Soccer Memories-Part 43, New Italian Serie ‘A’ Foreign Players 1980/81 and 1981/82.

 

Series looking at the new Foreign player signings in the Serie A in the 1980s and their impact.

 

In the 1980s, the Italian Serie A was on the verge of becoming the most prestigious League in the World. In these early years of the decade, the new foreign player arrivals were less numerous. In 1980, there were eleven new foreigners.

The Austrian midfielder Herbert Prohaska of FK Austria, joined Inter. West German and Koln midfielder Herbert Neumann joined Udinese.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Brady joined Juventus from Arsenal. He had caught their eye in the previous April when Arsenal eliminated Juventus in the Cup Winners Cup.

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Liam Brady)

Dutch defender Michel van de Korput joined Torino from Feyenoord.

The most prestigious of the newcomers was Dutch defender Ruud Krol. The 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finalist had finally left Ajax to join Napoli (after a brief stint at Vancouver Whitecaps).

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Ruud Krol)

1978 World Cup Champion, the Argentine striker Daniel Bertoni joined Fiorentina from Spanish side Sevilla.

His compatriot, the Argentine forward Sergio Elio Angel Fortunato joined Perugia from Estudiantes.

As many as four Brazilians were part of this initial group. Brazilian striker Eneas joined Bologna from Portuguesa. His compatriot and brilliant midfielder Paulo Roberto Falcão joined AS Roma from Internacional Porto Alegre.

Brazilian striker Juary joined Avellino from Mexican side Leones Negros.

Brazilian midfielder Luís Sílvio Danuello joined Pistoiese from Ponte Preta.

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Daniel Bertoni)

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Eneas)

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Juary)

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Paulo Roberto Falcão)

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Luis Silvio Danuello)

From this initial group, Herbert Neumann would not find much success. After one season he would join Bologna and after their relegation, he would return home to Koln in 1982. His arrival itself was somewhat of a surprise as he had only gained one cap for his Nation.

Van de Korput lasted three seasons at Torino, though his club did no better than mid-table placings in this period.

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Herbert Neumann)

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Michel van de Korput)

Ruud Krol was at Napoli for four years. In this first season, Napoli finished third and finished fourth in 1982. Napoli would finish mid-table his last two seasons, but overall, he is considered to have been successful in his time in Italy.

Herbert Prohaska had a successful three years in Italy. In this first season, Inter would finish fourth and would finish fifth in the following season but win the Coppa Italia. He was transferred AS Roma in 1982 to make way for new signing, the West German Hansi Muller. He won the Scudetto at Roma in 1983. He returned home to FK Austria to make way for the new Brazilian signing Toninho Cerezo.

Photo From: 1980-81 Calciatori Panini

(Herbert Prohaska)

Liam Brady would have a successful time in Italy. He celebrated two Scudetti with Juventus in 1981 and 1982. Much to the dismay of many fans, he had to leave Juventus to make way for Michel Platini in 1982. He joined Sampdoria and after two good seasons joined Inter in 1984. After two more seasons he was offloaded to Ascoli towards the end of his career in 1986. However, in midseason 1986/87, he returned to the English League to join West Ham United.

Daniel Bertoni would spend his final seven years in Italy. His spell at Fiorentina was memorable with the runner-up finish in 1981/82. He left in 1984 to join his compatriot at Napoli in the latter’s inaugural year in Serie A. After two seasons, he joined Udinese in 1986 in one last season (1986/87), a season that ended in relegation and Bertoni retired.

Sergio Elio Angel Fortunato jmade only twelve appearances (2 goals) before joining Spanish side Las Palmas in the following season.

Enéas de Camargo had a good start at Bologna but was then disappointing. He managed to score 3 times in 20 matches.

In the beginning of the following season (1980/81), he joined Udinese as an exchange with Herbert Neumann. But left the club before the season even started and returned home to Palmeiras.

Juary played for modest side Avellino for two seasons and scored 13 goals. He joined Internazionale Milano for one season (1982/83) scoring just 2 goals in a disappointing spell. He followed that one season spells at Ascoli (1983/84, 5 goals) and Cremonese (1984/85, 2 goals and relegation). He would leave Italy in 1985 and join Portuguese side Porto. He is remembered for scoring the second goal in the 1987 Champions Cup Final vs. Bayern Munich.

Luis Silvio Danuello had a very disappointing spell at Pistoiese and managed only six appearances. It was said that Pistoiese had signed him in the erroneous belief that he was a striker, where in fact he was a winger. He returned to Ponte Preta in 1981.

The most successful of the 1980 arrivals was Paulo Roberto Falcão at Roma. He would become one of the greatest players in the Serie A of the 80s. AS Roma’s success in the decade owes much to him as they would be Juventus’ closest rivals. He would be instrumental in leading AS Roma to the Scudetto in 1983 and then reaching the Champions Cup Final in 1984. The Roman side also won the Coppa Italia in 1981 and 1984.

 

In 1981/82, the more modest sides made a number of signings. Como signed Austrian defender Hans-Dieter Mirnegg from West German side MSV Duisburg.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Hans-Dieter Mirnegg)

His Austrian compatriot Walter Schachner joined newly promoted Cesena from FK Austria.

Belgium and Club Brugge midfielder Rene Vanderyecken joined newly promoted Genoa.

Romanian forward Viorel Nastase left the relegated West German side TSV Munich 1860 to join Catanzaro.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Viorel Nastase)

Manchester United’s Scottish forward Joe Jordan joined newly promoted AC Milan (back from Serie B after relegation due to Totonero).

The Ivory Coast midfielder François Zahoui became the very first African player in the Serie A by joining Ascoli from Stella Club d'Adjamé.

Brazilian defender Orlando Pereira joined Udinese from Vasco da Gama.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Orlando Pereira)

Although not strictly considered foreign signings, there was the arrival of two San Marino players. Massimo Bonini joined Juventus from newly promoted Cesena.

Teenager Marco Macina also made his debut with Bologna.

Hans-Dieter Mirnegg would suffer relegation with Como and leave after a single season and eleven appearances (joining FC Union Wels).

Rene Vandereycken would be injured at the end of the season and in fact would miss the 1982 World Cup as a result. The following season he would make a handful of appearances and return to Belgium by joining Anderlecht in 1983.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Rene Vandereycken)

Nastase remained at Catanzaro for three seasons He suffered relegation in 1983 and played one more season in Serie B with the club. In three years, he made only thirty-one appearances and scored three goals. He left Italy in 1984 and joined Salzburg.

Zahoui was not successful in Serie A and only made eleven appearances in two seasons. He left Italy in 1983 to join French side Nancy. The next African player to join the Serie A would be the Senegalese Roger Mendy in 1992 (with Pescara).

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(François Zahoui)

Despite relegation with AC Milan in 1982, Joe Jordan remained with AC Milan and helped them get promoted to the Serie A in 1983. He had a final disappointing season at Verona in 1983/84 before returning to England and joining Southampton in 1984.

Orlando Pereira lasted one season at Udinese before returning home to Coritiba in 1982.

The most successful of the 1981 arrivals was Walter Schachner. The Austrian striker remained in the Serie A for seven years until 1988. After Cesena, he joined Torino in 1983 and achieved a second-place finish in 1985. He joined Avellino in 1986 and left in 1988 after the club’s relegation. He returned home to Austria and joined Sturm Graz.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Joe Jordan)

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Walter Schachner)

As far as the San Marino duo, Massimo Bonini was an integral part of Giovanni Trapattoni’s Juventus. He won the Scudetto on multiple occasions and European Cups. He remained with the ‘Bianconeri’ until 1988 before joining Bologna.

Marco Macina was less successful. After this initial season, he bounced from club to club in the lower Divisions. He had one last stint in the Serie A with AC Milan in 1985/86, before once again playing for lower division sides.

Photo From: 1981-82 Calciatori Panini

(Massimo Bonini)

On balance, the most successful Serie A foreign newcomers in the 1980-81 period were Paulo Roberto Falcão, Liam Brady and Walter Schachner due to their longevity.

Special mention for Daniel Bertoni, Ruud Krol and Herbert Prohaska for maintaining their high standards.

Interviews-Part 43

Nine interviews and eleven profiles on 70s Dutch International Robbie Rensenbrink

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 12, December 1976 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1974 / English)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, August 1975 / English)

(Magazine / Language : AS Color, Issue 260, May 11, 1976 / Spanish)

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, July 26-31, 1976 / Dutch)

(Magazine / Language :  Football Magazine, Issue 208, January 1977 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, Old Series, Issue 1, February 1977  / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 15, March 1977 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, Old Series, Issue 3, April 1977 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, Old Series, Issue 4, May 1977 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 24, December 1977 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 19, June 1978 / French)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1678, June 6, 1978 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 21, August 1978 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Onze, Issue 36, December 1978 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 41, May 1979 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, September 8-13, 1980 / Dutch)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1843,  August 4, 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 82, November 1995 / French)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977

(Robbie Rensenbrink)

Robbie Rensenbrink Interviews /Profiles

Three interviews and three profiles on 1970s and 1980s Yugoslavia star Ivica Surjak

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1759, December 25, 1979 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 68, August 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, new series, issue 18, September 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1862, December 15, 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 75, March 1982 / French)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 18, September 1981

(Ivica Surjak at Paris St. Germain)

Ivica Surjak Interviews /Profiles

Five interviews and nine profiles on 1970s and 1980s Republic of Ireland star Liam Brady

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 37, December 1979 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 39, February 1980 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Football Monthly, August 1980 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, New series, issue 7, October 1980  / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Onze, Issue 60, December 1980  / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Mondial, New series, issue 11, February 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, July 1981 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 70, October 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, March 1982 / English)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1975, February 14, 1984  / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, January 1987 / English)

(Magazine / Language :  Mondial, new series, issue 98, May 1988 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Scottish Football Today, January 1994 / English)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1975, February 14, 1984 

(Liam Brady at Sampdoria, 1983/84)

Liam Brady Interviews /Profiles

Nine interviews and six profiles on 90s and 2000s Italian striker Christian Vieri

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 100, May 1997 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Football Italia, May 1997  / English)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1997   / English)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, November 1998   / English)

(Magazine / Language : Calcio 2000, Issue 13, November 1998 / Italian)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 123, April 1999 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, November 1999  / English)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 130, November 1999 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 149, June 2001 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, March 2002  / English)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 159, April 2002 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 160, May 2002 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Onze-Mondial, Issue 161, June 2002 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  Onze-Mondial, Issue 163, August 2002 / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, February 2006  / English)

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1998  

(Christian Vieri at Lazio, 1998/99)

Christian Vieri Interviews /Profiles

The Best Players to never appear in a World Cup, Part three

1- Liam Brady

Republic of Ireland midfielder was considered one of the best in Europe and had along spell in the Serie A with Juventus, Sampdoria and Inter.

Unfortunately, during this period, the Irish always missed out on Tournaments.

By the time they started qualifying regularly under Jackie Charlton, Brady was near the tail end of his career.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981

(Liam Brady at Juventus)

2- Faas Wilkes

Faas Wilkes is considered one of Holland’s first Football heroes in an era where Dutch Football was still not Professional.

He had a spell in Italy in the 1950s with Internazionale Milano and Torino.

However, the national was two decades away from making an impact on the World stage and missed out on qualification during his playing days.

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Faas Wilkes shaking hands with a Swiss opponent, May 19, 1955, Holland 4-Switzerland 1)

3- Jari Litmanen

Jari Litmanen is perhaps the most successful Finnish player that made an impact in the European stage. He was part of Louis van Gaal’s Ajax Amsterdam side that won the Champions League in 1995. He had spells at giants Barcelona and Liverpool as well.

Unfortunatelty, the Finns have yet to qualify for any finals thus far.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 56, September 1993

(Jari Litmanen, May 14, 1992, World Cup Qualifier, Finland 0-Bulgaria 3)

4- Carlos Bianchi

Argentina goleador made his name in the 1970s. He left and joined the French league in the 1970s and despite breaking goalscoring records and finishing top goalscorer on five occasions, he was not called up again for national team duty.

He suffered the fate of many South Americans of the time, who would be overlooked by selectors, once they were on away soil.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 29, May 1978

(Carlos Bianchi at Paris St. Germain, 197/78)

5- Rui Jordao

Portugal’s Rui Jordao was a star in the 1970s with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in the 1980s and also had a spell at Real Zaragoza (1976/77).

He is mostly remembered for his two goal display vs. France during the 1984 Euros (June 23, 1984, France 3-Portugal 2).

Portugal did not qualify for any World Cups in his prime in the 1970s.

Unfortunately, much like compatriot Fernando Chalana, he was considered too old and out of international reckoning by the 1986 World Cup.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 53, August 1984

(Rui Jordao and Jean-Marc Ferreri, June 23, 1984, European Championship, France 3-Portugal 2)

Events and Consequences, Part Six

1- Event:

The wife and children of Argentinean defender Oswaldo Piazza involved in a car accident on April 8, 1978.

Consequence:

On April 6, 1978, Oswaldo Piazza arrived in Argentina after his French club Saint Etienne had granted his request to join Argentina training camp in time to be included for the World Cup Finals squad.

Two days later, due to the accident he had to go back to France.

He missed out on the chance to become a World Cup Champion on home soil.

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 25, December 1978

(Oswaldo Piazza with Saint Etienne, 1978)

2- Event:

The Falklands War between Great Britain and Argentina in the spring of 1982.

Consequence:

The disastrous tour of South America by the Republic of Ireland national Team.

The Republic of Ireland had arranged a match vs. Argentina and initially the FAI had no objections to the match, however political pressure and the refusal of many English clubs (as well as the players themselves) to release their Irish Internationals forced the FAI to drop the match.

The tour still went ahead, but only 15 players were available as the English based players had left on tours of their own with their respective clubs and the League of Ireland squad was touring New Zealand around the same time.

With a weakened side, Ireland succumbed to defeats to Chile (0 to 1) on May 21, 1982 and a heavy loss to Brazil (0 to 7) on May 27, 1982.

To make matters worse the money owed to the players at the start of the tour had still not been paid.

The mood within the camp was so negative that Liam Brady threatened to leave and return to Italy after the Brazil match.

In fact he initially stayed in Brazil to return home, while the rest of the squad traveled to Trinidad.

Assistant manager Terry Conroy had to stay behind to convince Brady to change his mind.

Ireland Manager Eion Hand threatened to resign unless the players were fully paid which was eventually done.

A third match was hastily arranged vs. Trinidad and Tobago on May 30^th, but a dejected Ireland lost that match as well (1 to 2).

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981

(Juventus based Liam Brady, one of the only top level Ireland players available for the disappointing South American tour of 1982)

3- Event:

Allan Simonsen’s injury collision with France’s Yvon Le Roux on June 12, 1984.

Consequence:

Allan Simonsen had been Denmark’s most famous player in the Seventies due to his exploits with Borussia Moenchengladbach and had even been France Football’s European Player of the year in 1977 and later joined Barcelona.

Due to the fact that Denmark was still not a footballing power his achievements had mainly been at the club level.

Now nearing the end of his career he got an unexpected chance to appear in a major Finals Tournament with his National team when a new generation of Danish stars plus Simonsen qualified to the UEFA European Championships in 1984. However, during the very first match vs. France on June 12, 1984 (1 to 0 France win), he was seriously injured in a collision with French defender Yvon Le Roux and missed the rest of the tournament.

In fact he was out injured for many months and once back was never the same player. He was included in Denmark’s 1986 World Cup Finals squad but in a peripheral role and retired shortly afterwards.

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1984

(Allan Simonsen and Yvon Le Roux after the collision, June 12, 1984, European Championships, France 1-Denmark 0 )

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, June 20-26, 1984

(Allan Simonsen being stretchered off, June 12, 1984, European Championships, France 1-Denmark 0 )

4- Event:

France National team tying (one to one) with Cyprus in a World Cup Qualifier on October 22, 1988.

Consequence:

With World Cup Qualification in jeopardy with the accompanying loss of revenue, Bordeaux President Claude Bez, convinced French Federation President Jean Fournet-Fayard to replace Manager Henri Michel with former star Michel Platini.

Henri Michel was dismissed on November 1, 1988.

Michel Platini, with no coaching experience, had only retired as a player about a year before.

Gérard Houllier was also named as his assistant.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 105, november december 1988

(Michel Platini’s first press conference as National Team Manager on November 3, 1988, left to right: Assistant Coach Gérard Houllier, Michel Platini, Federation President Jean Fournet-Fayard, Bordeaux President Claude Bez)

5- Event:

Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas (‘El Condor’) feigning an injury during a World Cup Qualifier vs. Brazil on September 3, 1989 that Brazil was winning one to zero.

This led the Chile squad to walkout during the match.

Consequence:

During the match a firecracker from the stands landed near Rojas. Rojas immediately fell down and held his face as if the object hit him.

His teammates came near him, as did the team doctor. As he was being ‘treated’, the doctor poured Mercurochrome on him to give the impression that the object had bloodied him.

Clearly the purpose was to fake an injury to have the result overturned in Chile’s favor.

The Chilean players carried Rojas out and refused to play and walked out.

After a few minutes the referee ended the match.

Photos clearly revealed the trickery and Chile and Rojas were punished.

On December 8, 1989, FIFA handed out the sentences for Chile’s walkout.

Chile was to be excluded from the 1994 World Cup.

International bans were handed out against Chile Coach Orlando Aravena and player Fernando Astengo for leading the team out of pitch.

Roberto Rojas was banned for life for his trickery attempt by feigning injury.

Incidentally, it was former Brazilian Manager Tele Santana that gave a lifeline to Rojas’ tattered career by appointing him as São Paulo Futebol Clube’s goalkeeping coach in 1994.

The person who threw the firecracker was 23-year-old Rosemary Mello. She later posed for the Brazilian Edition of Playboy to pay the fine.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 71, December 1994

(The instant of firecracker landing near Rojas)

Photo From: Foot Magazine, October 1989

(Photos that appeared at Brazil’s Placar Magazine, showing the trickery)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 25, December 1999

(Rojas holding his face in apparent pain)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2265, September 5, 1989

(Chilean players carrying out Rojas)