During the 90’s Serie A was awash with quality fantasisti stars. It was, however, a tough time to be a ‘foreigner’ as an enforced ‘only 3 non-Italian’s’ rule was in place for part of the decade. What made things even harder for the ‘stranieri’ playmakers at the time, was the immense quality of Italian number 10’s. It was the era of Baggio, Del Piero, Zola and Mancini to name but a few. But you can’t keep a good number 10 down regardless of nationality, and here are five of the best that graced the league.
5 – Paul Gascoigne (England) 1992 – 1995
Whilst strictly speaking not a true fantasista, Gazza’s technical abilities and style of play meant that if he’d have been born in a Latin country, he certainly would have been classed as such. During his time in Italy, he suffered (like much of his career) a mixture of controversy and unlucky events from start to finish. From causing outrage up and down the country by replying to a live TV interview question with a ‘burp’, to having his leg broken during training by a youth team apprentice (a certain Alessandro Nesta!) From playing in a protective face-mask, to sporting a ridiculous pony-tail, many fans loved his infectious ways. He became something of a cult hero with the Lazio faithful – especially after scoring his first goal for the club against bitter derby rivals Roma – a last minute header which sent them – and him, into hysteria.
The ultimate clown-prince of playmakers, Gazza was part of an exciting, attacking Lazio team at the time, lining-up alongside the likes of Diego Fuser and Guiseppe Signori. However, Gazza struggled with injuries for much of his time in Italy and once he left, there was a sense of unfulfilled potential. Still, he left everyone with many great memories during his Italian adventure, not least through his legendary partnership with TV’s James Richardson whilst appearing on Channel Four’s fantastic Gazzetta Football Italia.
90’s Serie A clubs: Lazio
90’s Serie A Apps/Goals: 43/6
90’s Serie A honours: None
4 – Dejan Savicevic (Montenegro) 1992 – 1998
The exciting Savicevic typified many of the perceived stereotypes of a fantasista during his time in Italy – brilliant one week, able to turn a game on its head with a piece of genius, anonymous the next. It hardly helped that he joined probably the best club team at the time, AC Milan, in full midst of the 3-non-Italian’s -only rule when the team already stranieri in the calibre of Gullit, van Basten, Rijkaard, Boban and Papin. What also didn’t help matters was that he seemed to be something of an unwanted purchase by the manager at the time, Fabio Capello, and more of a presidential signing by one Silvio Berlusconi. As the stranieri dwindled away, Savicevic remained and probably had the best game of his career during the 1994 Champions League Final, taking centre-stage as Milan demolished a heavily favoured Barcelona 4-0 – with Milan’s number 10 scoring a sublime lob – one of the finest goals the final has ever seen.
With superb close control and wonderful vision, and whether playing out wide or more centrally, an on-form Savicevic took some stopping.
90’s Serie A clubs: AC Milan
90’s Serie A Apps/Goals: 97/20
90’s Serie A honours: Serie A title x3, UEFA Champions League, UEFA European Supercup, Italian Supercup x 2
3 – Youri Djorkaeff (France) 1996 – 1999
For a period of time during the 90’s, nearly everything Youri Djorkaeff touched turned to gold. In Serie A with Inter he settled instantly and almost (perhaps, should have, was it not for some questionable refereeing decisions) won the Scudetto pre Calciopoli, when he formed a devastating partnership with Ronaldo in the ’97-’98 season. A clever, technical player given license to roam from his forward position, Djorkaeff often drifted out wide but always seemed to find himself in goalscoring positions. Not that he always needed to be in them to score – an excellent finisher, the Frenchman notched some astounding, acrobatic strikes for the Nerazzurri during his time in Italy.
90’s Serie A clubs: Inter Milan
90’s Serie A Apps/Goals: 87/30
90’s Serie A honours: UEFA Cup
2 – Zinedine Zidane (France) 1996 – 2001
Another Frenchman makes the list, which is of little surprise considering the country’s footballing stock during the latter half of this decade, this time it is probably France’s greatest of them all – Zinedine Zidane. Although winning both FIFA World player and the Ballon D’or in 1998 was more down to his achievements with the national team when winning the World Cup, rather than his efforts for his club, Juventus, Zizou’s club form and influence grew and grew with each passing season at the Bianconeri. After a slow start to his Serie A life, when both fans and club president gave him a frosty reception, the midfield maestro eventually found his form and helped guide Juve to domestic success. Never a prolific goalscorer, this fantasista provided the ammunition for all around him with his extraordinary touch, control and vision. Although he wore number 21 at Juventus, perhaps Zidane’s greatest feat was that of overtaking the club’s former French number 10 legend as the greatest, Michel Platini.
90’s Serie A clubs: Juventus
90’s Serie A Apps/Goals: 151/24
90’s Serie A honours: FIFA World Player of the Year, Ballon D’or Winner, Serie A title x2, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Supercup, Italian Supercup, Intertoto Cup.
1 – Manuel Rui Costa (Portugal) 1994 – 2001
There have been very few players who’ve been such a perfect fit for the number 10 shirt but when the playmaking gods were creating the fantasista, Rui Costa was one of the best. The player oozed class on the pitch, and was equally classy off it. Loyalty is a rare thing in the modern era but Fiorentina’s number 10 stood by his club, year after year only leaving when il Viola were made bankrupt and recouped a large fee from long-time suitor AC Milan.
Although he won very little in Florence, especially when held in comparison to his career at Milan, Rui Costa played his best football in the purple of Fiorentina where he became an idol to the fans. It was there he formed one of the most devastating attacking partnerships that was the envy of Europe. At the time, Fiorentina had a very average defence and midfield, but arguably the best number-9, number-10 combination in the game with another Viola legend – Gabriel Batistuta. Rui Costa and the Argentine striker caused havoc week in, week out in Serie A and at times, in Europe with Rui Costa scheming and providing the bullets for ‘Bati-gol!’
Although he eventually left Florence, Rui Costa saw the decade out still in the Renaissance city and probably played his finest football upon Batistuta’s departure when he took over the captain’s armband.
Graceful, intelligent, selfless and always looking to create for others around him, Rui Costa was a perfect number 10 during the 90’s.
90’s Serie A clubs: Fiorentina
90’s Serie A Apps/Goals: 239/40
90’s Serie A honours: Coppa Italia, Italian Supercup
