A late developer on the Serie A stage, Manuel Pasqual emerged from nowhere to become a top-class left-back with AC Fiorentina, earning full Italian international honours shortly after his arrival in Florence. Rugged and resilient, his powerful left foot can be a useful weapon at set pieces.

• Played lower-league football for first six years of his career, most of it at AC Arezzo, with whom he won promotion to Serie B in 2004.

• Left for Fiorentina in 2005 and proved a revelation in Serie A, making 35 appearances in debut campaign and winning first cap for Azzurri as late substitute in March 2006 friendly against Germany at the Viola's Stadio Artemio Franchi (4-1).

• Maintained form in 2006/07, helping Viola finish fifth in Serie A despite 15-point deduction, but less consistent over next two campaigns and unused in 2008/09 UEFA Champions League due to the arrival of new left-back Juan Vargas.

• Despite apparent decline in fortunes he signed a new three-year contract with Fiorentina in July 2009.

• Interchanged at left-back with Massimo Gobbi during first half of 2009/10 campaign, making UEFA Champions League debut in Budapest against Debreceni VSC (4-3).

Did you know?
Pasqual was co-owned by Arezzo and Fiorentina during his debut season in Florence (2005/06).