Acerbi takes Nesta’s number

By Football Italia staff

Francesco Acerbi has chosen to wear Alessandro Nesta’s old No 13 shirt for the new season, out of admiration for his defensive colleague.

Acerbi is a summer arrival from Genoa and will be one of the possible options open to Max Allegri in 2012-13 to try to replace the void Nesta has left this year, after his departure to the MLS.

In attempting to take the veteran’s place in the team, Acerbi has begun by taking his number, but with respect for what it represents.

“I chose No 13 because, for me, Sandro is the number one,” the 23-year-old told reporters at Milanello today.

“Nesta is my idol as a defender, even if before him it was George Weah, because I started my career as a striker.

“I want to win, my teammates are great professionals - I can only learn from them. I hope to stay here for a long time, not just one year.

“The environment here doesn’t scare me. I have much to learn and improve, I will try to work hard every day.”

Elsewhere, speculation is that Kevin Constant will take Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s old No 11 jersey, with the Swede having been handed the No 10 by Clarence Seedorf earlier in the summer.

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