Top Five Achievements Of Giovanni Trapattoni's Career

Giovanni Trapattoni today celebrates his 70th birthday. We look at the top five moments of the legendary Italian coach's career...

17 Mar 2009 15:08:53

FIFTH PLACE - The Benfica RevivalAfter a poor Euro 2004 with Italy in Portugal, the legendary coach stayed behind, while the rest of La Nazionale went home. 'Trap' joined Lisbon-based side Benfica. The O Glorioso hadn't won the Portuguese title since 1994. The Italian wasted no time in bringing the team back to the pinnacle of Portuguese football as he steered his men to a glorious league win. Trapattoni spread his magic in Portugal and earned the name 'O Conquistador' from the Benfica faithful.

FOURTH PLACE - The Pele BattleMay 12, 1963 sees Italy take on World Champions Brazil in a prestigious friendly. Sounds familiar. The game is held at the San Siro where 'Trap' played for club side Milan. The Nazionale stopper had the task of marking the legendary Pele who was no slouch. With professionalism and skill, Trapattoni keeps the hitman quiet and forces him to abandon the pitch, such was his affect on the great Brazilian. Italy went on to win the game thanks to the defender and his prowess over Pele.

THIRD PLACE - A record-smashing Scudetto win with InterTrapattoni is once again reunited with the San Siro. This time he is on the black and blue half as coach of Inter. A perfect season sees the Nerazzurri fly to the top of Serie A to win a Tricolore which had been missing since 1980. The 1988-89 season was a memorable one. Walter Zenga kept dog in goal while Aldo Serena fired the shots up front. Lothar Matthaus was also there to keep things on the pitch under control. 58 points in 34 games with 67 goals scored and only 19 conceded as the Beneamata strolled to the Scudetto.

Second Place - The great 1976-77 SeasonFor many, this was the greatest season on the Juventus bench for Trapattoni. At 38, the coach was one of the youngest around as he learned his early management skills. He created the perfect winning formula which would see his Juventus side go all the way with bitter rivals Torino. The Old Lady stumbled over the line to win the title by a point. That same season, the Italian led his side to victory in the UEFA Cup against Bilbao. It was Juve's first ever European trophy as 'Trap' put them on the continental football map.

FIRST PLACE - The legendary triumph at Wembley.Many a great victory has been witnessed at the home of English football. It was the 60's, but this time an Italian side lifted a World famous trophy. The European Cup, now known as the Champions League, final took place in north-west London for the 1962-63 season. Benfica took the lead through the legendary Eusebio. However, Trapattoni stepped in to keep the big man shackled to the Wembley turf. The stopper's man marking skills allowed Milan to turn the game on it's head as Jose Altafini grabbed a brace to fire his side to European glory. 'Trap' and Milan conquered Europe on a memorable night in what is, perhaps, his greatest achievement during a career which has spanned the best part of half a century.