Juventus unearth their new Torricelli

Date: 3rd December 2014 at 10:00am
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Moreno ToricelliUnlike many other Italian clubs, Juventus has always been run as a business in accordance with the wishes of the Agnelli family and the fortunes of FIAT.

Sometimes tending not to splash out huge sums for players in comparison to domestic and continental rivals over the years, obscure talents have been essential for the Old Lady with their dedication and determination becoming invaluable alongside the stars in the team.

One such player has been Simone Padoin, and his arrival mirrors one of the most fantastic footballing fairytales of the last 25 years: the rise of Moreno Torricelli from the inter-regional leagues to international acclaim.

Back in May 1992, 22-year-old Torricelli was a keen amateur playing for Milan outfit Caratese at weekends.

Moves to Pavia and Lecce had been on the table, but a telegram sent from the Turin giants asking Torricelli to play in three summer friendlies against Pro Vercelli, Vicenza and Ancona would transform his life.

A glowing testimony from club legend Claudio Gentile was enough to convince coach Giovanni Trapattoni that Torricelli was worth a try while Juve were without several defenders away on international duty for Italy in the United States for the inaugural U.S. Cup.

Arranging only a few days off from his job at the furniture factory he had worked at since the age of 15, Torricelli was soon leaving carpentry behind for good as a few days later he received another telegram asking him to attend pre-season training.

Torricelli would go on to make 230 appearances in all competitions for a Juve team that conquered both at home and in Europe during the mid-nineties often playing at right back, but also occupying a number of other defensive roles for his side.

Simone Padoin - JuventusPadoin may not have had such a spectacular rise to stardom in Turin, but his self-sacrifice and tireless performances have earned a likening to Torricelli.

Speaking after the 2-0 win away at Empoli last month, Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri ended his post-match interview stressing the importance of the 30-year-old as he replaced an injured Kwadwo Asamoah in the closing stages.

“I’d like to give a mention to Padoin, a player who doesn’t feature as much, but when he came on, it seemed like he had been playing from the first whistle,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“He’s important for the options he gives me, we’re lucky to have these types of players in the squad.”

An Atalanta youth product, Padoin was part of the club’s successful Primavera Coppa Italia victory before moving to continue his development with Vicenza in Serie B, where he was frequently used as a left-back.

A desire to improve and consistent performances, which had already enabled him to work his way up through Italian Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 sides, were combined with a versatility that enabled him to operate both as a defender and midfielder.

After returning to Atalanta, the Friulian was to be ordained by future Juventus coach Antonio Conte as “Saint Padoin the honest” for his humility, during their brief time together in Bergamo during the 2009-10 season.

Simone Padoin JuventusLike Torricelli, Padoin’s first contact with the Bianconeri came through a brief trial period after being “borrowed” along with Francesco Bardi and Albin Ekdal for the team’s tour of North America at the end of that season.

Padoin would have to wait another 18 months to seal a dream move on the final day of the January transfer window in 2012, and he has since gone on to win three successive Scudetti and the respect of Juventini fans.

Seamlessly adaptable to many different roles in the side, whether playing as a midfielder, wing-back, or most recently at left-back, Padoin is proving to be an increasingly important utility man for Juventus.

 

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