Serginho

Some players age by losing speed. Serginho seemed to negotiate a private exemption. Down Milan’s left side, he brought acceleration, width and a directness that could change the shape of a match in a few touches. He was not a pure defender in the strict Italian sense, and he could be more devastating going forward than comfortable when pinned deep, but his attacking value was enormous: overlapping runs, early crosses, sudden bursts and a left foot that supplied Shevchenko, Inzaghi and company with proper ammunition. Ancelotti often used him as a weapon from full back, wing back or wide midfield, depending on the opponent and the temperature of the match. In Milan’s great European years, he was never the main headline, but he gave the team a different gear. A left flank specialist with pace, technique and the wonderful habit of making tired defenders look personally betrayed.