Albertini, born in Besana in Brianza, province of Monza e Brianza, emerged as a product of AC Milan's youth system, and went on to spend 14 highly successful years with the club after debuting as a 17-year-old in 1989.
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Arrigo Sacchi's team selection for the second group game against Czech Republic was based on the presumption that after the victory over Russia and in the light of the upcoming German clash, Italy could afford playing without a series of key players including Albertini.
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Italians went to the European championship in England as vice-world champions and many saw Sacchi's team as the key contender for the title alongside with Germany.
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In Dino Zoff's formation, Albertini was an unquestionable leader of midfield and his role had been paramount while Italy progressed throughout the tournament to the final.
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Sacchi in one of his interviews admitted the early departure was due to his mistakes and the 1996 squad was his best Italy team, even better than the one that got the second place in USA 1994.
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In the quarter-final clash, Zidane-led France managed to overcome the masters of insurmountable defence only by penalties, during which Albertini's surprising failure did induce the tides to turn against Squadra Azzurra.
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Albertini's presence was not as central and explicit as it was in the previous big tournaments, but Cesare Maldini relied on him as one of the key central midfielders.
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Italy lost to Czechs 2-1 and then despite a top-class performance against Germany, during which Albertini's dominance in midfield allowed Azurri to dominate Germans- the future champions - over the entire game which, to misfortune of Italians, ended 0-0.
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Out of the games that Italy played in France, Albertini was not involved only when Azzurri faced Austria in group stage.
Albertini | San Demetrio Corone | Demetrio e Polibio | Demetrio Stratos | Giampiero Albertini | Francesco Albertini | Demetrio Vallejo |