The veteran Italian is passing the time like the rest of us as we wait for football to eventually resume - and some of that is spent fueling his passion for film.

"I'm a big film fan and I watch a lot of the new releases," Mirante said.

"I like to get recommendations from my friends and teammates about what is worth watching. Right now, with the lockdown, there are group chats where we tell each other what we should be watching.

"There have been a lot of interesting new films recently - although I'm not sure they crack my top five!"

Here are a few of the films Mirante reckons are worth watching during the current lockdown...

La Vita è Bella (‘Life is Beautiful’)

“I saw this one at the cinema, back when it came out. I rewatched it again a few months ago and it struck a chord with me all over again. When you really like a film, sometimes in the second or third watching you come to appreciate it and enjoy it even more. The dialogue comes more into focus, some of the scenes bring additional meaning to them. In this film that’s absolutely the case, and there’s a lot of powerful moments.”

The Shawshank Redemption

“This has to be considered among the greatest films ever – I watched it again, for the first time in a while, last week actually. The finale, where the main character is reunited with his prison mate is amazing – beyond the obvious storyline and message, it is also an amazing tale about friendship.”

The Last Samurai

“I didn’t see this one at the cinema when it came out, but I did buy the DVD. Among the films of that time I think it is one of the best, actually. I have always been intrigued by Japanese culture and I always want to learn more. In this film there is a meeting between East and West, and everything that arises from such distinct cultures.”

The Pursuit of Happyness

“An incredibly touching film, because it follows the story of a man who wants to give his son a better life, despite all the difficulties he faces. The scene where they are forced to sleep in a station bathroom, where the father helps his son imagine there are dinosaurs around, is so powerful and stays with you for a long time.”

Rocky IV

“All of the Rocky films are great – I’m a big fan of the series. But Rocky IV, for professional sportsmen and for everyone else, is just a universal tale. You can’t not love it.

"The training montage before the big fight will get everyone going, it’s inspirational!”