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Gianluca Zambrotta

Age: 25 Position: Midfielder / Defence Club: Juventus

Gianluca Zambrotta, who plays on the right side of midfield but can switch to the left, established himself in the Italian national side during Euro 2000 but missed the final with France after being sent off in the semi-final against the Netherlands.

Began his career with Como, the small club on the shore of the famous Lake that bears the same name but really found his feet when he joined southern outfit Bari, then in the Italian first division.

While still at Bari he made his Italy debut in 1999 in the 0-0 draw with Norway at Pisa.

Juventus beat off competition from Italy's other top clubs to get Zambrotta's signature and it is with the “old lady” that the rough diamond has been polished into the finished article.