Full name Pierluigi Cera Role Footballer Years Team Height 1.72 m | 1957–1964 Verona Position Defender Name Pierluigi Cera | |
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Date of birth (1941-02-25) 25 February 1941 (age 74) Place of birth Legnago, Verona, Veneto, Italy Playing position | ||
Pierluigi Cera (born 25 February 1941 in Legnago) is a former Italian footballer who played as a midfielder or as a defender, most notably for Cagliari, and the Italy national football team.
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Club career
During his club career, Cera played for Verona (1957–64), Cagliari (1964–73), and Cesena (1973–79). He made his Serie A debut with Verona, in a 2–0 away defeat to Milan on 4 May 1958. He later captained Cagliari to the Serie A title in 1970, the first and only league title in the club's history.
International career
At international level, Cera earned 18 caps for the Italy national football team between 1969 and 1972; he made his debut on 22 November 1969, in a 3–0 win over East Germany in a World Cup qualifier, and subsequently played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, including the final against Brazil, in which Italy finished in second place following a 4–1 defeat.
Style of play
A versatile player, Cera was capable of playing both as a midfield playmaker, and also as a defender. He occupied the role of a Libero or sweeper in his later career, due to his vision, passing, creativity, and ability to bring the ball out from the back, as well as his consistent defensive attributues, which made him, alongside Franz Beckenbauer, one of the first offensive sweepers of his time.