An Italian international centre-back, Alessandro Gamberini was called up to the Azzurri's UEFA EURO 2008 squad as an emergency replacement for injured captain Fabio Cannavaro. Tough, dependable and strong in the air, he joined ACF Fiorentina from Bologna FC in 2005.

• Born in Bologna, he joined his local club and made first-team debut at S.S. Lazio on 9 January 2000.

• Made 34 Serie A appearances in three seasons for Bologna before moving on loan to Serie B club Hellas Verona FC in 2002/03.

• Left Bologna after relegation in 2005, joining Fiorentina for €3m; became regular in central defence alongside captain Dario Dainelli in 2006/07, scoring first Serie A goal in March 2007 against Torino FC and adding his second in the same game (5-1).

• Made nine UEFA Cup appearances as Viola reached semi-finals in 2007/08; won first cap for Italy in same season – in 2-0 victory over South Africa in Siena.

• Helped Fiorentina qualify for UEFA Champions League two years running; made five group-stage appearances in 2008/09, four in 2009/10.

Did you know?
A member of Italy's squad at UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Gamberini did not play in either tournament.