The trajectory of Alessandro Birindelli’s career was defined by long commutes and a persistent commitment to his craft, a journey his parents, Paolo and Erminia, detailed in a 2005 interview with Guerin Sportivo.
Long before he became a mainstay at Juventus, the young defender balanced the demands of high school and elite youth training, often relying on a routine that saw him traveling by train from his home in San Frediano a Settimo to Empoli.
Paolo Birindelli, a worker at the Saint-Gobain factory, and his wife, Erminia, a clerk, supported their son’s early ambition to play for Juventus. His development began at age eight within the San Frediano youth system, though he also participated in judo, cycling, and skateboarding. When he reached age 11, Fiorentina expressed interest in the prospect, but his family opted for Empoli, which paid a 2 million fee to secure his development.
The Routine of an Aspiring Professional
Erminia often accompanied her son on the train to training sessions, spending the waiting hours working on crochet, eventually producing several tablecloths and lace. As the demands of his training schedule intensified, Birindelli eventually left school during his third year of high school—a decision his mother later described as a source of regret.
Paolo Birindelli coordinated the logistical challenges of his son’s career, often dropping his football bag off with a parking attendant at the Pisa station before work.
Erminia would place a sandwich in the bag at midday, and Birindelli would collect it after school to head to Empoli, often not returning home until 8 p.m. His father also recalled how Alessandro would practice left-footed crosses after sessions against a wall, telling his family, “If I want to play, I must improve my left foot.”
Establishing a Career at Juventus
In the summer of 1997, Empoli coach Luciano Spalletti recommended Birindelli to Juventus manager Marcello Lippi. By then, the defender had helped Empoli earn promotion to Serie A and participated in a Mediterranean Games championship win with the Italy U23 squad under coach Marco Tardelli.
“When I first arrived here, I didn’t think I would stay for so long,” Birindelli said of his time in Turin. “For someone who was a Juventus fan since childhood, it was a dream come true.”
In his inaugural season with the club, Birindelli made 47 appearances and scored two goals, helping the team secure both the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup. He recalled that Lippi, during the first day of training, emphasized that while there was a hierarchy to respect, there was space for every player to contribute.
Memorable Moments in Black and White
Although Birindelli faced stiff competition for a starting spot in subsequent seasons, he remained a trusted figure for multiple managers, including Carlo Ancelotti. During the 1998-99 campaign, he appeared in 36 matches across all competitions. His technical ability and capacity to maintain form despite intermittent playing time remained a hallmark of his tenure.
One of the most celebrated moments of his career occurred during the 2002-03 Champions League against Deportivo La Coruña. Birindelli scored from approximately 30 meters out with a right-footed strike into the corner, a goal widely remembered as one of the most spectacular from outside the box in football history.
He also cited his assist to Marcelo Zalayeta at Barcelona and the semifinal match against Real Madrid at the Stadio delle Alpi as personal career highlights.
His international career saw him debut for the Italy national team on November 20, 2002, in a match against Turkey under manager Giovanni Trapattoni. Birindelli’s time at Juventus was marked by his consistent professional approach, even as he navigated significant physical challenges, including a severe foul he sustained during a 2005 friendly match against Benfica.
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