How good was Gianluca Festa?
- Thread starter TheBlueButterfly
- Start date
Expat Smoggie
Well-known member
That’s very true. The fella had a very big heart and was willing to sacrifice for the cause but just as important I thought he was talented both with his head and feet.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Whilst he was a CB when we signed him, and a very good one, interesting that no one has really mentioned his versatility as I remember him playing right back quite a lot once we’d signed Ugo etc and he was very effective there too. Hard as nails, but half decent on the ball and good in the air.
uncle_rico
Well-known member
Seem to remember him playing right back a few times in the 97/98 promotion season.
Weren’t those A-Line boots made from kangaroo leather? Gazza wore them too. I think Merson did for a bit as well, although he was mainly Hi-Tec.
Weren’t those A-Line boots made from kangaroo leather? Gazza wore them too. I think Merson did for a bit as well, although he was mainly Hi-Tec.
ForssAwakens
Well-known member
The diving header he missed before the third goal?
Teesste
Well-known member
One of those horrible players you would hate if he was on the other team but he was ours and we loved him.
Made his debut and scored in a win over Sheffield Wednesday which I seem to remember was the first home game after the 3 point deduction. The atmosphere that day was something else .
Made his debut and scored in a win over Sheffield Wednesday which I seem to remember was the first home game after the 3 point deduction. The atmosphere that day was something else .
Borobuddah
Well-known member
Left everything on the pitch, loved him
S7DiscoDown
Well-known member
Defending CB 'leaders' are a thing of the past. It's all about being a left footed CB (Wilder) or being John Stones Mk2.
That's why we've a gem in Lenihan. You don't see many like that now. I doubt you could sign one. I'm old fashioned yet I'd want my CBs to defend and be rock solid. Ala Mogga / Pearson etc. I don't care if you can ping a 40 yard pass left to right
That's why we've a gem in Lenihan. You don't see many like that now. I doubt you could sign one. I'm old fashioned yet I'd want my CBs to defend and be rock solid. Ala Mogga / Pearson etc. I don't care if you can ping a 40 yard pass left to right
Frozen Horse
Well-known member
Much better than we had when he signed, but back up to GS and Ugo later in his time here.
Fieriness could be his undoing at times.
Fieriness could be his undoing at times.
Mickey_2003
Well-known member
Festa, now there’s a name of one of the most passionate foreigners that joined us and actually was worthwhile. I am sure it was Kev Phillips he had tussles with. He was a great fit for us, absolute solid unit. Him and Pearson together would‘ve been as solid as Southgate and Ugo. I cannot remember if they did play together. I am sure he spent time with Vlad Kinder too.
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Festa on fisticuffs, team-spirit & Addams Family theme
The powerful Italian stopper has been recalling his turbulent spell at the Riverside
www.gazettelive.co.uk
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jonny_greenings_sock
Well-known member
Good defender. I loved him for his passion and no small amount of ability but in truth wouldn’t put him near the top 5 centre backs we’ve had in the last 40 years.
Not as good as Ugo, better than Pogatetz (who was still pretty good at CB), maybe not quite as good as Ayala though a different type of stopper? I’d rate Robert Huth higher and not in the Southgate / Woodgate class.
Great memories though and man, he was tough. We’ve had some brilliant centre backs over the years.
Not as good as Ugo, better than Pogatetz (who was still pretty good at CB), maybe not quite as good as Ayala though a different type of stopper? I’d rate Robert Huth higher and not in the Southgate / Woodgate class.
Great memories though and man, he was tough. We’ve had some brilliant centre backs over the years.
jonny_greenings_sock
Well-known member
Just on a wiki dive and the Inter Milan squad of 1995-1996 contained Paul Ince, Gianluca Festa, Beni Carbone and top scorer Marco Branca.
What a time to be alive as a Boro fan!
What a time to be alive as a Boro fan!
Priv
Well-known member
It was Frank Quedrue who liked to wind up Phillips.Festa, now there’s a name of one of the most passionate foreigners that joined us and actually was worthwhile. I am sure it was Kev Phillips he had tussles with. He was a great fit for us, absolute solid unit. Him and Pearson together would‘ve been as solid as Southgate and Ugo. I cannot remember if they did play together. I am sure he spent time with Vlad Kinder too.
Festa on fisticuffs, team-spirit & Addams Family theme
The powerful Italian stopper has been recalling his turbulent spell at the Riverside
18MFC76
Well-known member
Festa definitely had a run in with Phillips on at least one occasion. He got sent off for spitting at him at the SOL. We won 1-0, Noel Whelan scored.
tonybiriyani
Well-known member
Steve Lomas was the player who had his nose bust by Festa
festa5
Well-known member
He is, unsurprisingly, one of my favourite Boro players.
Breath of fresh air when he arrived. Admittedly the bar was low but came in and just looked so assured. The "panic" we were used to seeing at the back reduced massively.
As others have said hard as nails and could play a bit too. Looked every inch the archetypal Italian centre back.
Think he openly admitted he came for the money but absolutely loved the place by the time he left.
Breath of fresh air when he arrived. Admittedly the bar was low but came in and just looked so assured. The "panic" we were used to seeing at the back reduced massively.
As others have said hard as nails and could play a bit too. Looked every inch the archetypal Italian centre back.
Think he openly admitted he came for the money but absolutely loved the place by the time he left.