Considering how early I took Roy Keane (which shocked people), I know where you're coming from. I'd have drafted differently had everyone decided to ignore wingers, of course.
Even though in drafts it is better to be strategic, if this was done by a ranking of players instead of a draft, Rivera is probably better than 31st. Spartak, in a draft situation, who would you have taken instead of Rivera and if you were ranking players, who would you rate higher?
I can't remember all the players who were selected after him. But I was perfectly happy with the midfield I settled on: ----------------------Vieira ----------Liedholm--------------V. Mazzola ----------------------Sivori All those players I got after Rivera was selected plus I got the best right back in the draft by passing on Rivera. I definately would have taken Valentino Mazzola over Rivera if I had to make that choice. However, as my trequarista I probably would take Rivera over Sivori. But all these players are so close it's hard to go wrong with any of them.
Aside from V Mazzola's goalscoring abilities, what would be some other reasons for picking Valentino instead of Gianni?
Well, his leadership skills are second to none. Plus he was a more all-around footballer. He could easily fit into any system since he could tackle as well as create opportunities. But both Rivera and Valentino would be on my all-time Azzurri eleven.
Great thread this was. I do recall that quite a few great Italians didn't get picked though such as Paolo Rossi (he's not all about WC 82), Silvio Piola, Giuseppe Meazza and Giancarlo Antognoni.
I think Giancarlo Antognoni was drafted. I am not surprised with Rossi, Piola and Meazza. Both Piola and Meazza were too old for us to have seen them in action.
Other players from that era were drafted and one can argue that the ones drafted were lesser players.
There's going to be a new All-Time Draft similar to this one - here's the sign-up thread https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1761742