Error in Casting, Part Nine

1- Luis Fernandez and Racing Club Paris (Matra) 1986/89

French midfielder Luis Fernandez’s transfer from Paris St. Germain to newly promoted cross-town rivals Racing Club Paris made headlines. Much was expected of Fernandez who became one of the most highly paid players as a result.

Unfortunately, Fernandez like the rest of his teammates failed to settle and was badly injured in his third season.

After three disappointing seasons, he was released to join Cannes.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 149, May 1988

(Luis Fernandez at Racing/Matra Paris)

2- Alain Sutter and Bayern Munich 1994/95

Swiss midfielder Alain Sutter had impressed with his displays with the National Team as well Nuremberg in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich signed him in 1994 with high expectations. However, he failed to settle and joined Freiburg, few months into his second season.

Photo From: The Game, Issue 6, september 1995

(Alain Sutter at Bayern Munich, 1994/95)

3- Johnny Bosman and PSV Eindhoven 1990/91

Former Ajax forward joined rivals PSV Eindhoven in 1990 from Belgian side Mechelen along with compatriot Erwin Koeman.
However, his solitary season there was disappointing despite winning the League title, and he jumped at the chance to join his former Ajax and Mechelen Manager Aad De Mos at Anderlecht in 1991.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 43, August 1992

(Johnny Bosman at PSV Eindhoven, 1990/91)

4- Robert Prosinecki and Real Madrid 1991/94 and Barcelona 1995/97

Yugoslavian (and future Croatian) midfielder Robert Prosinecki was one of the most sought after players in Europe in 1991.

He was signed by Real Madrid, however, his stay there was disappointing as he struggled with injuries and failed to impress in three seasons. After a season at Real Oviedo, he joined Barcelona in 1995. His time there was equally disappointing and he joined Sevilla midway through the 1996/97 season.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1992

(Robert Prosinecki at Real Madrid, 1991/92)

Photo From: Don Balon, Edicion Chile, September 3-9, 1996

(Robert Prosinecki at Barcelona)

Photo From: Don Balon-Appendice Extra Liga 9697

(Robert Prosinecki at Barcelona)

5- Alessandro Melli and Sampdoria and AC Milan 1994/95

Italian forward Alessandro Melli was once seen as the bright hope of Italy, while at Parma in the early 90s. However, the arrivals of Gianfranco Zola and Faustino Asprilla limited his opportunities.

To make a fresh start he joined Sampdoria in 1994. However, he failed to find his form there. Midway through the season (1994/95), he was exchanged with Ruud Gullit (who was keen to return to Sampdoria) and joined AC Milan.

Once there, he failed to make the first team and rejoined Parma at the end of the season.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, October 31-November 6, 1990

(Alessandro Melli at Parma, 1990/91)

Short International Careers, Part Three

1- Gérard Buscher

Gérard Buscher was a striker who started out at OGC Nice.

He exploded on the scene during the 1984/85 season, after joining Brest Armorique from Nantes. During this season, he was one of top goalscorers in the League.

He did receive a few call ups, but his actual debut for the French national team was in a friendly vs. Switzerland on August 19, 1986 (0 to 2 loss).

He started the match but was substituted by Bruno Bellone in the 68^th minute.

The following year, after transferring to ambitious Matra Racing Paris, he earned his second and final cap in a friendly vs. West Germany on August 12, 1987 (1 to 2 loss).

In this match he replaced Jean-Pierre Papin in the 55^th minute.

Photo From:  Onze, Issue 112, April 1985

(Gérard Buscher with Brest Armorique, 1984/85)

2- Earl Delisser Barrett

Ear Barrett was a defender who made his name with Manager Joe Royle at Oldham Athletic.

He earned his first cap in England’s Tour of Oceania in the summer of 1991 in a match on June 3, 1991 vs. New Zealand (1 to 0 win).

After being overlooked for two years he earned a recall as an Aston Villa player by taking part in another summer tour. This time in 1993 in United States for the US Cup.

He played on June 13, 1993 vs. Brazil (1 to 1 tie) and on June 19^th vs. Germany (1 to 2 loss).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 37, February 1992

(Earl Barrett, June 3, 1991, New Zealand 0-England 1)

3- Alessandro Melli

Alessandro Melli was part of the exciting Parma squad that had earned promotion to Serie A in 1990. In his first few seasons, many predicted a bright future for him with the Azzurri.

It came as no surprise when Arrigo Sacchi selected him for Italy’s World Cup qualifier vs. Malta on March 24, 1993 ( 6 to 1 win).

He earned his second and final cap a few weeks later on April 14, 1993 in another World Cup qualifier vs. Estonia (2 to 0 win).

The following season he fell out of favor as a starter at Parma after the arrival of Gianfranco Zola.

He never recaptured his old form and as a result did not earn any more caps.

 

                               Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Alessandro Melli)

4- Sebastiano Losada

Sebastiano Losada was a Real Madrid youth product who was on the fringes of the first team, but never really established himself there despite a successful loan spell with RCD Espanol (1987/88).

After leaving Real Madrid, he had two unsuccessful spells for Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

He joined Celta Vigo in 1993 and earned his only cap in a friendly vs. Uruguay on January 18, 1995, when he replaced Juan Antonio Pizzi at halftime.

That was his one and only cap and he retired at the conclusion of that season, aged just 27.

Photo From: Don Balon-Espana-January 23-29, 1995

(Sebastiano Losada, January 18, 1995, Spain 2-Uruguay 2)

5- Abel Resino

Abel Resino was Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper during the Jesus Gil era.

He had his personal best season during the 1990/91 season when he kept a clean sheet in the League from November to March.

He broke the Spanish First Division record as well as Dino Zoff’s record set in 1972-74 for the Italian national team.

He earned his only two caps during this season in Luis Suarez last two matches as Spain Manager.

In both matches he replaced Andoni Zubizaretta and both matches were losses: March 27, 1991 (came on at haltime, Spain 2-Hungary 4, 3 goals conceded by Abel) and April 17, 1991 (came on 84^th minute, Spain 0-Romania 2).

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1991

(Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Abel Resino)