For many years the defensive maestro of the Italian national side, Alessandro Nesta hopes that the unfancied Azzurri will come of age during Euro 2016 but sees Spain and Germany as the main contenders. Kevin Azzopardi caught up with the former Lazio and Milan stalwart…
At the zenith of his career, Alessandro Nesta was universally acclaimed as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Strong, athletic and comfortable with the ball, Nesta embodied all the traits of the perfect centre-half to the extent that, on his 40th birthday on March 19, La Gazzetta dello Sport hailed the former Azzurri man as “the last true great Italian defender”.
His roll of honour indubitably does justice to his talent as Nesta has won three Serie A titles, one with Lazio and two with Milan, two Champions League medals and was also a key member of Italy’s World Cup-winning squad in 2006.
Nesta, currently working as coach of Miami FC in the second tier of American soccer, was also in the Italy team that narrowly missed out on the European Championship title in 2000, losing to David Trezeguet’s Golden Goal for France.
With Euro 2016 around the corner, Nesta, who made 78 appearances for Italy, is optimistic that the Azzurri will live up to their tag as big-tournament specialists, but acknowledged that it will not be an easy ride.
“Italy have a reputation of doing well in major competitions,” Nesta said in a telephone interview with Times of Malta from his home in the United States.
“We usually arrive at these tournaments in the best condition but it will not be easy to challenge for the title.”
Italy launch their Euro 2016 commitments with a game against Belgium on June 13. The other teams in Group E are Sweden and Republic of Ireland.
Nesta picked Germany and Spain as the two outstanding candidates for Euro 2016 glory but is circumspect about England’s chances of ending their long wait to win a major tournament since their solitary success in the 1966 World Cup.
“Germany look very strong, Spain as well,” Nesta said.
“What do you think of England?” I asked.
“England always struggle in these competitions,” he replied.
“Their season is long and tough and their players are a bit tired when they head into international tournaments.”
Looking back on his playing career, Nesta said he treasures all the titles he won with Lazio, Milan and the national team.
“All the successes I’ve enjoyed with Lazio, Milan and the national team were the highlights of my career,” Nesta said.
As for the low points, injuries are hard to deal with and unfortunately I’ve had a lot in my career
“As for the low points, injuries are hard to deal with and unfortunately I’ve had a lot in my career.”
Italian football has been in steady decline for much of the past two decades, especially at club level, with Inter the last Serie A team to win the Champions League in 2010 after Milan, with Nesta and Paolo Maldini in the heart of defence, had conquered Europe in 2002/03 and 2006/07.
“It’s down to many factors,” Nesta replied when asked on Italy’s struggles to compete with Spain, Germany and England at club level.
“Money is an issue but if you look at Lazio, they don’t have a proper project.
“Milan are also encountering difficulties and the results have been disappointing.”
Nesta also feels that Italian football has failed to renew itself, especially when it comes to youth development.
The squad named by Antonio Conte for Euro 2016 is not exactly replete with world-beaters as Italian football has failed to produce stars in the mould of Nesta, Maldini, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Del Piero in the last decade.
It says all about Italy’s toils to replace the old guard that 38-year-old Gianluigi Buffon, who has already collected an eye-popping 157 caps, is still the undisputed no.1 under Conte.
While Italy are traditionally strong in defence, and the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are among the best in business, Nesta has tipped the emerging Alessio Romagnoli, who plays for Milan, as the most exciting centre-half in the Serie A
“Romagnoli is very good,” Nesta said. "It’s really up to him how far he can go in his career because has a lot of potential.”
After hanging up his boots in 2014, Nesta took up residence in the United States. In 2015, he was appointed as the first head coach of Miami FC.
“I decided to stay in the US because I spent the final year of my career as a footballer in the MLS,” Nesta said.
“I wanted to do an experience outside Italy and after I stopped playing, I came to live in Miami. After a few months, I was given the opportunity to coach Miami FC. It’s been a nice experience so far.”
Miami FC are finding the going tough in their maiden season in the NASL as they are languishing in the bottom part of the table.
Nesta has no plans to return to Italy for the time being.
“For now, I have no intention of going back to Italy,” he said. “We are happy here, my children are settled and we also enjoy the American lifestyle.”
Although Nesta is still something of an unknown proposition as a coach, he is unlikely to be short of offers if he ever decides to pursue a job in his home country where his profile is still sky-high.
His job with Miami FC suggests that Nesta wants to do things the right way and climb up the ladder.
“If a great coaching opportunity comes along, I want to be ready for the challenge,” Nesta said.
“If you take on a big job and you’re not well-prepared for it, you will get burnt and I don’t want that to happen to me.”
Roll of honour: Alessandro Nesta
Lazio
• Serie A: 1999-2000
• Coppa Italia: 1997-98, 1999-2000
• Italian Super Cup: 1998, 2000
• Cup Winners’ Cup: 1998-99
• Super Cup: 1999
Milan
• Serie A: 2003-04, 2010-11
• Coppa Italia: 2002-03
• Italian Super Cup: 2004, 2011
• Champions League: 2002-03, 2006-07
• Super Cup: 2003, 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
Montreal Impact
• Canadian Championship: 2013
Italy
• World Cup: 2006