19 Facts About Mauro Tassotti

Mauro Tassotti is an Italian manager and former footballer who played predominantly as a right-back.

Mauro Tassotti currently serves as an assistant coach at Genoa.

Mauro Tassotti won 17 major titles with Milan, including five Serie A championships and three UEFA Champions League tournaments, reaching five finals in total.

Mauro Tassotti is mostly remembered for his role alongside Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta, Filippo Galli and Christian Panucci in the Milan backline under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, forming what is considered by many in the sport to be one of the greatest defensive lineups of all-time.

An Italian international in the early 1990s, Tassotti only came into the national side under Sacchi, when he was already in his 30s, helping Italy to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Mauro Tassotti would go on to represent his nation at the final tournament, winning a runners-up medal, although he was banned for the latter half of the tournament.

Milan won the Serie B title that season to return to Serie A, with Mauro Tassotti emerging as one of the club's best performers.

Mauro Tassotti became a central figure in the Milan squad of the late 1980s and early 1990s under Arrigo Sacchi, and subsequently Fabio Capello, usually wearing the number 2 shirt.

Mauro Tassotti was a key component of a strong defence alongside Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta, playing predominantly as a right-back and on occasion as a centre-back, in front of goalkeepers Giovanni Galli, and subsequently Sebastiano Rossi.

Under Capello, Mauro Tassotti would go on to reach three consecutive Champions League finals with Milan, winning the Champions League in 1994 as captain, due to the absence of Franco Baresi, and reaching the final in 1993 and 1995.

Mauro Tassotti had previously played for Italy at under-21 level, and he represented the nation at the 1988 Summer Olympics, alongside Paolo Maldini, where Italy reached the semi-finals, finishing in fourth place.

However, in the quarter-final match, Mauro Tassotti elbowed Spanish midfielder Luis Enrique in the face during stoppage time in the second half, breaking the Spaniard's nose.

The gesture was not seen by the referee, and Mauro Tassotti was not called for a foul or cautioned at the time.

Mauro Tassotti later stated he had instantly and deeply regretted his actions, describing them as "stupid", although he would state the gesture had not been premeditated but purely instinctive, as Luis Enrique had been pulling his shirt.

In total, Mauro Tassotti made 7 appearances for Italy between 1992 and 1994.

Mauro Tassotti terminated his contract with Milan on 12 July 2016, concluding his 36-year career with the club.

Mauro Tassotti was mostly used as a right-back, but he could play as central defender when necessary, and often played in this role earlier on in his career.

Mauro Tassotti even played as a central or defensive midfielder on occasion.

Mauro Tassotti was a tenacious defensive minded full-back who was known for his strength, anticipation and defensive awareness, as well as his marking ability, positional sense and tactical intelligence.