed his most prolific season since his serious ligament injury in November 1998, notching 21 goals. His perfect partnership with France's David Trezeguet and the incredible progress made by his team have contributed to his phenomenal success. Del Piero began his Juventus career as a precocious 18-year-old in 1993. It took him just one season to make his mark and the gifted creator has been terrorising the Serie A with his impeccable skills ever since. He is deadly in the penalty area and devastating from free-kicks, but it his passing game that sets him apart. He has the ability to do the right thing at the right time, all with an effortless elegance that could only come from an Italian. With his flowing locks and longing eyes, ""Alex"" could pass for a diva. On the contrary, he is an absolutely incessant workhorse. At 28, Del Piero is indispensable both for Juventus and the national team. Even in such illustrious company as Trezeguet and Vieri, he is considered the most charismatic striker in Italy (according to the 2001 Football Awards), and carries the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/JapanTM. Rarely has a player acquired so many nicknames - from ""Mr Goal-a-game"" to ""Pinturicchio"" in homage to the Renaissance painter, and ""Brave little soldier"", because of his never-say-die attitude under any circumstances. Del Piero has become an Azzurri mainstay over the years, breaking into the Italian national team as early as USA 94 and reaching the quarter-finals with his country at France 98. Having won the Scudetto four-times, the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup with Juventus (scoring the winner in the 1996-97 final), Del Piero has set his sights on finally adding a FIFA World Cup to his list of honours in 2002. The master technician has even relinquished the famous number 10 jersey in a bid to get back to his roots, wearing the number 7 he first sported for his tiny home-town club of San Vendemiano. Diabolically accurate and incredibly powerful striker.    BIRTH DATE 09/08/73  PLACE PIACENZA International Debut 08/06/1997 v Brazil (drew 3-3) Filippo Inzaghi became Italy's topscorer with 24 goals in the 1996/1997 season while playing for Atalanta. Juventus snapped up the striker who earned his nickname Superpippo because of his prolific scoring record in Serie A. During his stay at the Turin club he won an Italian Super Cup (1997) and an Italian league title in 1998. Inzaghi, who now stars for AC Milan, was a member of the Juve team that lost the 1998 UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid. Classic goal-poaching striker, makes up for modest physique with quick thinking.  Made Serie A debut with Parma in 1995 but off-loaded to Atalanta where finished as league's top scorer in 1996-97 season with 22 goals. Joined Juve in 1997 and quickly gelled with Del Piero, scoring 18 goals in the black-and-white shirt. A terrier-type forward with a poacher's instinct for goal - has scored 26 for Juve this season (as of April 29). 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 international debut in 1997 during the 3-3 thriller with Brazil and played in seven of Italy's Euro 2000 qualifiers, scoring three goals. BIRTH DATE 12/07/73  PLACE BOLOGNA International Debut 30/03/1997 v Moldova(won 3-0) It is a good thing he lets his feet do the talking, otherwise the world would know little of Christian Vieri. In fact, the Italian striker's habit of starting a sentence with 'erm', then keeping it as short and simple as possible, has earned him the nickname 'Bobo', meaning stupid. Monosyllabic might be a better description. Still, he should be at his most eloquent at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/JapanTM, which is really all that matters. The Azzurri's best hopes of winning the upcoming tournament rest on the big Inter Milan centre-forward. Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni has nothing short of full confidence in Vieri's ability. ""Italy's progress depends on the form of Vieri,"" commented the manager. Vieri's position on the pitch is called 'ariete', or battering ram in the Italian tongue. Even if you don't speak the language, the subtext is fairly obvious. Vieri breaks opponents with his ability to conjure goals out of nothing and his monstrous size. He is a pure match-winner. Unlike a number of other natural finishers, Vieri is also a team player. When Ronaldo recently rejoined him in the Inter frontline, it was noted that Vieri diverted his efforts towards helping the Brazilian find his form and confidence. ""The reason I play is not to top any scorers' chart, but to win,"" he once said. ""When I was at Atletico Madrid I won the Pichichi award (given to Spain's top marksman) yet all the club got was a UEFA Cup place. That does not interest me, I just want to win."" If Vieri is a ""winner"", it is a trait the player says he owes to his French mother Nathalie. It is also a word he became familiar with during an Australian (and English-speaking) childhood. When Vieri was four, his parents emigrated so that his father, also a professional footballer, could end his playing days in Sydney. When Christian returned to Italy at 15 years of age, it was to start his own career with the Tuscany-based teams Santa Lucia and then Prato, a third-division club. Three years later, in 1991, he was ready for Serie A, making his debut for Torino. Then came the first of many moves as he transferred to Serie B and Pisa, where he netted just twice in 18 games. Still, the goals, and the moves rolled on: Ravenna (12 goals in 32 appearances), Venezia (11 in 29), Atalanta (7 in 19). Incredibly, he left after only one season to sign for Lazio (12 goals in 22 matches) in 1998, then Inter the next year. And despite talk of new interest from Juventus, he has been at the San Siro ever since. For the moment, though, Vieri's sights are set on the Far East. His determination to play is such that last September he refused surgery on an achilles injury because doctors could not guarantee a complete recovery. Instead, he treated the problem with a steady regimen of thermal mud baths. This desire to showcase his talents on the world stage can be partially explained by his absence from EURO 2000 two years ago, when an eve-of-tournament injury ruled him out. BIRTH DATE 27/09/76  PLACE ROMA (RM) International Debut 10/01/1998 v Swizerland (won 2-0) Any attacking player that shines consistently in such a defensive league as Serie A will almost certainly be one of the most talented players in the world. Francesco Totti has already proved he is one of the best second strikers in Italy and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/JapanTM will give him the perfect platform to prove it to a watching world. Totti began his professional career at 16 when he debuted for AS Roma in March 1993. Though he would play in just ten games the next two seasons, Totti already had invaluable experience that would only help him down the road, and by 1995, he was a regular. His eye for goal did not focus until the 1997-98 season. Totti scored 13 goals that year and showed the rest of the country that he had arrived. Totti is best suited as an attacking midfielder/withdrawn forward. With the national team, he is part of Italy's three-man strike corps, along with Christian Vieri and Alessandro del Piero. But the Roma captain typically stays tucked behind the two, where he is just as lethal as any other striker. At the UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000, Totti displayed his skills to the rest of Europe. He scored an amazing goal against Romania, scored a crucial penalty kick against Holland and played superbly in the final against France. He played so well, he was named Man of the Match, despite losing to France, 2-1. The next Serie A season, Totti was a vital member of AS Roma's squad. With Argentine superstar Gabriel Batistuta, Totti formed one of the most potent offences in Italy. Roma captured the Serie A title, and along the way, Totti, Roma's captain, collected 13 goals. In Korea/Japan, Totti will be given control of the squad and will be counted on heavily to help Italy capture their fourth world championship. If they do, Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni feels Totti will be the difference because of his unique talent. ""Every player has some genius, but there's only one Van Gogh, and there is nobody like Totti,"" Trapattoni has said. BIRTH DATE 07/04/73 PLACE MILANO (MI) International Debut 10/02/1999 v Norway (drew 0-0) Marco Delvecchio made his Serie A debut with Internazionale against Fiorentina on 1 March 1992. The striker had to wait until the 2000/2001 season before finally winning a trophy. In that season he won the Italian league title with AS Roma. In 2001 Delvecchio, who played in the EURO 2000 final in Rotterdam against France in which he scored the opening goal, also added the Italian Super Cup to his trophy cabinet. A tenacious striker that has bonded well with Francesco Totti at Roma. Strong kick and good anticipation skills. Product of Inter Milan youth sytem, made debut at age 19 against Fiorentina. Brief spells at Venezia and Udinese before returning to Inter. Joined Roma on loan in November 1995 in exchange for Marco Branca. Won first cap for Italy against Norway in February '99. He may look clumsy at times but what he lacks in subtlety, he makes up for in determination and sheer hard work. BIRTH DATE 18/06/74 PLACE POMIGLIANO D'ARCO (NA) International Debut 05/06/1999 v Wales (won 4-0) Vincenzo Montella made a name for himself at Serie C club Empoli. After a year at Serie B level with Genoa, the striker remained in the same city, but was transferred to Genoa's arch rivals Sampdoria. After they were relegated Montella moved to AS Roma where he became an instant hit scoring 18 goals in his debut season. In the 2000/2001 season he contributed 13 goals to Roma's Italian league title win. In that same year Montella also won the Italian Super Cup. Signed from Sampdoria's arch-rivals Genoa in the '96 close season after hitting 21 goals in serie B. Since then he has confirmed his reputation as a natural goal predator - with most of his goals coming from inside six-yard box. The slight, speedy forward scored 42 goals in 61 league appearances in his first two seasons at Sampdoria between 1996 and 1998. Neat little forward who moved to AS Roma when his Sampdoria side was relegated. Previously at Genoa and Empoli. Youngest of five brothers, almost had to give up soccer in 1993 due to a heart infection. Roma's top scorer this season, is known for his trademark "aeroplane" celebration of each goal. A fine passer of the ball, as well as a lethal finisher, Montella is excellent at bringing team-mates into play. BIRTH DATE 28/01/78 PLACE CARRARA (MS) International Debut 29/10/1997 v Russia (drew 1-1) Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his debut for Parma at the tender age of 17. He immediately kept a clean sheet against AC Milan. With Parma he won the UEFA Cup, the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup in 1999. His transfer to Juventus during the summer of 2001 made him the most expensive shot-stopper in the world. A strong and imposing player on the field, Buffon demonstrates a calmness and presence of mind worthy of any veteran Serie A goalkeeper.  Standing at 1.88m, he has a good command of his area and excellent aerial authority. In many ways he reminds one of Milan's Sebastiano Rossi, though it is my sincere hope that he will outshine Rossi and not doesn't pick up on his erraticness! Made league debut at 16 and became Italy's second youngest goalkeeper of all time when he made his full debut in 1997 as a substitute against Russia in a World Cup playoff in Moscow. He has since secured a regular place in the national side, and he played seven EURO 2000™ qualifying matches, keeping four clean sheets. Calm beyond his years, he is an imposing presence, athletic and acrobatic with great reflexes. He is nephew of Lorenzo Buffon, who played 15 times in goal for Italy between 1958 and 1962, while both his sisters are accomplished volleyball players. He won the UEFA Cup and Italian Cup with Parma in 1998/99 and has also picked up a UEFA European Under –21 Championship winners medal in a career which will surely only get better for this down-to-earth young ‘keeper. He made his first appearance for the national team when coming on as a substitute during the 1998 World Cup play-off clash with Russia in a snowy Moscow. The match ended 1-1 and Italy eventually won through to France '98. Since then Buffon has secured a regular place in the national side, and played in seven Euro 2000 qualifying matches, keeping four clean sheets. BIRTH DATE 02/12/71 PLACE PADOVA International Debut 08/10/1995 v Croatia (drew 1-1) In any other national team Francesco Toldo would probably have more than 50 caps by now. That he has less than half is a testament to the standard of goalkeeping in Italy's Serie A and in particular his battle for the No 1 jersey with Gianluigi Buffon. Which of the world class keepers will claim the spot between the posts remains a source of heated debate over pasta and wine. Toldo was a member of the Italian squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup FranceTM but did not play a match. He got his shot at the UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000 after Buffon broke his hand prior to the start of the tournament. He responded admirably and played superbly, helping Italy reach the final. Perhaps his best performance in the tournament came in the semi-finals, when he stopped four Dutch penalty shots as Italy ousted Holland via the penalty-kick shootout. Toldo has played his entire career in Italy. He was with AC Milan early in his career but eventually moved on, stopping at Verona, Trento, and Ravenna along the way before making his mark at Fiorentina. Between 1993 and 2001, Toldo was the first choice at the Florence club in both Serie A and Champions League matches. After Fiorentina, Toldo moved to Inter Milan where his leadership and brilliant saves have had more than just a hand in Inter's resurgence. Though Toldo only started three qualifiers in the run up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, he is very much an important member of the Italy squad and can be counted on to be an emotional leader for his team regardless of whether he starts games on the bench or between the posts.   BIRTH DATE 08/07/77 PLACE ABBIATEGRASSO (MI) International Debut Uncapped Christian Abbiati joined AC Milan from Monza in 1998. The goalkeeper quickly earned a first team place at the San Siro. Abbiati, who won the Italian league title in his debut season at Milan, had a busy summer in 2000. He first helped the Italian youth side to glory in the European Under-21 Championship and was then called up to the senior squad for EURO 2000 following Gianluigi Buffon's withdrawal through injury. After that tournament Abbiati also represented his country at the Sydney Olympics. Selected on the strength of superlative performances for Milan during the 1999-2000 season, Abbiati has the chance to emulate his childhood hero, Walter Zenga, by making the number one jersey his own. Joining Milan from Monza, he impressed during the Rossoneri's Scudetto-winning late run in the 1998/99 season, displacing San Siro favourite Sebastiano Rossi as his team pipped Lazio for the title. A former Under-21 international, he now has a chance to cement a place in the Azzurri line-up for many years to come. Unlikely to play but will enjoy the experience. As well as being a keen disco-dancer, Abbiati is a major fan of basketball. He burst on to the Serie A scene during the Rossoneri's Scudetto-winning run during the 1998/99 season, taking over from San Siro favourite Sebastiano Rossi and helping his club overhaul Lazio for the title. He has continued in the same vein this season, showing composure beyond his years to go with his undoubted talent. BIRTH DATE 13/09/73  PLACE NAPOLI (NA) International Debut 22/01/1997 v N Ireland (won 2-0) Fabio Cannavaro is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. The centre back made his debut in Serie A for Napoli on 7 March 1993. After the 1994/1995 season he moved to Parma where he won the UEFA Cup, the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup in 1999. Cannavaro played in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™. He was also a member of the Italian team that lost the EURO 2000 final against France. Aggressive hard-tackling defender who established himself in Tournoi and was impressive against Georgia in Tbilisi.  Effectively marked Alan Shearer, now injured, out of February's match at Wembley.  An accomplished centre back, Cannavaro joined Parma in 1995 after three seasons at home club Napoli. Makes up for slight physique with superb technique and vision. Fast replacing Paolo Maldini as the heart-throb of teenage girls across Italy. 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. The tough-tackling defender reads the game well, and is an excellent man-marker. He played eight EURO 2000™ qualifying matches. He rose to prominence in the mid-1990's as part of Cesare Maldini's Under-21 side, winning European titles in 1994 and 1996. Cannavaro made his full international debut in the 2-0 victory against Northern Ireland in 1997 and is now known a s a tough-tackling defender who reads the game well and is an excellent man-marker. After starting his career with Napoli, he moved to Parma in 1995 and was part of the victorious UEFA Cup side in 1998/99. Along with Christian Panucci he was the only Italian to play in all of the Euro 2000 qualifying matches. BIRTH DATE 26/06/68  PLACE MILANO (MI)  International Debut 31/03/1988 v Yugoslavia (drew 1-1) The name Maldini has special significance in Italian football. Following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Cesare Maldini, who was a star for AC Milan and Italy in the 1960s before becoming national coach, Paolo Maldini is now writing football history as one of the world's greatest defenders. He has played for his local side, AC Milan, ever since he was a boy, making his Serie A debut in 1985, at the age of 16. Wearing the famous red and black jersey, he has won a string of national and international honours: five Italian championship medals (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996), three Cup Winners' Cup medals (1989, 1990 and 1994), two FIFA Club World Championship medals (1989 and 1990) and three European Super Cups (1989, 1990 and 1995). His was first picked for the Squadra Azzurra in March 1988. But international honours have always eluded him. The highlight to date for Italy's most-capped international was reaching the final of the 1994 FIFA World CupTM in the United States, when Italy lost the Final to Brazil on penalties. Maldini is a truly majestic footballer. He outwits opposing strikers not with unnecessary aggression, but with perfect timing and outstanding reading of the game. Fair play is second nature to him, and he is a good example to young players both on and off the pitch. In defence he hardly ever puts a foot wrong, and frequently enjoys venturing into attack down the left flank. His maturity - evident even as a young player - flair and vision, have made him into one of the world's greatest defenders. Maldini has confirmed that 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ will be his final outing with the Italian national team, and he has also indicated that he will stop playing altogether in two years. It will be a sad day for Italy if one of their favourite sons retires without having lifted the World Cup. The steadfastness and reliability he personifies on the football pitch, are also prevalent in his private life. Maldini lives quietly with his wife, the former photo model Adriana Fossa, outside Milan. They have a son, Christian, born during the UEFA European Championship 1996. In the glitzy, showbiz type world of modern football, Paolo Maldini is a rare gem indeed. Left rear, sweeper, stopper, he can do it all And almost perfectly.    An inspired defender in the left-back berth, Maldini is also the starting point of many Italian attacks down the left flank  while his ability in the air makes him a regular goalscorer at set piece situations. He’s a product of Milan and started his professional career ago with the Ct Liedholm. Even if he is 30 years old, he looks like a very young player. After Franco Baresi he became captain of Milan and the Italian National team. Some wanted him on the central defence for Milan and the National team, but he is the best one on the left side. BIRTH DATE 19/03/76  PLACE ROMA (RM) International Debut 05/10/1996 v Moldova (won 3-1) In Alessandro Nesta, Italian supporters can find a bit of solace. Along with Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro, Nesta forms Italy's rock-solid defence. Nesta has what the other two have: FIFA World CupTM experience. The trio will be counted upon to lead Italy deep into the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. The Lazio's defender is just 26 years old and is seen by many as the heir apparent to Maldini, as the Lazio product has continued to evolve into a world-class defender. Nesta made his debut with Lazio at the age of 17. Soon, he was part of a side that would finish in the top six it Italy's Serie A every single season. Not until 2000, though, would he celebrate a Scudetto with the Roman club. Nesta's defensive skills earned him a quick call-up to the national team. He made the trip with the Azzurri to the UEFA European Championship England 1996 but did not play a game. Soon after making his senior debut against Moldova a few months later, Nesta and Cannavaro would prove to be the best young defenders in the Italy squad, and Nesta quickly earned the respect of his comrades. ""Alessandro has won a lot over the last few years and has picked up a lot of experience very quickly,"" Cannavaro said. ""He makes very few mistakes. He's always there to help out, and he's used to winning under pressure."" Nesta's ball control is as good as many of the forwards he shuts down in Serie A. His vision when he moves the ball out of Italy's third is extraordinary. At Euro 2000, Nesta was a major part of Italy's run to the final match. Though the Italians ultimately succumbed to an outstanding France side, Nesta and the Italian defence nearly carried Italy to the title. The Azzurri's defender will have the task of stopping tough Ecuadorian, Croatian, and Mexican strikers in the group stage in Japan this summer, but if his history holds form, Nesta will come out on top. The rock at the center of the Lazio defense. Likened to Paolo Maldini for skill in possession and superb anticipation. Slotted straight back into Lazio's first team after suffering knee ligament damage in Italy's World Cup campaign. Tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee in Italy's 2-1 defeat of Austria in Paris at France '98. Local product of Lazio youth system.  Made his Serie A debut in the 1994-95 season and won the "Primavera" (reserve league) title with Lazio. Made headlines when he broke Lazio team mate Paul Gascoigne's leg during a training match.  Was part of Italian side that won the Under-21 European championships in 1996 against Spain at Barcelona. Received his first call-up for the Italian senior squad, after injury ruled Ciro Ferrara out of Euro 96. Developed as a junior at Lazio and has pledged his future to it until at least 2004. Voted sexiest player in Italy in a phone poll earlier this season. Tall and lean, is at his best pushing out of defense. The Rome-born player made his league debut with S.S. Lazio when just 17,and his international debut soon followed. He first grabbed the headlines when starring for Cesare Maldini’s European Under-21 Championship-winning azzurini in 1996, and he was called into the senior squad for EURO 96™ following the withdrawal of Ciro Ferrara. He did not actually feature in that final round, but he was a regular in the Italian team by the end of the year. Very difficult to beat in one-on-one aerial duels, his elegant style conceals his toughness, while he is also a good passer out of defence. He suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for Italy against Austria at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but recovered to play four EURO 2000™ qualifiers. Injury-permitting, he is a certain starter for Italy at this summer’s finals. As Lazio captain, he lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999 as the Rome club won their first European honour. He is much loved by the Lazio fans who regard him as one of their own. Almost certain to partner Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of Italy's defence, Nesta has matured into one of his country's best players. A cool and stylish player for Lazio, Nesta is well known for his strong tackling. BIRTH DATE 12/03/73 PLACE COSENZA International Debut 05/09/1998 v Wales (won 2-0) After playing in the lower leagues with Salernitana, Bologna and Monza, Mark Iuliano signed for Juventus in the summer of 1996. In his first season with the 'Old Lady' the versatile defender won the European Super Cup and the Italian league title. He handed Juve the title by scoring his first goal for the club on the last day of the season away to Atalanta (1-1). In 1998 Iuliano, who played in the EURO 2000 final which the Squadra Azzurri lost to France, won another league championship. He added a further scudetto this season. Six seasons in Serie B and C before stepping up to Juventus . Seemingly ungainly centreback who neverthless has held his own in the formidable Juve back for this season. Iuliano joined Juventus FC from Salernitana in 1996 and received his first international call-up from coach Dino Zoff’s predecessor Cesare Maldini. As a tall defender, he is very strong in the air and can also be entrusted with man-marking duties. BIRTH DATE 19/08/73 PLACE LECCE International Debut 25/04/2001 v South Africa (won 1-0) Marco Matterazzi is a late-bloomer. The defender, who is known for his composure in controlling the ball and bringing it out of defence, played in the lower Italian Leagues before signing for Perugia. The Serie A club sold him to Everton in 1998, but within a season Materazzi was back in his homeland. Perugia brought him back to Italy where he flourished and had a remarkable 2000/2001 season in which he scored 12 goals, a record for a defender. This feat earned him a transfer to Internazionale, where he helped his new team to third place in the Italian league this season. Very skilled in tackles, where he is almost unbeatable on penalties and free kicks, evidence of his undoubted technical ability. He followed in his father´s footsteps: his father Giuseppe is a coach of international reputation. Among the teams he trained there are Pisa, Lazio, Bari, Padova, Brescia, Piacenza and Sporting Lisbona. He has started playing from the amateur , passing by the Sicilian fields of serie C. Last year, with 12 goals scored he equalled the absolute record in goals for a defender in the Italian championship: the record previously was held by Daniel Passarella, from Florence, with 11 goals during 1985/86 season. BIRTH DATE 12/04/73 PLACE SAVONA International Debut 09/07/1994 v Slovenia (drew 1-1) Christian Panucci's career has been marked by ups and downs but he has saved his best football for when he has played under present coach Fabio Capello. The Italian right-back began his career at AC Milan when Capello was in charge, followed the current AS Roma coach to Real Madrid and is back with his mentor in the eternal city. He was part of a championship-winning team on the first two occasions and just missed out this season. Although he has had his disagreements at Chelsea, Internazionale and Monaco, Panucci, solid in defence and with an eye for goal, has a winner's mentality appreciated by both Capello and Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni. Panucci signed for Roma on loan from Monaco in September 2001 to join up with Fabio Capello – seemingly the only coach he is able to get on with. Roma president Franco Sensi and Capello had been at loggerheads over the club's failure to land Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro the previous summer and Panucci's signing seemed to be a peace offering from the club supremo.Panucci, however, surprised the Giallorosso fans with a string of impressive performances in the 2001-02 season. He was asked to play at left-back, right-back and at right midfield and constantly did well for the team. His consistency was rewarded with a surprise call-up to the Italy squad after a lengthy absence for the friendly international against the USA in February 2002.Panucci's much-travelled career has seen him play for Genoa, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Chelsea and then Monaco, but the talented right-back has never really settled at any of these clubs.Peculiarly, Panucci came through the youth ranks at Genoa as a centre-forward. When he joined the first-team, though, he was quickly converted into a defender. His athleticism, pace and strength were so impressive that he could play anywhere across the backline.

BIRTH DATE 17/03/39 PLACE CUSANO, MILAN 1962: Wins Italian league title as AC Milan player 1963: Wins European Cup winners' medal as Milan beats Benfica at Wembley 1968: Wins second league title with Milan 1969: Lifts European Cup again as Milan defeats Ajax 4-1 in Madrid 1976: Coaches Milan to ninth title in Serie A in first season as manager 1977: Takes over at Juventus and wins league title and UEFA Cup in first year in charge 1978: Juventus retains league title 1981: Juventus wins league title 1982: Juventus retains league title 1984: Juventus completes league and European Cup Winners' Cup double 1985: Juventus wins first European Cup with 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the tragic Heysel Stadium final 1986: Juventus wins sixth league title under Trapattoni, who then resigns to join Inter Milan 1989: Wins unprecedented seventh Italian title, guiding Inter Milan to the scudetto with a record number of points 1991: Inter beats AS Roma to win UEFA Cup 1992: Returns to crisis-ridden Juventus 1993: Coaches Juventus side containing Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio to UEFA Cup 1994: Leaves Juventus to make way for Marcello Lippi, takes over at Bayern Munich but resigns at end of turbulent season, complaining of language difficulties 1996: Returns to Serie A as Cagliari manager but sacked for first time in career after 21 matches 1997: Returns to Bayern to win Bundesliga title 1998: Returns to Serie A, manages Fiorentina to fourth in Serie A and a place in Champions League 1999: Resigns as Fiorentina manager 2000: July 6, appointed Italy manager on two-year contract.

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