Gianluca Pagliuca was born on 18 December 1966 in Bologna. A goalkeeper of the highest standard, his career was spent between three clubs: Sampdoria, Inter and Bologna. He lived through the golden years for the Blucerchiati, winning that historic Scudetto in 1991, one Cup Winners’ Cup, three Coppe Italia and one Italian Super Cup, as well as losing out to Barcelona in the European Cup final in 1992. After seven seasons with Sampdoria, he moved to Inter in 1994. Pagliuca sported Nerazzurri colours until 1999, winning the UEFA Cup in 1998 against Lazio with a 3-0 victory. From 1999 to 2006 he became an icon for Bologna’s fanbase, a club where he set the record for most goalkeeper appearances (206). He finished his career at Ascoli, playing his final Serie A season in 2006/07 and setting the goalkeeper record for most top-flight appearances (592) before being overtaken by Buffon on 640.

His story with the National Team began with a call up for the Italy ’90 World Cup, where he was third choice behind Zenga and Tacconi. His debut arrived on 16 June 1992 in the Scania Cup in Sweden, Vicini sending him on for the second half of Italy’s 1-1 draw with the USSR. After Sacchi arrived in the Azzurri technical area, Pagliuca moved up to the role of starter. He was at the heart of Italy’s World Cup qualification for USA ’94, as well as the tournament itself where the Azzurri reached the final. He then dropped down the pecking order after that World Cup, not making his return to the side until Cesare Maldini’s time in charge, reinserted as a back-up to Peruzzi. When the first-choice goalkeeper got injured, it was Pagliuca who stepped up for the World Cup in 1998. This tournament saw him play his final game for the Azzurri as Italy were knocked out on penalties by France in the quarter-finals. In total he made 39 appearances for the Italian National Team.