Tarcisio Burgnich

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Tarcisio Burgnich (Italian pronunciation: [tarˈtʃiːzjo ˈburɲitʃ]; 25 April 1939 – 26 May 2021) was an Italian football manager and player, who played as a defender. Throughout his career, Burgnich played for Udinese, Juventus, Palermo, Inter Milan, and Napoli; although he won titles with both Juventus and Napoli, he is best known for his time with Inter Milan, where he was a member of manager Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter side. He partnered with fellow full-back Giacinto Facchetti in the squad's back-line and played a key role in the team's successes in Herrera's defensive catenaccio system, due to his pace, stamina, offensive capabilities, and defensive work-rate, winning four Serie A titles, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. At international level, Burgnich represented the Italy national team at the 1960 Summer Olympics, where they finished in fourth place, and at three FIFA World Cups, winning a runners-up medal at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He was also a member of the national team that won Italy's first ever UEFA European Football Championship on home soil, in 1968. A versatile player, he was capable of playing in any defensive position, being adept as a right-back, as a centre-back, and also as a sweeper. Due to his imposing physique, as well as his tenacious style of play, Inter teammate Armando Picchi (who was the captain and sweeper of the side) gave him the nickname "La Roccia" (The Rock).

Career

1. 1939
   Born
2. 1958
   Joined Udinese Calcio
3. 1960
   Joined Juventus FC
4. 1961
   Joined Palermo F.C.
5. 1962
   Joined Inter Milan
6. 1963
   Joined Italy men's national association football team
7. 1974
   Joined SSC Napoli
8. 2021
   Passed away

Trivia

• •Place of birth: Ruda
• •Citizenship: Italy, Kingdom of Italy
• •Known as: association football player, association football coach
• •Sport: association football