You already know that Italian soccer brings together stars from all over the world. It is this mix that has made Italian soccer known for its attacking excellence, but what about the other side, who are the players that avoid being marked? Among them are the best defenders in Italy today.
In this article, we have gathered the 10 best center-backs currently playing in Italy, reviewing their careers, titles won, skills on the pitch and curiosities that make them soccer references. Check them out!
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Best defenders in Italy: TOP 10 of this season: career, titles and records
Here is a list of the best defenders in Italy today:
- Benjamin Pavard (Internazionale)
- Alessandro Bastoni (Internazionale)
- Bremer (Juventus)
- Danilo (Juventus)
- Federico Gatti (Juventus)
- Beukema (Bologna)
- Giorgio Scalvani(Atalanta)
- Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli)
- Lucumi (Bologna)
- Fikayo Tomori (Milan)
Read on to learn about the career and titles of each of Italy’s top center backs.
Benjamin Pavard (Internazionale)
Benjamin Pavard began his career in French soccer, playing for Lille, where his performances caught the attention of many international clubs. He then moved to German side VfB Stuttgart and soon caught the eye of Bayern Munich, where he played from 2019 to 2023, becoming a four-time Bundesliga champion.
Still at Bayern, Pavard reinforced his reputation as a player who brings defensive solidity to the team, as well as being decisive in attacking moves.
So talented, in 2023 he moved to Italian soccer, signing for traditional club Internazionale, confirming his versatility and defensive quality in the Serie A.
In 2023/24, he was selected for the Italian league team as a center-back, but the player also has great skills as a right-back.
Internazionale honors
- Italian Super Cup: 2023
- Italian Championship – Serie A: 2023-24
2. Alessandro Bastoni (Internazionale).
Another Inter star on the list of the best defenders in Italy today, and no wonder, after all, we are talking about one of the biggest teams in Italy, as well as the reigning Serie A champions.
A youth product of Atalanta, Bastoni was signed by Internazionale in 2017, quickly ascending to the first team and establishing himself as one of the pillars of the defense.
His passing accuracy and tactical intelligence make him one of the best center backs in Italy, essential to the good results of Inter and the Italian national team, with which he won the Eurocup 2020.
Titles with Inter Milan.
- Serie A: 2020-21[12] and 2023-24
- Italian Cup: 2021-22 and 2022-23
- Italian Super Cup: 2021[13], 2022 and 2023
Italian national team titles
- European Championship: 2020
3. Bremer (Juventus)
A representative of Brazilian soccer in the list of the best center-backs in Italy, Bremer began his career at Atletico Mineiro, before signing for Torino, where he stood out in the Serie A for his physical strength and ability in aerial duels.
In 2022 he was signed by Juventus, became a starting center-back and became famous for his defensive power and quality in interceptions.
That same season he was voted in the Serie A Team of the Year, a feat he repeated in 2022/23. In addition, in 2021/22 he was voted best defender in Serie A, making it clear why he is one of the best center backs in Italy.
Titles with Juventus
- Italian Cup: 2023-24
4. Danilo (Juventus)
Another Brazilian and another Juventus name among the best central defenders in Italy today. Danilo began his career in Brazilian soccer playing for America Mineiro and Santos.
After succeeding at Porto, Real Madrid (twice Champions League) and Manchester City (where he won the Premier League twice), the player signed for Juventus.
A super versatile player, the star can play both as a center back and as a center midfielder, which offers a lot of flexibility to the Juventus coach.
Danilo is also known for his tactical intelligence and his ability to get forward, as well as being one of the club’s captains.
Titles won by Juventus
- Italian Championship: 2019-20
- Italian Super Cup: 2020
- Italian Cup: 2020-21 and 2023-24
5. Federico Gatti (Juventus)
Federico Gatti arrived at Juventus in 2022, but he is a veteran of Italian soccer, having started his career in the lower divisions.
The star stood out at Frosinone, catching the attention of Juventus and becoming a promising support for Juve’s defense, being praised for his determination and ability to mark dangerous attackers, ranking among the greatest in the position today.
Titles with Juventus
- Coppa Italia: 2023-24
6. Beukema (Bologna)
Sam Beukema began his career in Holland with AZ Alkmaar, where he drew attention for his ability to anticipate and read the game.
In 2023 he signed for Bologna and has stood out in Serie A for his positional ability, which he brings not only to the defense but also to the aerial movements of the attack.
A lot is expected from him in the coming seasons, so stay tuned!
Read also: How to bet on the Champions League 2024/25?
7. Giorgio Scalvani (Atalanta).
Giorgio Scalvini was part of Atalanta’s thrilling conquest to win the Europa League 2023/24, a historic milestone for the Italian team.
He is one of Atalanta’s and Italian soccer’s most promising youngsters, but he is already one of the fans’ idols, especially since he started his career in the club’s youth academy and was promoted to the senior team at the age of just 17.
Combining technique and defensive security, he is in the sights of big European clubs and is considered one of the jewels of Italian soccer.
Titles with Atalanta
- UEFA Europa League: 2023/24
Read also: Europa League champions: TOP 5 teams, players and countries that have won the most games.
8. Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli)
Alessandro Buongiorno is a promising defender for Napoli. Trained at Torino, the defender stands out for his solidity and good reading of the game, becoming one of the pillars of the backline and an important part of the Neapolitan defensive system.
With his ability in the air and his security on the field, he has become one of the best defenders in Italy today, being cited with honors in the list of best players and in the Serie A squad created after the 2023/24 season.
9. Lucumí (Bologna)
Jhon Lucumí is a Colombian defender who started his career at Deportivo Cali and then moved to Belgian club Genk, where he stood out and caught the attention of Bologna.
Since his arrival in Italy, Lucumí has impressed with his physical strength and defensive consistency, becoming one of the club’s top defensive players.
His ability to anticipate plays and control possession make him one of Italy’s best central defenders, superbly complete and reliable.
10. Fikayo Tomori (Milan)
Canadian, Fikayo Tomori began his career in Chelsea’s youth academy at the age of 8, and in 2016, was included in the first team for the first time.
After a series of loan spells, which included spells at Brighton, Hull City and Derby County, Tomori established himself in the Chelsea first team, before being transferred to AC Milan in 2021.
Since then, he has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Serie A and a key part of the Milan backline.
Tomori is known for his speed, his great reading of the game and his tackling ability, qualities that make him one of the best center backs in Italy.
Milan titles
- Italian League: 2021-22
With this list of Italy’s best centerbacks, it’s clear that the country’s soccer brings together stars from all over the world, making the Serie A one of the most competitive and watched in the world.
If you’re a soccer fan, be sure to watch (and cheer) these stars on the pitch next season.
Keep reading about the Italian league at: 9 The best goalkeepers in Italytoday: teams, titles and careers.
