Tarcisio Burgnich is a former Italian football defender. He has Austrian blood from paternal side since the city of Udine was being part of Austria-Hungary Empire before WW1. After short spells at Udinese, Juventus and Palermo, it was with Internazionale that he found his spiritual home in the 1960s. Burgnich, a sweeper/right-back, played 467 times for the Nerazzurri, scoring 6 goals, and his aggressive, determined style was ideally suited to the catenaccio system operated by Helenio Herrera throughout Inter's glory years. Five Italian championships, two European Cups and two World Club Championships tell the tale of how successful Burgnich was. He was part of the Internazionale lineup of the 1960s still known today as Grande Inter. Burgnich was also a pillar of the Italian national team for more than a decade and helped them pick up their one and only European Football Championship title in 1968. He was on Italy's roster for the 1966, 1970 and 1974 FIFA World Cups. He represented the Azzurri 66 times, scoring twice. He may best be membered for his quote about Brazilian star Pel�, at the 1970 World Cup Finals: 

April 25th, 1939 in Ruda  /  Died:   May 26th, 2021