Enrico ALBERTOSI 1968-74
The goalkeeper was the key figure in their title-winning defence, which let in just 11 goals in 30 games that season – two of which were own goals and one a penalty – so that Albertosi kept an astonishing 20 clean sheets. Such a performance proved enough to win him a recall to the Azzurri in place of a certain Dino Zoff. Despite winning another title at Milan, his career concluded in disgrace with a two-year ban for the Totonero betting scandal of 1980.
Eraldo MANCIN 1969-75
Nicknamed ‘The Lucky Charm’ for taking two consecutive League titles at Fiorentina and Cagliari, Mancin was another figure in the Squadra del Scudetto who doubled up in defence and attack. However, he is perhaps most notorious for being one of the only full-backs to score a hat-trick in Serie A in the 4-1 victory over Verona on May 23, 1971.
Pierluigi CERA 1964-73
Ostensibly a midfielder, Coach Manlio Scopigno had to improvise when Giuseppe Tomasini was ruled out for the rest of the season in the memorable 1969-70 campaign. Cera was given the role of Libero protecting the defence and took to it like a duck to water. He went on to prove decisive in the conquest of the Scudetto that year and for the rest of his career switched between positions at both club and international level.
Mario MARTIRADONNA 1962-73
Coach Scopigno called him “the best man-marker never to wear the Italy shirt” and the tough tackler has always remained an enigma for the international scene. Uncompromising and fiercely strong, the defender kept a close eye on the opposition’s star player and was part of the rock solid Scudetto-winning side. Martiradonna made 309 appearances for the club.
Angelo DOMENGHINI 1969-73
Arriving from Inter along with Sergio Gori and Cesare Poli as part of the transfer that took Roberto Boninsegna the other way in 1969, the disciplined right winger found his niche in the system supporting Gigi Riva. He won the Scudetto in his first term in Sardinia, netting eight goals in 30 games, often with his trademark long-range missiles.
Gianfranco MATTEOLI 1990-94
The talented and classy midfielder could attack as well as defend, in his career lifting the Italian Super Cup with Inter. A Sardinian born and bred, Matteoli returned to his homeland towards the end of his career and put his experience to good use, bringing Cagliari to UEFA Cup qualification. A symbol for the side, he has remained at the Stadio Sant’Elia as a technical director.
Mauro ESPOSITO 2001-
The Naples-born wide man can be equally effective on the edge of a four-man midfield or in a trident attack. Gianfranco Zola’s arrival freed him to explore his scoring instincts and his 17 goals in 40 Serie B games were instrumental to their 2004 promotion. Netting 16 in his first ‘real’ top-flight campaign and earning six international caps, Esposito’s career was put on hold in 2006-07 by serious injury.
Enzo FRANCESCOLI 1990-93
Originally a support striker in South America, Francescoli transformed into a creative midfielder when he arrived at Cagliari in the wake of the 1990 World Cup. Although this meant cutting back on his notable goalscoring skills, netting just 17 times in 98 Serie A games, he continued to entertain the crowd and churn out assists. The Uruguayan made it into Pele’s choice of FIFA 100 best players of all time.
Gianfranco ZOLA 2003-05
Although a native of Sardinia, the diminutive genius only wore the island’s most representative shirt towards the end of his career. Already a hero at Napoli, Parma and Chelsea, 37-year-old Zola chose to drop down to Serie B and help the Rossoblu to promotion. Never dull, always inspirational and an example to be followed both on and off the field, he retired in 2005 having secured Cagliari’s safety in the top flight.
Gigi RIVA 1963-76
Nicknamed ‘Rombo di Tuono’ – Clap of Thunder – for the fear he struck into opposition defenders, the Italian international forward had a divine left foot and topped the Capocannoniere charts three times in 1966-67 (18 goals), 1968-69 (20) and 1969-70 (21). Winning their only Scudetto and spending his entire career in Sardinia until a serious injury forced early retirement, no one embodies the term ‘club legend’ quite like Riva.
David SUAZO 1999-
The best player ever to emerge out of Honduras – which admittedly is faint praise – but not when one considers he also holds the all-time club record of 22 goals in the 2005-06 Serie A season, beating even Riva’s tally. The hitman has been most regularly compared to George Weah for his strength and explosive pace, often leaving defenders eating dust and tackling at thin air. Repeatedly linked with top sides, Suazo has kept faith with Cagliari for this [2006-07], his eighth campaign.
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At a time when tacticians were hardline scientists of sport like Helenio Herrera, Scopigno bucked the trend. With his trust in the players to take care of themselves without needing rigorous ritiro schedules and his laid back, plain-speaking style, he earned the respect of his men. Fired following a row with ex-President Enrico Rocca but brought back after a change of ownership, ‘The Philosopher’ went on to win the 1969-70 Scudetto less than two years later. He died in 1993.