Tarcisio Burgnich

Defensive attempt by Tarcisio Burgnich (left) against René Houseman in the game against Argentina at the 1974 World Cup

Tarcisio Burgnich ( born April 25, 1939 in Ruda (UD) ) is a former Italian football player and coach.

His greatest success of the defender in the sixties with Inter Milan and played 66 times for the national team. Later he worked with moderate success as a coach at various clubs.

Club career

Burgnich made ​​his first game in Serie A on June 2, 1959 Udinese Calcio, where he not made ​​the breakthrough on stem force. After just one season he transferred to Juventus, where he was also a substitution, so he moved on and the U.S. joined Palermo. There he made ​​his breakthrough to regular players and seasoned size within the team.

1962 Burgnich was engaged by Inter Milan where coach Helenio Herrera put together one of the best European club teams. Burgnich was soon regarded as an uncompromising and hard as iron defender in the world-class, which he had largely thanks to coach Herrera. Since he rarely intervened in the offensive and was extremely strong in the tackle, Brugnich was predestined for Catenaccio Inter's recipe for success. Back he formed with Giacinto Facchetti a defensive bulwark in midfield playmaker Luis Suarez was the pace and attack, Sandro Mazzola, Mario Corso and whirled Jair da Costa. " Grande Inter" was born and should rush in the coming years from success to success. With Inter he won in 1963, 1965 and 1966 the Scudetto and was considered one of Italy's best defender. Internationally, the service provider was successful and won in 1964 and 1965 the European Cup of Champions. Burgnich remained Internazionale twelve years loyal, won his fourth championship title in 1971 and returned in 1974 Milan back.

For three years he played for Napoli, where he end his career before he in 1977 with 38 years finally ended.

Career in the national team

On November 10, 1963 Burgnich played against the Soviet Union his first international match for the " Squadra Azzurra ". In 1966 he took part in the World Cup in England, where Italy disappointed and after an embarrassing first round had to go home ( 0-1 defeat against North Korea).

In 1968, rehabilitated the game, who won the European title. In 1970, he stood with his home country in the semifinals of the World Cup, where they met Germany. He scored his first goal in the national team's colors when he met the so-called " Game of the Century " for temporarily 2:2. Burgnich fell after a free kick by Gianni Rivera fended the ball in front of his feet and he had no trouble from five meters to hit the target. In the final, Italy was outclassed by Brazil with 1:4 and Burgnich had superstar Pele guard. After the game, he revealed: " Before the final, I said to myself: Pele is made ​​of flesh and bones, as I Then I realized that I was wrong.. " Pelé scored a goal and played Burgnich dizzy.

In the 1974 World Cup was for Italy again after the first round prematurely closing. In the match against Poland, he completed his last international game.

Career as a coach

After his playing career Burgnich worked with little success as a coach for many different clubs. Success as in the days of his playing career were denied him.