AMO; You promised....
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OK- Having investigated the situatio I admit that I exagurated. the thing is that he was never sent off, and never got a day of suspension, so it was VERY rare that he got booked as well.
Anyway- like you use to say to me: YOU HAVEN'T SEEN HIM PLAY!. I have, and I've seen video with him as well. He was simply the image of fairness. He was always playing it by the book. Obviously he comitted fouls like everybody else, but there was never anything vicious about him.
Once I saw a striker from Bologna (don't remember the name) twist his knee outside the penalty area in a solo accident. Schirea carried him to their bench....
This was just who he was. There was nothing negative about him whatsoever.
That's why old Juve fans will still get misty when his tragic death is brought up.
For all of you who ae either too young or just doesn't know the legend of Scirea here is the article from the official site:
SCIREA, A CLASS ACT
01/09/1999
Was he a player gentleman or a gentleman player? Without a shadow of a doubt, he was both.
Ten years ago, on September 3, 1989, it was announced that Gaetano Scirea (who had been sent to Poland by then Juventus coach Dino Zoff to watch the Bianconeri's UEFA Cup opponents) had been killed in a road accident. A piece of Juventus went with him, and a model professional and a man who was well-liked by all who had met him was no more.
Born in Cernusco sul Naviglio on May 25, 1953, Scirea started out at Atalanta, making his Serie A debut at Cagliari on September 24, 1972. He moved to Juventus during the 1974-75 season and immediately made the number six shirt his own, going on to wear it 552 times in official matches, scoring 23 goals in Serie A and winning 14 trophies. Of those, seven were league titles (the first in 1975 and the last in 1986), two Coppa Italia (1979 and 1983), one UEFA Cup (1977), one Cup-Winners Cup (1984), one European Super Cup (1984), one European Cup (1985) and one Intercontinental Cup (1985). He won everything with class and courtesy, he was almost afraid to hog too much of the limelight. He was never sent off in his career nor was he ever suspended or involved in any kind of ugly scene.
He was the defensive pillar of the national side who, in 1982, were crowned world champions: the classic icing on the cake of an inimitable career, which he experienced alongside his great friend and team-mate, Dino Zoff. Scirea was a free spirit on the pitch, a shining star who was capable of pushing forward with infinite elegance and also of scoring goals. He played with his head held high, always abiding by the rules, one of few players who, having practically always worn the black-and-white striped shirt of Juventus, was well-liked by all those who loved football. Juventus' vice-president, Roberto Bettega said the following words about his friend: "Ten years on from his death the memory of a great friend is still alive, a roommate for five years with whom I experienced disappointment and joy, bitterness and victory that all contributed to his fame as a star player on the international scene. When I think of him, as an official, in the name of Juventus and my staff, I dearly miss a great friend who has left behind a huge hole."
The club has done what is right and proper by dedicating to Scirea the end where their most fervent supporters gather. He was a clean fighter, capable of transmitting confidence and strength at the same time. On the evening of the Heysel Stadium tragedy in Brussels in May 1985, it was Scirea who spoke on the microphone to try to calm the thousands of people traumatised by what was happening. And a few days ago, just minutes after kick-off between Juve and Reggina on the opening day of the season at the Delle Alpi, the stands were filled with cries of his name, "Gaetano Scirea". Just like when he would emerge, head held high, from the tunnel of the old Stadio Comunale.
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Now that's a story that sends shivers down my spine.
Ciao.
