APPIANO GENTILE – This week's guest on Inter Channel show Memorabilia was Graziano Bini, who donned the black and blue of Inter for 14 years in the '70s and '80s – seven of which as captain.
"Playing for Inter wasn't easy but pulling on that shirt made you feel proud,” he explained. “I was taken on after a trial in Appiano Gentile watched by [Helenio] Herrera.
"There were some fabulous players in all the teams I played in. I think [Alessandro] Altobelli, for example, is the greatest Italian centre forward in the last 40 years. We had a strong defence too with myself, [Roberto] Mozzini, [Nazzareno] Canuti and Beppe Baresi.”
The former centre-back won a Scudetto and two Coppa Italia crowns during his time at the club but is often remembered for a goal which ultimately proved futile – against Real Madrid in the 1980/81 European Cup semi-final. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Nerazzurri were given hope when Bini capped off a beautifully worked team goal to make it 1-0 on the night but they were unable to add a second to level the tie.
"Nine out of ten people remind me of that goal against Real Madrid, but of the few goals I scored I think my best was the one against Juventus – it was technically more impressive in my view.”
Bini went into scouting after hanging up his boots and said a few words on what the role entails.
“Often you have to focus on the less obvious aspects: sometimes players who need to work on certain areas of their game can go on to become successful whereas others who might initially catch the eye don't actually have what it takes.”
Asked to choose one match from his career that he'd like to play again, Bini said: “It would be one I didn't play – the day we won the league against Roma at home. I was injured that day.
“I'm also very fond of the goal I scored to clinch the Coppa Italia when we beat Napoli 2-1 in the final.”
