Remembering the Sheer Brilliance of Marcello Lippi’s Juventus

Italy has been creating and revering beauty for centuries, whether through grandiose art and architecture or expressing it with something as simple as a perfectly tailored suit. As such, “la bella figura”—literally “the beautiful figure”—has become an essential philosophy, one so deeply embedded in the psyche of the nation that it rules the lives of people on the peninsula far more intently than any law passed by the government.

The phrase has many meanings, but at its core is presentation; how one looks, how one comports oneself, how one makes the best possible impression in all things. It goes beyond image and outward appearance, but if anyone in football embodied the phrase to the world at large it should be Marcello Lippi.

While many Italians would perhaps look to Gianni Agnelli as the perfect example, the former Juventus and Fiat owner lived in an era where it was much more difficult to earn the international recognition that Lippi so clearly has.

Born in Viareggio—a small town in northern Tuscany—back in 1948, Lippi’s playing days spanned 12 years spent as a stylish central defender. He was never quite good enough to merit consideration for the Azzurri, but he was still recognised as an adept sweeper. An intelligent passer who was supremely comfortable on the ball, he would hang up his boots in 1982 and begin a career in the dugout to very little fanfare.

Marcello Lippi #Sampdoria pic.twitter.com/UoKUzdAiGL

— Sampdoria UK (@Sampdoria_UK) March 28, 2014

After starting with a role in the Sampdoria youth sector, he would go on to be fired three times as he coached eight teams with very little tangible success during his first 11 years in management. That would change when he was appointed by a declining and unstable Napoli in 1993.

Beset with behind-the-scenes problems in aftermath of their Diego Maradona-led glory years, Lippi would enhance his reputation by guiding them to a sixth-place finish in Serie A, earning a place in the UEFA Cup as a result.

That would in turn see him granted the opportunity of a lifetime 12 months later, as he was handed the reins of Juventus as Giovanni Trapattoni left the club for the second time. But he would not inherit a dominant vintage of the Bianconeri. It was a team struggling for an identity and without a league title since 1986, the longest drought the Turin giants had endured since the outbreak of World War II.

Moggi, Lippi, Bettega, Giruado. pic.twitter.com/1m6kPWlS83

— ㅤ (@abomovich) March 15, 2015

Lippi would prove to be the perfect man to lead them back to greatness, establishing Italian football’s grand Old Lady as the most feared side anywhere in Europe. It was a side that mirrored the man then charged with leading them; young, ambitious and yet to win anything of real significance, but with a hardened edge and a steely determination.

Young and unproven talents like Angelo Peruzzi, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Antonio Conte were supported by veterans such as Gianluca Vialli and Jurgen Kohler who knew exactly what was required if Juventus were to be truly successful.

Juventus would go on to win the 1994/95 Serie A title, clinching a rare double by beating Parma in the Coppa Italia final. Led by former Juve midfielder Dino Baggio, the same opponent would deny them a UEFA Cup win, emerging 2-1 victors in the two-legged final.

It was a …

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