Picking a five-a-side team for a side whose glory days were 30 years ago could look like a mere rhetorical exercise. But we are still talking about a squad representing Pisa, one of the best-known and most visited Italian cities. Who doesn’t know the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Pisa is also well regarded for its famous Scuola Normale Superiore, considered one of the best universities in the world. The football club has never reached those heights; Pisa SC had its best days back in the 1980s, under the ownership of Romeo Anconetani, one of the classic small-club owners of that age.
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So, it is not strange to fill his five-men side with players that you maybe don’t know but that definitely marked an era for Nerazzurri … and also my childhood. It might not be the strongest possible team, but is surely an entertaining one. We hope that this season’s team, coached by the World Cup winner Filippo Inzaghi and currently top of Serie B, can get back to Serie A after a 34-year hiatus.
Alessandro Mannini
Pisa counted on a lot of decent keepers, but not one that progressed to a prominent level. So, who else to pick as the net minder if not the player with the most appearances at the club? That’s the case of Mannini. He defended Pisa’s posts for nine seasons, playing for them in Serie C, Serie B and Serie A. He also has been a backup with Pisa’s arch rivals, Fiorentina. The No 1 shirt in this side definitely belongs to Mannini.
Paul Elliott
The “English Tower of Pisa”. In 1987, newly promoted Pisa looked to where football was born to reinforce a team who were expecting a relegation battle. So, the volcanic Anconetani brought in former Aston Villa rock Elliott to play stopper in the heart of the backline. Despite his impressive background and physical skills, Elliot barely contributed to the team due to numerous injuries. That said, he’s still well remembered in the town, so you can’t argue that he did not make an impact in Tuscany.
Paul Elliott enjoys an ice-cream on the streets of Pisa. Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty Images
Mario Faccenda
Together with Elliott, the other key part of Pisa’s defence was Faccenda. He was Pisa’s captain during his time at the club. He also played with Genoa and Fiorentina, where he earned the nickname of leggenda (legend). Faccenda wasn’t the most technically gifted player in Serie A, the centre-back was noted for his attitude, bravery and ability to close the gaps. He also stars in one of the most iconic photos in Serie A history: Faccenda with a raised fist under the Curva after scoring the goal against Torino on 15 May 1988 that secured Pisa’s place in the top flight for the following season.
Dunga
The man who, as the Brazil captain, lifted the 1994 World Cup trophy in Pasadena, just a few minutes after Roberto Baggio’s famous penalty miss, 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. Alternatively, you could also pick Diego Simeone, Alessandro De Vitis (one of the most loved players in recent years), the 1992 European champion Henrik Larsen or his Danish compatriot, Klaus Berggreen. But as a player, Dunga is certainly the most iconic figure of this bunch.
Dunga on the ball against Torino during the 1987-88 season. Photograph: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Wim Kieft
The list of Pisa attacking players includes a lot of talented names such as future Bianconero Michele Padovano – Champions League winner with Juventus in 1996 – or fans’ hero Lamberto Piovanelli (born in Florence), one of the club’s best ever goalscorers. But perhaps the most successful forward to play for the club is Dutchman Kieft. A European Golden Shoe winner in 1982 while playing for Ajax, Kieft joined Pisa in 1983 and left for Torino in 1986. As Marco van Basten’s backup, he helped the Netherlands win the Euros in 1988, and also won a Champions League with PSV Eindhoven in the same year.
