Old lady - new star
Football Italia - August 1999
New Juventus signing Gianluca Zambrotta could be a very useful addition to the Old Lady's legions. Not only can he operate efficiently in midfield, but he is equally able in defence or attack. After a couple of international caps and two successful seasons with Southern side Bari, the right-footed 22-year-old is overjoyed at returning North. Born twenty miles from Milan in Como, the Juventus stars of the past were his childhood idols including Michel Platini, Dino Zoff and Marco Tardelli.
With several top clubs all eager to sign Zambrotta, the Old Lady has him tied to her apron strings until the year 2004. Gianluca is a straightforward sort of guy whose life does not revolve around football, he has also a degree in textiles. After training, when the rest of the young players at Bari would go of to their various watering holes, Zambrotta would head off to the library or any number of clothing factories that dot the landscape in and around Bari.
"I have always been fascinated with beautiful materials, especially silk which is marvellous to work with. I have recently passed an exam and got my diploma from college so I am very pleased. Furthermore, when playing for Juventus I am little more than an hour from my hometown of Como where I was taught my second favourite hobby of water skiing.
"How happy can a guy get? All that plus I will also be able to see much more of my family. But best of all I will be playing with champions like Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane and Alex Del Piero. I can't wait. Juventus have always been my team and I used to dream of meeting Dino Zoff. He was my favourite picture card and now I see him in the flesh. I talk to him and it's simply amazing. In February, after my international debut, he came across and thanked me for my efforts telling me I had played well. Yet I know deep in my heart I did not play as well as I should have. And although Zoff chose me for the Azzurri, it was down to my Coaches at Bari who taught me how to play well and give me my chance at that level."
After making that debut in the 0-0 draw with Norway it's obvious Zoff has a mutual respect for him. The midfielder became the first Bari player to be picked for the national team for over half a centruy and his ability to play on the right or the left flank makes him an invaluable player for the future. His move to Juve will not harm his chances either.
"Naturally I want to go straight into the first team but I understand there are several international players in Juve's midfield at the moment. It's my job to show Carlo Ancelloti that I am the one who can give the team the most and I will certainly be trying my best to make him pick me from the off."
