Sergio Cervato

There is a certain type of Italian defender who looks severe until the ball reaches his foot, and Sergio Cervato belonged exactly to that school. A left back by role, but far more complete than the old label suggests, he had strength, timing, leadership and a powerful left foot that made him dangerous from penalties, free kicks and long strikes. Fiorentina was his kingdom: captain, defensive pillar and one of the faces of the 1955 to 1956 Scudetto, the first in the club's history. He was not a reckless attacking full back, but he could play, advance the ball and give the side technical authority from deep. Later at Juventus, he added more silverware to a career already rich in substance. Cervato was a cultured defender with bite, a captain's personality and the kind of left foot opponents could not safely ignore.