But even by that point, he had already shown everyone what he was all about. During the first half, he had been left with blood streaming down his face after being struck by a stray boot. It remains one of the defining images of his career, as there was never any chance of him going off. His head was bandaged up and he promptly returned to the field. It was clear the man was a warrior, fully committed to the cause. He was a different player back then, of course, a powerful left-back who liked to get forward. In truth, though, he neither looked nor played anything like the outrageously elegant Maldini. But Chiellini could never have been characterised as a mere brute.