Picking a five-a-side team for a side whose glory days are 30-years away could look like a mere rhetorical exercise. By the way, we are still talking about a squad representing Pisa, one of the most known and most visited Italian towns. Who doesn’t know the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Also well regarded for its famous Scuola Normale Superiore (one of the best universities in the world) Pisa had its best football days back in the 80s, under the ownership of Romeo Anconetani, one of the classic, minor club owners of that age.
So, it is not strange to fulfill his five-men side with players that you maybe don’t know but that definitely marked an Era for Nerazzurri…and also my childhood. So, maybe it will not be the strongest possible team, but surely an entertaining one. With the hope that this season’s team, coached by former 2006 World Champions Filippo Inzaghi, could be able to carry Pisa back in Serie A after a 34-years hiatus.
Alessandro Mannini
Pisa counted on a lot of decent keepers, but not one that raised to a prominent level. So, who picks as starting netminder if not tha players who accounted for most appearances at the club? That’s the case of Mannini. He defended Pisa’s posts for nine seasons, playing with them in Serie C, Serie B and Serie A. He also has been a backup with Pisa’s archrivals Fiorentina. The No.1 t-shirt of this side definitely belongs to Mannini.
Paul Elliott
The ‘English Tower of Pisa’. In 1987 the newly promoted Pisa looked where football was born to reinforce a team that should have fought to avoid relegation. So, the volcanic Anconetani brought on former Aston Villa’s rock Elliott to play stopper in the hearth of the backline. Despite his impressive background and physical skills, Elliot barely contributed to his team, due to numerous injuries.
That said, he’s still well remembered in town so you can’t argue that he made a statement in Tuscany.
Mario Faccenda
Together with Elliott, the other key part of Pisa’s defence was Faccenda. He was Pisa’s captain during the years he spent in town. He also played with Genoa and Fiorentina, where he worthed the nickname of leggenda (legend). Faccenda wasn’t the most technically gifted player in Serie A, but he was noticed for his attitude, bravery and ability to close the gaps. He also owns one of the most iconic photos of Serie A: the one having Faccenda with a raised fist under the Curva after scoring that goal that, on 15th May 1988, secured Pisa spot on the following tournament.
Carlos Dunga
The man who, as captain, raised up the 1994 World Cup trophy in Pasadena, just a few minutes after the famous Roberto Baggio’s penalty kick, started his Italian career at Pisa. Which other confirmation do you need of Anconetani’s skills, when it comes to finding rough diamonds in the market?
A holding midfielder but with good passing skills, Dunga lasted just one season at Pisa before being sold to…Fiorentina (not news on this column, right?). Alternatively to him, you can also pick Diego Simeone, Alessandro De Vitis (one of the most loved players in the recent years), the 1992 European champions Henrik Larsen or his Danish compatriot Klaus Berggreen. But Dunga is certainly the most iconic figure of this bunch.
Wim Kieft
The list of Pisa offensive players includes a lot of very good names as future bianconero Michele Padovano (Champions League winner with Juventus in 1996) or fans hero Lamberto Piovanelli (born in Firenze), one of the best club’s goal scorers ever.
But the most rewarded forward over there is Dutchman Kieft. A former Golden Boot in 1982 while playing for Ajax, Kift will be European Champions with Netherlands at Euro 1988 as Marco van Basten’s backup.
He also played for Torino and won a Champions League with PSV Eindhoven in 1988.
Words by Michele Tossani – @MicheleTossani