As I can't be online tomorrow when myself and Paolo go head-to-head, I have to post my write-up here. Aldo has kindly offered to copy my write-up, formations etc. into our game thread.
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Angelo Peruzzi – Won everything there was to be won in the Italian and European game. Twice Italian Goalkeeper of the Year in the decade, one-time Guerin d'Oro winner, three-time Scudetto champion, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and numerous Italian cups. He was among the very best in the world for large parts of his career, particularly in the 1990s.
Dan Petrescu –A player who was exceptional in both defence and attack on the right (and a fantastic compliment to Fortunato). 95 international caps tells its own story about Dan Petrescu, one of Romania's finest ever footballers. To add to his 95 international caps, Petrescu also played in four major International tournaments during the timeframe we're discussing.
Igor Tudor – Signing for Juventus as a 20 year old in 1998, Tudor slotted straight into the Old Lady defence. His partnership with Montero, in particular, was excellent. Marcelo Lippi said of him, “"I can see him becoming our [Marcel] Desailly. He could do even better than Desailly did for Milan because technically he is a better player." Tudor played three games in Croatia’s run to third place at France ’98 in his one international tournament during the decade.
Paolo Montero – the fearsome Uruguayan Paolo Montero was an integral part of the all-conquering Juve team of the mid-to-late 90s. He could operate at centre-back and left-back. Two Scudettos, two Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intertoto Cup and one Italian Supercoppa in the decade. His partnership with Tudor, and understanding with Peruzzi, will be a crucial asset in this competition.
Andrea Fortunato – Fortunato could have been an Italian legend before his life was cruelly took from him by a debilitating illness. A natural left-back who was very solid in defence and excellent in joining in attacks, he was arguably the most exciting Italian talent in the early part of the decade. He was superb in his one year with Juventus, wearing Cabrini’s famous no.3 jersey and became a national team regular.
Massimo Crippa – A strong, combative midfielder, Crippa was part of the excellent Napoli side of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Crippa then went to Parma and continued his success there winning a UEFA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. His strength in defence and game intelligence will be a good foil for Antonio Conte's creativity.
Antonio Conte – Integral midfielder for Juventus from the start of the decade, and was captain of the Old Lady during their heyday in the middle of the 1990s. One of the most decorated footballers in Juventus’ history, Conte won three Secudettos (five in total), one Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, one UEFA Cup, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Intertoto Cup and two Italian Super Coppa (four in total) in the 90s. His leadership qualities are a great asset to any team, and along with fellow picks Peruzzi, Montero, Tudor and Mancini, are excellent options as team captains.
Alberigo Evani – A gifted left-footer, Evani was instrumental in Milan’s glorious 1990s spell. A regular throughout this period, he won three Serie A titles, two European Cups, two Italian Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two World Club Championships. Also a regular under Sacchi in the national team, Evani played in Italy’s World Cup ’94 campaign, scoring a spot kick in the World Cup Final penalty shoot-out.
Roberto Mancini – Mancio was as elegant a footballer in Italy during the 1990s. A prolific goalscorer who often played as a striker but his best position was as a no. 10 in my opinion. Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1997, and Italian Football of the Year in the same season. Played in the Italian team who finished third in their home World Cup, and winner of one Serie A and seven major cups in the decade we are discussing.
Abel Balbo – Balbo was one of Serie A’s most prolific goalscorers throughout the 1990s, finding the net 138 times in Italy’s top flight. Balbo scored over 20 league goals in a single season on two separate occasions, and reached the mid-to-high teens in three other campaigns. Balbo, although not overly tall, was physically imposing, great in the air and will be a perfect foil for Signori. A member of Argentina’s national team that lost the final to Germany in Italia ’90, he’s another of my team that has experience at the highest level.
Giuseppe Signori – Signori was the Capocannoniere in Serie A for three seasons in the mid 1990s; 1992/93, 1993/94 and 1995/96, as well as top goalscorer in the Coppa Italia on two occasions; 1992/3 and 1997/98. All in all, 188 Serie A goals tells its own story about the diminutive striker.
Reserve: Marco Simone - "The Goal Apostle", who had a phenomenal goalscoring record from the wing (although he did play up front on the odd occasion). 49 goals in 168 games for AC Milan, Simone also has a stellar trophy haul; four Scudettos, two Champions Leagues, one Intercontinental Cup and two UEFA Super Cups. He was also named Italian Footballer of the Year in 1994/95, and is a great reserve to have on your team.
Nahealai FC
4-4-2 (Diamond Formation) / 4-1-3-2
