A Name in His Own Right

Over the years, Italy has produced some of the finest midfielders in football from Giuseppe Meazza to Francesco Totti. Another man hoping to write his name into the history books is Claudio Marchisio. Enjoying what was his most successful season to date, by winning the Serie A title unbeaten with Juventus and finishing runner-up with Italy at Euro 2012, the 26 year old has become an integral part of Italian football.

Forming a formidable partnership with Andrea Pirlo for club and country, Marchisio has added consistency and guile to his combative style of play. Acting as a mentor for his compatriot, Pirlo’s strict positioning allows Marchisio to embark on attacks.

Throughout his homeland, Marchisio is compared to former Italian midfielder Marco Tardelli. Although their styles of play do share resemblances, the current Juve number eight is adamant he wants to be remembered for what he achieves. Whilst carefully paying respect to the former legend of Turin describing the comparison as “an honour”, Marchisio did state however that he wants to “write his own story”.

In 2011/12, his ‘story’ well and truly reached a dramatic chapter as Juventus won the Serie A title undefeated. The Old Lady could not have achieved this fete without the contributions of Marchisio. Establishing himself as a typical box-to-box midfielder, his defensive performances were equally impressive as when galloping forward to assist Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic in attack.

Although, Marchisio has experienced domestic enjoyment, success at international level has narrowly eluded him. After missing out on his country’s 2006 World Cup winner’s squad because of his age, and collecting a runners-up medal in this summer’s European Championship’s, the midfielder has been left a figure of frustration.

A product of the Juventus youth system, Marchisio is ready to repeat the actions of former Serie A legends Paulo Maldini and Francesco Totti and prove his loyalty by writing his story in one jersey.