My Greatest 11 - The Blog — Italy

Italy 2–0 Germany 2006: A World Cup Semi-Final for the Ages

July 3, 2025 • 00s • 2006 • Buffon • Del Piero • football team • Italy • line up • Pirlo • Totti • World Cup • xi

On 4th July 2006, Italy and Germany played out one of the most iconic World Cup semi-finals of all time. Fabio Cannavaro delivered a legendary defensive display, and late goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero sealed a dramatic 2–0 win in extra time, sending the Azzurri to the final in unforgettable fashion.

2006 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament: A Line-Up for the Ages

June 13, 2025 • 00s • 2006 • Buffon • Figo • France • Italy • line up • Pirlo • Thierry Henry • World Cup • xi • zidane • zizou

The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany was packed with drama, brilliance, and unforgettable moments. Italy lifted the trophy after a tense final against France, and FIFA honoured the competition's top performers by naming a 23-man Team of the Tournament. Led by legends like Buffon, Cannavaro, Zidane, and Klose, this lineup stands among the greatest tournament selections of all time.

Massimo Ambrosini’s All-Time Milan XI: A Rossoneri Dream Team

December 29, 2024 • ac milan • football team • Italy • Kaka • line up • Pirlo • Sacchi • serie a • teammates • xi

Few clubs in world football can boast a history as rich and illustrious as AC Milan. From their dominance in Europe to their legacy of producing and attracting some of the greatest players the game has ever seen, the Rossoneri have written their name in football’s pantheon of greatness.

Massimo Ambrosini, a Milan icon himself, spent 18 years at the club, earning a reputation as a midfield general and leader. Recently, he revealed his All-Time Milan XI, a lineup that perfectly encapsulates the club's enduring brilliance. Here’s a closer look at his picks, each of whom left an indelible mark on AC Milan's storied history.

2000-2010 Serie A pick the Team of The Decade

January 13, 2024 • 00s • ac milan • football team • Italy • juventus • line up • serie a • xi

Gianluigi Buffon:

Buffon continued to establish himself as one of the world's best goalkeepers during this time. Helping Italy to Win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
He spent the majority of the decade with Juventus, helping the team secure several Serie A titles.
Buffon was known for his shot-stopping abilities, leadership on the field, and consistency.

Buffon's Juventus Teammates 11

August 4, 2023 • Buffon • football team • Italy • juventus • line up • serie a • teammates • xi

Buffon joined Juventus in 2001 from Parma and became the club's iconic goalkeeper for over a decade. He won multiple Serie A titles with the team and was known for his incredible shot-stopping abilities, leadership on and off the pitch, and his loyalty to the club. Buffon left Juventus in 2018 but returned to the club for another stint later on.