Gianni Brera
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Giovanni Luigi "Gianni" Brera was an Italian sports journalist and novelist.
Brera in 1975
The Lakefront Gianni Brera in Bosisio Parini, Italy
In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposition from scoring.
Gianni Brera
…Italian language, notably by creating a whole new set of terms for football (soccer), some of which have been adopted by other countries. The word libero (sweeper) for the third defender was coined by Brera. Famous nicknames he invented for Italian players include Abatino ("Little Abbot") for Gianni…
Centre-back John Terry (right) closely marks centre-forward Didier Drogba.
Edwin van der Sar, pictured playing for Manchester United during the 2010–11 season, is considered to be one of the pioneers of the sweeper-keeper role.
Paolo Maldini marking a player during a friendly match