Article by Justin Gafiuc – Published Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1:45 p.m. / Updated Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1:46 p.m.
Lamberto Piovanelli, 61 years old, worked with Mircea Lucescu in Pisa in the 1990-1991 season, the first spent by the Romanian coach in Italy. Today he bows to the memory of Il Luce in an interview for GSP and scans the best period of his career, produced under Lucescu's baton.
In Pisa, in his first Italian season, Mircea Lucescu had a thoroughbred offensive scorer: Lamberto Piovanelli. He is the striker who, under the mandate of Il Luce, ticked off a fantastic start in Serie A 1990-1991, enough to propel him to Azeglio Vicini's national team: 8 goals in 12 stages.
However, a terrible injury struck him at the end of 1990, a moment that will send his career into decline. And for Lucescu it would be an irretrievable loss in the attack: he would last only until March 1991, when he “divorced” Pisa due to negative results.
For Piovanelli, however, the period of collaboration with Mircea Lucescu remained a reference. Today, the former scorer of Pisa pays tribute to the memory of the Romanian coach who died on April 7.
Lamberto Piovanelli: “Lucescu was a fundamental person in my career”
Lamberto Piovanelli (left) spent five seasons in the shirt of Pisa
– Signor Piovanelli, how did you receive the news of Mircea Lucescu's death in Italy?
– I was very affected, because Lucescu meant for me an extremely important person, fundamental in my career. Thanks to him I also reached the national team, I was captain in Pisa and I made remarkable progress. I will always carry Mister and his wife in my heart.
– Do you remember the first meeting with Mircea Lucescu in Pisa?
– Of course, a meeting where we discussed football. Mister talked and explained a lot to us. Explain what football means, how to play it simply. I can't forget, then, the meeting in which I was named captain, a moment of great emotion for me. The big regret with Lucescu is that, unfortunately, I got injured and from that moment everything was over for me.
“Physically, I never felt better than during the time with Lucescu”
Piovanelli in Pisa jersey, version from the popular Panini catalogs
– In what way did Lucescu influence the style of play and the way of seeing football?
– He teaches everything with simplicity. Physically, I never felt better than during the time I worked with mister Lucescu. I was running for 90 minutes, but nothing chaotic or tiring, but an intelligent effort. You gave your best on the field in a fair, justified way. I grew a lot with Lucescu on an athletic and mental level, both as a footballer and as a person.
– A special episode from that period?
– I remember a plane trip at the beginning of training, when he described to me what I should do on the field. He explained that I might have a say at a high level. He let me understand that I could achieve something important in my career if I relied on his advice. That's what happened! It was as if he predicted my future, because shortly after that I made it to the national team. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who had the opportunity to be trained by Mircea Lucescu.
Lucescu and President Anconetani (in the middle) in Pisa, in the fall of 1990
When we all went to dinner, President Anconetani wanted us to stay with him telling stories until late. But Lucescu was talking a little, he was thinking about schemes, about the upcoming match, and that couldn't be done there. But there was a special relationship between them
Lamberto Piovanelli, former Pisa striker
“I had hard training, but I could see the results”
Snapshot from a memorable Inter – Pisa 6-3 in the fall of 1990, a tumultuous match from the Mircea Lucescu era. Photo: inter.it
– How was the relationship in the locker room between Lucescu and the players?
– Lucescu was a very demanding guy. He demanded a lot from the player, but also offered a lot in the sense that everyone had a chance to stand out, to help the team. It was listened to in the dressing room, because we realized that everything we did in training was then reflected in the match. And even if we had tiring, hard training, you put in a lot of effort, you saw the results in every game. I ended up scoring 8 goals in 12 games in Serie A and that was great for me. With Lucescu I reached the peak of my career.
– Tell me, please, about a special match you played with Lucescu on the bench?
– I'm thinking of an Inter – Pisa 6-3. Even though we lost, we realized that we are a big team. We had a remarkable game against the strongest team in Serie A. We were 4-1 down at one point, but we kept fighting, listening to Mister's instructions from the sideline and recovered to make it 4-3. We almost equalized. We then unfortunately made two errors which cost us two more goals. But that game showed us that we were at an excellent level.
A reunion years later between Mircea Lucescu and Piovanelli, on the occasion of a visit made by the former Romanian coach to Tuscany
“Football is no longer part of my life. I sell food and wine”
– When was the last time you talked with Mircea Lucescu?
– A few years ago, when he came to Pisa. We met at a charity match. We also took a picture together. Another time we also saw Adriano Bacconi, his physical trainer for many years. I was at the racecourse, at an event, where I had the pleasure of hugging again the trainer to whom I was very attached.
Piovanelli and his wife have a small shop in Pisa where they sell food and wine
– Tell us what you are doing today?
– I have a shop in Pisa with my wife. I sit behind the counter and sell food and wine. I have completely changed my job, football is no longer part of my life. However, the memories with Lucescu remained in a corner of my soul.
CV Lamberto Piovanelli
Date of birth: June 26, 1964, Florence
Post: ATTACKING
He played at Castelfiorentino (1980-1985), Atalanta (1985-1986, 1991-1992), Pisa (1986-1991), Juventus (1991), Verona (1992-1993, 1994-1995), Perugia (1993-1994)
Serie A matches/goals: 97/16
