Italy 5-2 Scotland
October 13, 1993
European U21 Championship qualifier
“This was one of the best matches of my life – I scored a hat-trick. I was playing for Torino at the time and everyone was talking about me as one of the finest young players around, so there was huge pressure on this game in Ferrara because sporting directors from all of these different clubs came to watch me. I was very happy after the game; it gave me more confidence for the future. We went on to win the tournament by defeating France, who had Zinedine Zidane, and Portugal, who had Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Luis Figo. Our team was amazing: we had Francesco Toldo, Christian Panucci, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Muzzi, Dario Marcolin, Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi. Several of the players in that team played in Serie A for 20 years.”
Inter 2-0 Roma
January 14, 1996 Serie A
“I’ll never forget this match. Nobody could stop me. Inter is my team and my family’s team too – I had always supported them when I was younger. They’re the most important team in my life and one of the most important teams in the world, so getting to play for them was special. I joined the club that season, after a year with Napoli. There was an incredible atmosphere for the game against Roma, and I set up one of Marco Branca’s two goals in a 2-0 victory. I was dribbling, crossing, shooting – everything. When I came back on the pitch ready for the second half, the whole stadium applauded me and chanted my name. The next day, all of the newspapers said that I’d set San Siro on fire. I should have stayed at Inter for much longer than I did.”
Sheff Wed 3-2 N Forest
December 7, 1998 Premier League
“I played fantastic football in the three years I spent at Sheffield Wednesday. I was more mature as a person and a player. The club was like a family – it was the best time of my life, and when I visit Sheffield now I always feel like I’m back home. The supporters loved me and
