Antonio Cabrini: Juventus and Italy hero

Date: 8th October 2015 at 3:14pm
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As Antonio Carbrini turns 58, Kevin Pogorzelski looks back at the glittering career of the former Juventus defender and current Italy women’s national team coach.

Italy v Georgia - UEFA Women's EURO 2017 Qualifyier

After just missing out on qualification for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada, Italy made a wonderful start to their European Championship campaign with a 6-1 victory over Georgia last month.

Unsurprisingly, the man leading their recent resurgence, Antonio Cabrini, knows a thing or two about succeeding on the international stage, with a full set of European club honours and a World Cup winners medal to his name.

On the 8th of October the former Juventus defender turns 58, but is often forgotten amongst the names who contributed to the Old Lady’s dominance at home and abroad between 1977 and 1985.

However, while Paolo Maldini may be the most recognisable Italian defender of all-time, Cabrini’s defensive prowess and willingness to surge forward make him one of the Azzurri’s greatest ever full-backs.

Born in Cremona, the man who became known as Bell’Antonio (Beautiful Antonio) for the style with which he would play the game, actually began his career in Serie C with hometown Cremonese in 1973.

Clearly destined to grace a bigger stage, Cabrini soon headed to Atalanta – then in Serie B – for the 1975-76 campaign, but it took the Bianconeri just one season to recognise his undoubted talent.

Coinciding with Giovanni Trapattoni’s arrival at Juventus, within 12 months Cabrini was celebrating a first Scudetto and a UEFA Cup winners medal, despite not appearing in the final.

Cabrini

Over the next four seasons the left-back became a fundamental part of one of the greatest defensive units in Italian history, winning three more Serie A titles, including the double in 1977-78.

The youngsters performances that season saw an uncapped Cabrini included in the 1978 World Cup squad, and after making his Azzurri debut in the opening game against France was eventually named the tournament’s Best Young Player.

In Europe, Juventus and Cabrini were sweeping all before them. Claiming the 1984 European Cup Winners’ Cup, the following season he completed his collection with the 1985 European Cup.

The defender’s rampaging style played a vital role in defeating reigning champions Liverpool in the final, but the pinnacle of his club career was tainted by the tragic events that unfolded at the Heysel Stadium.

Therefore, Italy’s 1982 World Cup win provides a much more cherished memory for Cabrini, although it could have ended very differently after missing a first-half penalty against West Germany during a goalless first-half.

However, with Italy eventually triumphing 3-1, the miss is long forgotten amongst 73 appearances for the Azzurri – 10 as captain – and 9 goals.

Capturing the Intercontinental Cup and another Scudetto during the 1985-86 season, his final three campaigns in Turin ended without a single trophy to hold aloft, and after 297 Serie A appearances, Cabrini and the Bianconeri parted ways.

Italian Football Federation Press Conference

Moving to Bologna in 1989, Cabrini helped the Rossoblu into the UEFA Cup, but reaching the quarter-finals the following year took its toll and after relegation the defender hung-up those talented boots.

However, despite shining under the tutelage of Trapattoni, it was somewhat surprising that it took nearly a decade for Cabrini to get his first coaching position. Given his chance with Serie C1 side Arezzo in 2000, Cabrini took the side to the promotion play-offs, only for failure to gain promotion resulting in his exit from the club.

Impressed despite the set-back, Serie B’s Crotone gave him the opportunity take them to Serie A, but after that failed short stints in Serie C1 with Pisa and Novara seemed to indicate he would not be replicating his playing career on the touchline.

However, in May 2012 – some six years after leaving Novara – Cabrini was appointed coach of the women’s national side and somewhat turned around their fortunes.

Narrowly missing out on reaching their first World Cup finals since 1999 – after a 3-2 play-off defeat to the Netherlands – the Azzurre look intent on improving on their quarter-final finish at the 2013 European Championships.

Who knows, Cabrini may yet add a coaching medal to the impressive haul accumulated during one of the greatest playing careers in Italian football.

 

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