Legends Corner | Michele Padovano relives his Bianconeri memories | OneFootball

“Juve is Juve: you realise what a club it is when you leave.”

Although more than 25 years have passed, Michele Padovano still has no doubts. The look of someone who has never stopped fighting in life, just as he did on the pitch every time he wore the Juventus shirt - 63 appearances, 18 goals and nine assists in a team that, between 1995 and 1997, managed to achieve a feat that is very difficult to replicate: winning everything there was to win. Including a Champions League victory, defeating Ajax in Rome on penalties. One of which he scored himself:

“That penalty kick in Rome, that night, are wonderful and unforgettable memories that live with me forever and that also are also key memories for my family: we experienced some exceptional moments. I'm happy because it was a joy shared with the fans: us on the pitch, them in the stands because winning that Champions League was so important for everyone. It was a different kind of joy: my hope is that Juventus can do it again in the future.”

A success that encapsulates the spirit and values of the group and the club:

“The organisation that Juventus possess is incredible, from all points of view: when I arrived I immediately realised that the players competed in training, every day. We were training to go further, to improve all the time: I learnt this at the age of 29 and I am very satisfied as a result. Due to this amongst many other aspects, Juventus is a unique club. On a professional level, winning the Champions League was an achievement I will never forget from my career - also because it came at the end of a European campaign during which I had played well and scored several goals. Together with an extraordinary group of teammates, we had a wonderful two years: first winning the league, then going on to win the cup. If I think of my goals with Juventus, I scored several in the league too - I especially remember the one against Roma and the brace against Lazio. As I mentioned earlier, credit should also be given to my teammates and the club for the great support I received. If you are not helped during your integration into the squad, everything becomes more complicated: I was able to give my best because of the high levels of support from both my teammates and the club.”

Seasons full of satisfaction, with only one sour note: an injury that would mark the end of his adventure in Bianconero.

“I remember the encounters with AC Milan, who were the team we fought most closely against in those years: everyone who met us was very afraid of us; in fact we were very strong [laughs]. The injury with the national team in 1997 remains hard to swallow: it came during a period when I was doing well, I was starting for Juventus and I was also part of the group of players to be called up by Italy. The coach Cesare Maldini had a lot of time for me, so much so that I would have started for Italy against Poland if I hadn't injured myself in training: that’s life, unfortunately. I've had my fair share of happiness and I can't complain. Of course, if I hadn't got injured I'm sure things would have been different...”

A man used to fighting as hard as Padovano, however, has realised that you cannot plan for what life will throw at you, but that in every area of life those who fight and never give up always manage to achieve their goals in the end. As was his case in obtaining justice: “Fortunately I have now resolved a very sad and difficult situation, which meant that I was forced to defend myself and fight for 17 years: but now I have been able to put that behind me. I love football, I like this world, I watch 3-4 games a day...” he mentioned to us as we are saying goodbye, before recalling one last memory of a special teammate. Different from everyone else, even in a squad of champions:

“Gianluca Vialli was special, not only in my opinion but in the opinion of all those who were lucky enough to know him and play with him: I had a special relationship with him, for example my choice to go and play in England was also dictated by the fact that he was there. I was sure that he would help me to settle in and that was indeed the case: a bright, intelligent guy, we got along very well, we lived in London just a few hundred metres away from each other. He is a person who is greatly missed, although I like to think that men like him will never really die because they are those types of icons who leave their mark - as far as I'm concerned, a very strong and lasting mark.”

Not just for you Michele, but for all of us.