Gianluigi Buffon
Having somebody like him in your team is like starting off with at least a 20 point advantage and not only for the decisive saves, but because a ‘keeper like Gigi guarantees the whole team. Diehard fans shout at him ‘jump with us’ and he pays tribute, responding the call flying high where nobody can. Throughout his superb season we want to remind of two moments, in the same match: May 8th, against Milan, first saving result and scudetto on Inzaghi headed to goal then, in the end, blocking a header again by Inzaghi low. He gets up holding the ball tight and screaming out louder in a way that, thinking about it now, it’s a scream of joy for the 28th scudetto.
Antonio Chimenti
The ‘perfect second’: Antonio knows he has a wonder before him, but nevertheless he always trained with determination, as if he should play every Sunday. And when he was called in for the Italian Cup he showed how reliable he is.andry Bonnefoi
Back home after his interim at Messina, Landry missed the chance of showing off, but he demonstrated great maturity for his hard work in training and for his serenity in waiting his turn.
Alessandro Birindelli
‘Biri’ is always a valuable player: fast as lightning, with a terrific shot, Alessandro has capability like few others to come in during the game and find pace and position at once. It was just at the beginning of Milan-Juventus’ second half that Birindelli achieved a great objective: 150th appearance in the black & white outfit.
Fabio Cannavaro
His arrival has recreated one of the strongest central defence partnerships: Cannavaro and Thuram, who ever since the Parma stage showed wonders, demonstrated a newly found accordance. Fabio, from the early appearances with Juventus’s shirt, proved to be regenerated by the bianconeri and delivered, one after another, splendid performances, worth framing, making defence impenetrable. And if it wasn’t enough, he scored twice in the championship and once in Champions League
Ciro Ferrara
What would you say about Ciro: he’s a monument, a national glory. He won his eighth scudetto and gathered his 500th appearance in Serie A. Astonishing numbers, with which he closes a wonderful career. In the season he had not many chances to play, but his presence could be felt, a great deal, in the dressing room, where he was a leader and a guide. Thanks Ciro, we’re going to miss you.
Paolo Montero
A player like him is always helpful, because Paolo is a pure breed fighter and when the going gets tough, he never gives up. As in this season, every time he’s been called in, he brought value. He displays his fifth scudetto in nine years at Juventus.
Gianluca Pessotto
‘Pesso’ starts softly because of a physical problem requiring a little time to recover from. Himself, a professional like no other, doesn’t make a fuss of it, but continues to work hard and, when his time comes, he’s ready to become a centrepiece. He plays some of the key games quite perfectly, deserving public praise of his manager who knows he can always rely on him. He’s a tactically smart player, capable, because of this, of covering many positions and playing either wing, with the same excellent results.
Lilian Thuram
Capello moves him back to his favourite position of central defender over again, back together with old friend Cannavaro, with whom he agrees at a glance, and Lilian rejuvenates. Not that the weight of years was unbearable, on the contrary Thuram seen throughout the season looked like a youngster. A youngster though, holding a top career’s experience and the virtues of a solid champion.
Gianluca Zambrotta
He’s one of Capello’s most employed men, but ‘Zambro’s fuel is never short. Gianluca crunches kilometres over the wings with the turbo on, lights a direction arrow, passes opponents and delivers remarkable balls to the forwards, but when defence needs a hand, he never gives in.
Jonathan Zebina
A resourceful athlete, with a skill as central defender, but also to play wings with great results. Fabio Capello, who dealt with him for four years in Rome and knows him well, utilizes him on the right and Jonathan fits position at once, becoming a centrepiece in the defence chess board.