Editing Zbigniew Boniek (section)

==Style of play==
Although Boniek was usually deployed as a [[midfielder]], he was also able to play as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. He preferred to operate between the lines in a free role, although he was a versatile player, capable of playing in several offensive and midfield positions on either flank or through the centre, and throughout his career he was deployed as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]], as a [[Midfielder#Winger|right winger]], in a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role as a [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central midfielder]], as a [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]], or as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|second striker]]; his Juventus manager, [[Giovanni Trapattoni]], however, often struggled to find the most suitable position for him.

Boniek was known for his extroverted personality and his trademark moustache, which made him a highly recognisable player. A tall, brave and hard-working footballer with a large, powerful, and slender physique, he was known for his blistering pace, acceleration, and quick reactions. In particular, Boniek was highly regarded for his ability to make sudden attacking runs to beat the defensive line and get on the end of his teammates' long passes, especially those of [[Michel Platini]], with whom he formed a close friendship and formidable partnership at the Turin club, which made him lethal on counterattacks; this prompted [[Diego Maradona]] to describe Boniek as “one of the finest players of their generation.”<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.worldsoccer.com/best-of-ws/diego-maradona-you-will-never-find-me-saying-im-the-best-411131 |title= Diego Maradona: "You will never find me saying I'm the best" |publisher=World Soccer|date=22 January 2021|access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref>

A highly talented, creative, intelligent, and skilful footballer, he was one of the best [[Dribbling#Association football|dribblers]] of his time and also displayed superb technique, flair, and class. Although he was not a particularly prolific player, he was known for his eye for goal, and as his clinical finishing with either foot, as well as his head, which enabled him to maintain a consistent goalscoring rate throughout his career; he also earned a reputation for having the tendency to score decisive goals for his team in key matches.

Despite his ability, at times he was also criticised, however, for being tactically undisciplined, inconsistent, too static in his movements off the ball, and for not being involved enough in his team's play during matches, which led him to struggle against opponents who did not give him a lot of space.<ref name="tuttojuve">{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttojuve.com/gli-eroi-bianconeri/gli-eroi-in-bianconero-zbigniew-boniek-359493|title=Gli eroi in bianconero: Zbigniew BONIEK|publisher=Tutto Juve|language=it|author1=Stefano Bedeschi|date=3 March 2017|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="bello di notte"/><ref name="storiedicalcio"/><ref name="fifa"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-08/pope-regretted-not-praying-for-polish-team-player/1548080|title=Pope regretted not praying for Polish team: player|publisher=ABC|date=8 April 2005|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/top-10-goals-spain-82|title=Top 10: Goals of Spain '82|magazine=FourFourTwo|date=2 June 2014|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.espn.com/soccer/story?storyId=266276&wjb=|title=Real warned not to underestimate Juve|publisher=ESPN|author1=Nick Bidwell|date=6 May 2003|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref>

The Juventus president at the time of Boniek's tenure with the club, [[Gianni Agnelli]], nicknamed him ''Bello di notte'' ("Beauty at night", which is a play on the title of the [[Luis Buñuel|Buñuel]] movie ''[[Belle de Jour (film)|Belle de Jour]]'') because of his excellent performances in European club tournament matches, which were played in the evening; indeed, during continental tournaments, his opponents usually allowed him more space and time on the ball than in Serie A, which allowed him to get forward, undertake individual dribbling runs and score goals himself, or drop deep, link up with midfielders and create chances or provide [[Assist (football)|assists]] for his teammates, courtesy of his passing, vision, and clever movement.<ref name="tuttojuve"/><ref name="bello di notte">{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Primo_Piano/2008/10/31/boniek.shtml|title=Zibì Boniek, il bello di notte che fece litigare Roma e Juve|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Giuseppe Bagnati|date=31 October 2008|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="storiedicalcio"/><ref name="fifa"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/zico-perfect-xi|title=Zico: Perfect XI|magazine=FourFourTwo|date=1 November 2005|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref> He was also nicknamed Zibì by the Italian press.<ref name="tuttojuve"/>

Towards the end of his career, as he lost his pace, he often functioned in a defensive role as a [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]].<ref name="fifa"/>