Pasquale Bruno

Bruno started his career with his home-town side U.S. Lecce in 1979. The defender moved north to Como in 1983, and then four years later joined Juventus in 1987. Although his time with the Bianconeri was predominantly disappointing, due to the club's crisis following the retirement of legend Michel Platini, he won a UEFA Cup medal during the 1989–90 season, under manager Dino Zoff, as Juventus defeated Italian rivals Fiorentina in the 1990 UEFA Cup Final, and a Coppa Italia winners medal the same season, defeating Milan in the final. Although Bruno often declared that he had not formed friendships with footballers, partially due to his combative style of play and aggressive behaviour, he notably formed a close friendship with team-mate Ian Rush during his time at the club. In 1990 Bruno joined Juve's fierce cross-city rivals Torino; despite initially being disliked by the fans, due to his past with Torino's bitter rivals Juventus, he soon became a club favourite, due to his tenacious, determined style of play, and due to his dedication and leadership. During his time at Torino, he won the Mitropa Cup in 1991, and he added another Coppa Italia medal during the 1992–93 season, knocking out his former club in the semi-finals of the tournament. The previous season he had played in his second UEFA Cup final, although on this occasion he tasted defeat as Ajax Amsterdam defeated Torino on the "away goals" rule. During his time at Torino, he attracted particular controversy in the…

A strong, versatile, tenacious, yet controversial player, Bruno was capable of playing anywhere in defence, although he was most frequently deployed as a full-back, or also as a centre-back. Although he did not possess good technical ability, he was known for his physicality, man-marking, and concentration, and was notorious for his intense commitment, aggression, and occasional outrageous outbursts on the pitch, as well as his tendency to pick up cards. He was nicknamed the "animal" throughout his career by former Juventus president Gianni Agnelli and former Juventus team-mate Roberto Tricella, due to his physical, tenacious style of play, as well as his tendency to commit violent, and often, illegal challenges. Due to his temperamental character and his behaviour on the pitch, he was frequently involved in altercations with opponents, most notably Roberto Baggio, who often criticised Bruno for his challenges and aggression on the pitch, as well as with Massimo Crippa, Marco van Basten, Carlo Ancelotti, Pierluigi Casiraghi, Gianluca Vialli, Franco Lerda, Rubén Sosa, Florin Răducioiu, Paolo Di Canio, and Diego Maradona. One of the most infamous disputes between Bruno and Baggio occurred during the final weeks of the 1988–89 Serie A season, on 28 May 1989, when Juventus faced rivals Fiorentina in Turin. Bruno kicked Baggio down when he was away from the ball, and Baggio subsequently retaliated, resulting in both players being sent-off and receiving a two-match suspension.…

Juventus

UEFA Cup: 1989–90 Coppa Italia: 1989–90 Torino

Mitropa Cup: 1990–91 Coppa Italia: 1992–93 Fiorentina

Serie B: 1993–94 Individual

Torino FC Hall of Fame: 2019