Francesco Morini
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | August 12, 1944 | ||
| Place of birth | San Giuliano Terme, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963–1969 | Sampdoria | 161 | (1) |
| 1969–1980 | Juventus | 256 | (0) |
| 1980 | Toronto Blizzard | 22 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 1973–1975 |
 Italy | 11 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Francesco Morini (born 12 August 1944 in San Giuliano Terme) is a retired Italian football player, who played as a defender. He competed for the Italian national team in the 1974 FIFA World Cup[1] and earned a total of 11 caps. He played for clubs such as U.C. Sampdoria and, most notably, Juventus F.C., with which he achieved great success. Morini was a fast, strong, and tenacious centreback, with good technique, who was known for his tackling ability, as well as his tight marking of opposing forwards. He was given the nickname "Morgan" the pirate as he excelled as a powerful ball-winner; despite his physical style of play, he was also known for his correct behaviour on the pitch, and he rarely committed aggressive challenges.[2] After his retirement he worked as Juventus's sporting director for several years.[3]
Biography
Morini has two sons; one is Jacopo Morini, who is known for his role in the Italian television program "Le Iene", and the other, Andrea, is a singer and guitarist in a band.[3]
Career
Club
Morini made his Serie A debut for Sampdoria in a 0–2 loss against Roma on 2 February 1964, and in 1969, he was transferred to Juventus.[4] He made 387 appearances in Serie A, as well as 30 in Serie B with Sampdoria during the 1966-67 season, during which he won the title. During a highly successful domestic and European stint with Juventus, Morini won five Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia during the 1978-79 season, and an UEFA Cup during the 1976-77 season, also reaching the European Cup final during the 1972-73 season, and the semi-final of the European Cup Winners' Cup during the 1979-80 season, his final season at the club. Throughout his professional footballing career as a defender, Morini never scored a goal; although he once appeared to score one during a friendly tournament, it was disallowed. Morini ended his career in Canada with the Toronto Blizzard.[2]
International
Morini made his international debut for Italy in 1973, and was a member of the Italian squad that took part in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He played for Italy 11 times between 1973 and 1975. Although he was still part of the Italian national side during the mid 70s, he was notably excluded by Enzo Bearzot from the Italian squad that finished in fourth place at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.[2]
Honours
Club
References
- ^ Francesco Morini – FIFA competition record (archived)
- ^ a b c d "Francesco MORINI". Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Francesco Morini - Calciatore E Dirigente". Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ Almanacco illustrato del calico 1979. Panini. 1979. p. 51.
External links
- Profile at Enciclopediadelcalcio.it
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- 1944 births
- Living people
- 1974 FIFA World Cup players
- Expatriate soccer players in Canada
- Italian expatriate footballers
- Italian expatriates in Canada
- Italian footballers
- Italy international footballers
- Juventus F.C. players
- Serie A players
- Toronto Blizzard (1971–84) players
- U.C. Sampdoria players
- North American Soccer League (1968–84) players
- Italian football biography stubs