Milan shock as former keeper Pazzagli dies
Sunday, July 31, 2011
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Franco Baresi paid tribute to a man "appreciated and loved by everyone at Milan" after ex-Rossoneri goalkeeper Andrea Pazzagli died at the age of 51 following a stroke.
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Former AC Milan goalkeeper Andrea Pazzagli has died at the age of 51 after suffering a stroke while on holiday in Punta Ala, Tuscany on Sunday.
Pazzagli, a goalkeeping coach within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) youth setup, spent two years at Milan under Arrigo Sacchi. He was part of the 1990 European Champion Clubs' Cup-winning squad, and though an unused substitute in the final against SL Benfica he started a few months later as the Rossoneri beat Club Olimpia to claim the European/South American Cup.
Franco Baresi, who was captain of that Milan team, said on Sunday: "I was shocked when I heard the news. Pazzagli was appreciated and loved by everyone at Milan. I had the good fortune to play with him; he was always happy and smiling, a great person, very easy to like. We won trophies together; those were wonderful years. My heart goes out to his family at this sad time."
Florence-born Pazzagi also played for AS Roma, AC Perugia, Ascoli Calcio and Bologna FC among others, before taking a post with the FIGC in 2001. He is survived his wife and three children, the oldest of which, 22-year-old Edoardo, is on ACF Fiorentina's books.
