Pietro Vierchowod

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Pietro Vierchowod

| image = 2013 friendly match, Persepolis Legends v AC Milan Glorie (68) - Pietro Vierchowod (cropped).jpg

| caption = Vierchowod in 2013

| fullname = Pietro Vierchowod{{cite web |url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/209065 |title=Vierchowod Sig. Pietro |trans-title=Vierchowod Mr. Pietro |website=Quirinale |publisher=Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana |access-date=13 December 2020 |language=it}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|4|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Calcinate, Italy

| height = 1.79 m

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1973–1976 | youthclubs1 = Romanese

| years1 = 1976–1981 | clubs1 = Como | caps1 = 115 | goals1 = 6

| years2 = 1981–1982 | clubs2 = Fiorentina | caps2 = 28 | goals2 = 2

| years3 = 1982–1983 | clubs3 = Roma | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 1983–1995 | clubs4 = Sampdoria | caps4 = 358 | goals4 = 25

| years5 = 1995–1996 | clubs5 = Juventus | caps5 = 21 | goals5 = 2

| years6 = 1996–1997 | clubs6 = AC Milan | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 1

| years7 = 1997–2000 | clubs7 = Piacenza | caps7 = 79 | goals7 = 6

| totalcaps = 647 | totalgoals = 42

| nationalyears1 = 1981–1993 | nationalteam1 = Italy | nationalcaps1 = 45 | nationalgoals1 = 2

| manageryears1 = 2001 | managerclubs1 = Catania

| manageryears2 = 2002 | managerclubs2 = Florentia Viola

| manageryears3 = 2005 | managerclubs3 = Triestina

| manageryears4 = 2014 | managerclubs4 = Budapest Honvéd

| manageryears5 = 2018 | managerclubs5 = Kamza

| medaltemplates = {{medalSport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ITA}}}}

}}

Pietro Vierchowod {{postnominals|post-noms=Ufficiale OMRI}} ({{Langx|uk|П’єтро Верховод|translit=P'etro Verkhovod}}, born 6 April 1959) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, and a manager. He represented the Italy national side during his career and was in the Italian squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian centre-backs of all-time, and one of the best of his generation, during his playing career he was nicknamed lo Zar ("the Tsar") because of his pace, defensive ability, physicality, tenacious playing style, and Ukrainian descent; he was the son of a Ukrainian Red Army soldier from Starobilsk.{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/vierchowod-pietro.html|title=Pietro Vierchowod: l'ultimo zar|trans-title=Peter Vierchowod: the last tsar|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=9 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttojuve.com/gli-eroi-bianconeri/gli-eroi-in-bianconero-pietro-vierchowod-46575|title=Gli eroi in bianconero: Pietro VIERCHOWOD|trans-title=The heroes in black and white: Pietro VIERCHOWOD|publisher=Tutto Juve|language=it|author1=Stefano Bedeschi|date=19 April 2013|access-date=4 August 2016}}

Early life

Vierchowod was born in Calcinate, in the province of Bergamo. He is the son of a former Soviet prisoner of war. His father, Ivan Lukyanovych Verkhovod ({{Langx|uk|Іван Лук’янович Верховод}}), a Ukrainian, was taken prisoner during World War II, escaped from a Nazi concentration camp in northern Italy, and fought in a partisan detachment of the Italian Resistance. After the war he did not return to the USSR and settled in Lombardy.

Club career

Vierchowod was initially a man-marking centre-back, who also later excelled in a zonal-marking system. He started his professional football career for Como, before moving to Fiorentina. However, his first successes came when he moved to Roma, winning a Serie A scudetto in 1983. Then he moved to Sampdoria, with whom he won four Italian Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and another scudetto in 1991. In 1995, Vierchowod signed for Juventus, where he acted as an experienced defender and won his only UEFA Champions League in 1996 at the age of 37. He played the final in Rome against Ajax which Juve won on penalties.

Vierchowod then moved on to AC Milan and Piacenza, for whom he continued to play regularly until his early 40s. In the 1998–99 season, Vierchowod scored three goals in the last ten Serie A matchdays to help Piacenza win six out of the last ten league games, which was crucial in securing survival; his second goal was scored on 3 April 1999, just three days before his 40th birthday, in a 4–3 win over Udinese, and his third goal came in the final matchday, on 23 May, when Vierchowod, at the age of 40 years and 47 days, scored in a 1–1 draw against Salernitana,{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ital99.html |title=Italy 1998/99 |publisher=RSSSF |date=9 July 2001 |access-date=30 January 2024 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,32/articleid,0490_01_1999_0140_0038_6489451/ |title=Salerno in B per l'arbitraggio |trans-title=Salerno in B for refereeing |language=Italian |work=La Stampa |page=42 |date=24 May 1999 |access-date=30 January 2024 }} thus becoming the second 40-year-old player to score a Serie A goal after Silvio Piola, and currently sitting as the fifth oldest Serie A goalscorer behind Zlatan Ibrahimović, Alessandro Costacurta, Piola, and Fabio Quagliarella.{{cite web |url=https://acefootball.com/football-news/the-5-oldest-goalscorers-in-serie-a-history/ |title=The 5 Oldest Goalscorers in Serie A History |website=acefootball.com |date=27 July 2023 |access-date=30 January 2024 }}

He eventually retired in 2000, aged 41. Vierchowod played 562 Serie A matches, and is the seventh-highest appearance holder of all time in Serie A, behind only to Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti, Javier Zanetti, Gianluca Pagliuca, and Dino Zoff.

International career

Vierchowod was capped 45 times with the Italy national team between 1981 and 1993, scoring two goals. He made his international debut on 6 January 1981, at the age of 21, during a 1–1 friendly draw against the Netherlands in Montevideo, in the 1981 "Mundialito" tournament. He was one of the players in the Italian squad, although he did not play, that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, under manager Enzo Bearzot. Vierchowod was a member of the Italian squad that took part at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and he also made three appearances at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, as Italy finished in third place on home soil, under manager Azeglio Vicini, after reaching the semi-finals. He is also the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Italy national team: he scored in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Malta on 24 March 1993, which ended in a 6–1 win for the Azzurri, under manager Arrigo Sacchi. Vierchowod also competed for Italy at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, where Italy managed a fourth-place finish, after reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, although he has never played for Italy in a UEFA European Championship.{{cite web|publisher=Sports Reference|title=Pietro Vierchowod Biography and Statistics|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/vi/pietro-vierchowod-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418013344/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/vi/pietro-vierchowod-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-04-18|access-date=2009-10-28}}{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=41&squadra=1|title=Nazionale in cifre: Vierchowod, Pietro|website=figc.it|publisher=FIGC|language=it|access-date=27 April 2015}}

Style of play

Nicknamed lo Zar,{{cite web|url=http://www.cinquantamila.it/storyTellerThread.php?threadId=VIERCHOWOD+Pietro|title=Biografia di Pietro Vierchowod|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=GIORGIO DELL’ARTI|date=16 December 2014|access-date=26 October 2017}} Vierchowod was a tenacious and physical left-footed centre-back, who possessed great pace;{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/06/15/vierchowod-gettone-ho-un-futuro-zona.html|title=VIERCHOWOD A GETTONE 'HO UN FUTURO A ZONA'|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=FABRIZIO BOCCA|date=15 June 1991|access-date=26 October 2017}} regarded as one of Italy's best ever defenders,{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/pietro-vierchowod_%28Enciclopedia-dello-Sport%29/|title=VIERCHOWOD, Pietro|publisher=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport (2002)|language=it|author1=Enrico Maida|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.asroma.com/it/notizie/2016/03/cruyff-la-roma-di-liedholm-e-il-calcio-totale|title=Cruyff, la Roma di Liedholm e il calcio totale…|publisher=www.asroma.com|language=it|author1=Tiziano Riccardi|date=27 March 2016|access-date=28 October 2017}} during his career, he was considered one of the fastest defenders in the world,{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1986/03/28/galli-tancredi-ancora-non-scelgo.html|title=GALLI O TANCREDI ANCORA NON SCELGO'|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=28 March 1986|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1998/gennaio/15/Vierchowod_adesso_dedico_Balbo_co_10_9801153340.shtml|title=Vierchowod: E adesso mi dedico a Balbo|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=15 January 1998|access-date=9 November 2014}} and one of the toughest Serie A defenders of the 1980s and the 1990s, due to his immense strength, tight marking of opponents, and hard tackling style of play. Usually deployed as a man-marking "stopper" in his early career, functioning as a more defensive-minded foil for a sweeper, his speed, powerful physique, anticipation, positional sense, decisiveness in his challenges, and ability to read the game enabled him to break down opposing plays, win back possession, and intercept loose balls; these attributes, also allowed him to excel in the zonal marking defensive system during his later career.{{cite web|url=http://www.magliarossonera.it/protagonisti/Gioc-Vierchowod.html|title=Profilo: Pietro VIERCHOWOD|publisher=magliarossonera.it|language=it|access-date=9 November 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,21/articleid,1300_02_1990_0049_0021_18950916/|title=Lo zar tenta di imprigionare il re dei bomber di nome Mark|newspaper=La Stampa|page=32|language=it|author1=Bruno Bernardi|date=3 June 1996|access-date=28 October 2017}} Although he was initially not the most refined or technically gifted defender in his youth, as his career progressed, he showed significant technical and tactical improvements.{{cite web|url=http://www.almanaccogiallorosso.it/Giocatori/Vierchowod.html|title=PIETRO VIERCHOWOD|publisher=www.almanaccogiallorosso.it|language=it|access-date=28 October 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,20/articleid,1027_01_1983_0109_0028_14347758/ |title=Vierchowod uomo in più, Nappy jolly |newspaper=La Stampa |page=20 |language=it |date=10 May 1983 |access-date=22 September 2018 }} While he was not particularly tall for a centre-back, he was also very strong in the air, due to his elevation, and had a penchant for scoring goals from headers; as a result he is one of the most prolific Italian defenders of all time.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcinternews.it/rassegna-stampa/gds-samuel-goleador-ora-testa-a-firenze-142176|title=GdS - Samuel goleador, ora testa a Firenze|publisher=www.fcinternews.it|language=it|author1=Alessandro Cavasinni|date=11 February 2014|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915101716/http://www.fcinternews.it/rassegna-stampa/gds-samuel-goleador-ora-testa-a-firenze-142176|archive-date=15 September 2016|url-status=dead}} Despite his aggressive playing style, he was also regarded as a fair player both on and off the pitch,{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/05/07/cinque-facce-per-un-campionato.html|title=CINQUE FACCE PER UN CAMPIONATO|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=7 May 1991|access-date=26 October 2017}} and also stood out for his longevity, leadership, dedication in training, and ability to avoid injuries.{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/settembre/08/Vierchowod_non_finisce_mai_ga_0_9809088644.shtml|title=Vierchowod non finisce mai|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Germano Bovolenta|author2=Massimo Meroi|date=8 September 1998|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/febbraio/15/Vierchowod_capolavoro_del_500_ga_0_9802158723.shtml|title=Vierchowod capolavoro del 500|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Germano Bovolenta|date=15 February 1998|access-date=26 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/brio-50-anni-e-rimpianto-ora-azzurro-giocano-tutti.html|title=Brio, 50 anni e un rimpianto "Ora in azzurro giocano tutti"|publisher=Il Giornale|website=ilgiornale.it|language=it|author1=Tony Damascelli|date=19 August 2006|access-date=26 April 2015}}

In a 2008 interview with Argentine magazine El Gráfico, Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, dubbed Vierchowod his toughest opponent,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.elgrafico.com.ar/2008/09/10/C-120-basile-se-olvido-de-los-codigos.php?vv=1&vote=2|title=Basile se olvidó de los códigos|magazine=El Gráfico|language=es|last=Borinsky|first=Diego|date=10 September 2008|access-date=2 September 2019}} stating that "[Vierchowod] was an animal, he had muscles to the eyelashes. It was easy to pass by him, but then when I raised my head, he was in front of me again. I would have to pass him two or three more times and then I would pass the ball because I couldn't stand him anymore". Throughout his career, Maradona gave Vierchowod the nickname Hulk.

Gary Lineker also revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo that Vierchowod was "the hardest defender he ever faced" adding "he was absolutely brutal and lightning quick. He gave me one or two digs."{{cite news |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/gary-lineker-his-england-career |title=Gary Lineker on his England career |work=FourFourTwo |date=4 February 2008 |access-date=22 September 2014 }}

Marco van Basten named Pietro Vierchowod and Riccardo Ferri as two of the best defenders he ever faced,{{cite news |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,19/articleid,1301_02_1990_0073_0019_18955821/ |title=È il derby dei Paperoni |work=La Stampa Sera |page=19 |language=it |last1=Sormani |first1=Nino |date=17 March 1990 |access-date=2 September 2019 }} while Gabriel Batistuta described Vierchowod as the best defender in the world in 1992.{{cite news |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,33/articleid,0821_01_1992_0046_0033_11499031/ |title=Batistuta, il tuono sul Diavolo |work=La Stampa |page=33 |language=it |last1=Beccantini |first1=Roberto |date=16 February 1992 |access-date=2 September 2019 }}

Coaching career

After his playing career, Vierchowod coached Catania of Serie C1, Florentia Viola (now Fiorentina) of Serie C2 and Triestina of Serie B. In all of the circumstances, he left before the end of the season.

On 13 June 2014, Vierchowod was announced as the new coach of the Hungarian club, Budapest Honvéd,{{cite web|title=Vierchowod az új edző|url=http://www.honvedfc.hu/hirek/10517|publisher=Budapest Honved|access-date=13 June 2014|language=hu|date=13 June 2014}} but after the team's poor performance and the lack of company support, he resigned on 6 October.{{cite web|title=Kirúgták a Honvéd edzőjét|url=http://sportgeza.hu/futball/hirek/2014/10/06/kirugtak_a_honved_edzojet/|publisher=index.hu|access-date=6 October 2014|language=hu|date=6 October 2014}}

He then briefly served as head coach of FC Kamza between June{{cite news |url=http://www.mapo.al/vierchowod-zbulon-arsyet-qe-e-sollen-te-kamza/ |language=sq |access-date=4 November 2018 |date=13 June 2018 |title=Vierchowod zbulon arsyet që e sollën te Kamza |publisher=Mapo}} and July 2018,{{cite news |url=http://lajmesportive.al/pietro-vierchowod-largohet-nga-kamza/ |language=sq |access-date=4 November 2018 |date=6 July 2018 |title=Pietro Vierchowod largohet nga Kamza

|publisher=Lajme Sportive}} He left the company because of issues with the management.

Honours

Roma{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/pietro-vierchowod_prs200794/person.shtml|title=Pietro Vierchowod|publisher=Eurosport.com|access-date=20 December 2015}}

Serie A: 1982–83

Sampdoria

Serie A: 1990–91
Coppa Italia: 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1993–94
European Cup Winners' Cup: 1989–90
Supercoppa Italiana: 1991{{cite web

|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italsupcuphist.html

|title=Italy Super Cup Finals

|website=RSSSF

|access-date=9 July 2021}}

Juventus

Italy

FIFA World Cup: 1982
Scania 100 Tournament: 1991[https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/09/tournaments-part-6-scania-100-1991.html?m=1 Tournaments-Part 6 – Scania 100 (1991)] Soccer Nostalgia. Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Individual

Serie A Team of The Year: 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991{{cite web|url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/serie-a-guerin-sportivo-1980-1991-every-game-with-player-ratings.2085771/ |website=BigSoccer |title=Guerin Sportivo Serie A Team of the Year|access-date=30 September 2024}}
Guerin d'Oro: 1983{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/italpoy.html|title=Italy - Footballer of the Year|website=RSSSF|access-date=6 February 2015}}
Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 1995{{cite web|url=http://www.comune.cinisello-balsamo.mi.it/sitospip/spip.php?article12043|title=Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare Gaetano Scirea|language=it|access-date=21 January 2015}}

Orders

:*File:Ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg 4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1991{{cite web|url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/209065|title=Onoreficenze|website=quirinale.it|language=it|date=30 September 1991|access-date=19 March 2015}}