Gianluca Pessotto

Gianluca Pessotto was the kind of defender Juventus seemed to manufacture in a secret room behind the trophy cabinet: sober, intelligent, adaptable and allergic to unnecessary drama. He could play on either flank, slot into midfield when needed and interpret defensive duties with the calm precision of someone who understood systems before chasing instincts. Not a spectacular runner or an attacking full-back built for postcards, he offered balance, clean passing, concentration and tactical obedience at a very high level. Lippi trusted him because Pessotto rarely broke the shape, rarely chose the wrong moment and rarely made football more complicated than it needed to be. With Italy, he brought the same quiet usefulness, including at Euro 2000. A discreet but precious player, proof that elegance in football can also mean doing the right thing almost every time