Italy quartet once joined forces at Cesena

Cesena were unable to avoid relegation from Serie A in 2012, despite having four current Italy internationals on their books at the start of the season.

With a paltry showing of just 22 points after 38 games, the Cavallucci Marini were sent back down to the second tier with a whimper as they finished 20 points adrift of safety.

After Italy’s excellent 2-0 victory over Belgium on Monday, a photograph has been going viral online showing Antonio Candreva, Emanuele Giaccherini, Marco Parolo and Eder linking arms in Cesena’s kit.

However, the club partnership of the quartet was shortlived as players were sold off, and at the end of the season just one of them remained.

Leading the exodus back in 2011 was Giaccherini, whose excellent form earned him a move to Juventus.

A holy trinity of Candreva, Parolo and Eder would persist until the January transfer window, only to be broken up as Cesena looked to desperately save their failing season.

Lazio snapped up Candreva, who was owned by Udinese at the time, and Eder was shown the door after registering just two goals from 17 appearances.

Parolo carried his side for the remaining months, but he too would no longer remain at the club come the start of the next season as Parma saw it fit to purchase him.