Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș | OneFootball

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Padraig Whelan·23 March 2020

Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș

Article image:Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș

With the football on hold at the moment, we’ve been thinking about who gets in Juventus’ all-time XI.

Today we’re choosing the second centre-back.


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Here are the nominees 



3rd – Leonardo Bonucci

Article image:Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș

Bonucci may have left a bitter taste in the mouth of fans due to his brief one-year sojourn to Milan but taking him solely on his Juventus achievements, he deserves inclusion.

He developed from a shaky youngster into one of the finest centre-backs in the global game over the last decade and even popped up with some memorable goals for the Bianconeri too.

When all is said and done, he’ll be looked upon as a true Juve great as at the age of 32, he still has plenty of time to add to his 14 trophies in black and white.

2nd – Ciro Ferrara

Article image:Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș

For over a decade, Ferrara was a constant and classy presence at the heart of some of the most formidable Juventus defences ever to take to the field.

His blend of tenacious yet graceful defending earned the respect of many and the praise from fellow professionals, both friend and foe, was endless throughout his storied career.

Ferrara’s position as a club legend is more than secure as he is one of a select band to have won every single major available during his time with the Old Lady.

And the winner is 
 Claudio Gentile

Article image:Juventus' best ever XI ... The second centre-back đŸ’Ș

It is something of a chalk and cheese partnership at the heart of this dream Juve defence as there is no better foil for the elegance of Scirea than one of football’s great hard men, Gentile.

His name may sound like gentle but the Italian international was far from it, with his ruthless, aggressive and uncompromising style of defending – all of which was incredibly effective in nullifying opposition attacks.

Also capable of playing at full-back when required, there was perhaps no greater man-marker in the history of the club, sometimes his intimidating reputation alone enough to keep attackers in check.

He won multiple domestic and continental honours across his 11-years in Turin and for anyone who wondered if he felt the perception of him was a little harsh, the man himself had this to say 


“Football is not for ballerinas!”


Here’s how the team is looking so far 


GK: Gianluigi Buffon RB: Lilian Thuram CB: Gaetano Scirea CB: Claudio Gentile LB: Antonio Cabrini

Check back tomorrow when we will be choosing the first midfielder.