Here’s the profile of Damiano Tommasi, inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 in the ‘Midfielders’ category
PLAYER BIO
Born: May 17, 1974 in Negrar (Verona)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Year inducted into Hall of Fame: 2015, Midfielders category
Career in AS Roma first team: 1996-2006
Debut: September 8, 1996, Roma 3-1 Piacenza, Serie A, Week 1. Aldair, Abel Balbo and Daniel Fonseca got the goals, with Antonino Bernardini making his debut alongside Tommasi.
Last competitive appearance: May 14, 2006, AC Milan 2-1 Roma, Serie A, Week 38. Philippe Mexes scored for the Giallorossi.
Honors: Scudetto 2000-01, Italian Super Cup 2001, European Under-21 Championship 1996
Total appearances and goals scored: 351, 14
Appearances and goals scored in league: 263, 14
Appearances and goals scored in European competitions: 53, 3
Appearances and goals scored in Coppa Italia: 34, 4
Appearances and goals scored in Italian Super Cup: 1, 0
Damiano Tommasi was – and remains – the perfect example of the modern defensive midfielder. He was able to build the play with surges forward and expert passing, while providing ample protection for the defense behind him at the same time. A colossus in terms of breaking up the opposition’s play, Tommasi spent a decade in the heart of the Giallorossi engine room, helping to maintain the equilibrium between the various parts of the team and providing an invaluable contribution to Roma’s offensive play. His humility on and off the pitch, unerring commitment, consummate professionalism and technical skill made him a firm favorite with some of the legends of the Italian game, who saw their brand of football reflected in the classy Tommasi. Indeed, Tommasi received high praise from 1942 World Cup winner Paolo Jacobini, who called him “an example to follow” on more than once occasion. Part of the Roma side that tasted Scudetto glory in the 2000-01 season, Tommasi also won the Italian Super Cup in 2011 and the European Under-21 Championships in 1996. In addition to this, he traveled to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan with the Azzurri senior side. Perhaps the best moment of his Giallorossi career came on January 7, 2001, when he scored the second goal in Roma’s 0-2 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo and came close to adding a third on a number of occasions. It was a stellar performance from Tommasi, who was simply unplayable throughout. The image of Tommasi punching the air in celebration that day remains one of the most iconic snapshots from the glorious 2000-01 season.
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