Roberto Mancini: 100-word hero #10

It is that Football Italia and Rigore! legend Dave Taylor again, with a topical look at a man facing a Champions League managerial crunch night this week.

Roberto Mancini was a free-kick specialist whose awareness saw him out-think some of the world’s best defenders in 80s Italy. The Jesi born forward had skills few could compete with.

The dynamic relationship he shared with Gianluca Vialli inspired Sampdoria to win their only Scudetto along with four Italian Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup.

He also won a Scudetto and European trophies with Lazio and would have certainly won more than 36 caps for Italy, if he had been more of a Yes man. He eventually ended his international career after arguing with then Azzurri Coach Arrigo Sacchi.