Sergio Battistini

A defensive midfielder, Sergio Battistini started his career with A. C. Milan under-19s, before progressing to the senior squad in 1980 where he won the Serie B title in 1981 and 1983, and the Mitropa Cup in between, in 1982. Battistini suffered an injury during a game against Udinese in January 1985 and was replaced by 16-year-old Paolo Maldini, who went on to become a Milano legend.

Battistini moved to Fiorentina shortly afterwards, and was captain of the side beaten by Juventus in the 1990 UEFA Cup final. Following a move to Inernazionale, he twice went on to win the UEFA Cup, in 1991 and 1994. Battistini made 561 club appearances, and scored 64 goals.

Battistini made his Italy under-21 début in 1981 and went on to make 14 appearances, scoring just one goal. He played five games in the 1984 Olympic tournament, and that same year won his only four senior caps, scoring just one goal, in a friendly against Canada in Toronto, on 26 May 1984. After winding up his playing career with Spezia in 1997, he turned to a management career with various minor Italian clubs, until his last position, at the Tuscany side Massese in 2016.