Gaetano Scirea was an Italian professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest defenders of his generation and one of the greatest defenders of all time.
17 Facts About Gaetano Scirea
2.
Gaetano Scirea spent most of his career with Juventus FC.
3.
Gaetano Scirea is one of only nine players in the history of European football that won all three major UEFA football competitions, a feat he managed while playing with Juventus, the Italian club with which he spent the majority of his career, aside from two seasons with Atalanta.
4.
Gaetano Scirea was born at Cernusco sul Naviglio, in the province of Milan, but was of Sicilian origin.
5.
Gaetano Scirea made his Serie A debut for Atalanta against Cagliari on 24 September 1972.
6.
Gaetano Scirea remained with Atalanta for two seasons, before transferring to Juventus, with whom he would stay until the end of his playing career.
7.
Gaetano Scirea saw great success with Juventus, playing alongside Antonio Cabrini, and the hard-hitting Claudio Gentile, as well as goalkeeper Dino Zoff.
8.
Gaetano Scirea managed the impressive feat of winning every UEFA Club and domestic competition during his time at the club.
9.
Gaetano Scirea took up the role of scout at Juventus, later working as a coach.
10.
Gaetano Scirea debuted with the Italy national team on 30 December 1975, against Greece.
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Gaetano Scirea immediately became an irreplaceable pillar of the team managed by Enzo Bearzot, and played in three World Cups, and one European Championship on home soil in 1980, where Italy finished in fourth place after reaching the semi-final, and Scirea was named part of the team of the tournament.
12.
Gaetano Scirea impressed in the 1978 World Cup where Italy finished in fourth place.
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Gaetano Scirea was a modern and highly talented defender, gifted with excellent technical skills and tactical ability, who was known for his pace, elegance on the ball, and innate capacity to read the game.
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In contrast to the ruthless tactics often employed by other defenders, including his paired partner, Claudio Gentile, Gaetano Scirea was renowned for his class, fair play and sportsmanship.
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Gaetano Scirea was known for his leadership, serving as captain of both Juventus and the Italian national side.
16.
Gaetano Scirea was married to Mariella Cavanna; together they had a son, Riccardo.
17.
In summer 1989, Gaetano Scirea visited Poland as an observer to watch Gornik Zabrze, against which Juventus was to play in the UEFA Cup.