Claudio GARELLA 1981-85
An unlikely football hero, Garella was an overweight giant who confounded his critics thanks to his astounding agility and ability to make saves with anything but his hands. The Turin-born ‘keeper was a key figure in Hellas’ transformation from Cadetti mainstays to Scudetto winners, and few Scaligeri fans will ever forget his miraculous double save from Michel Platini and Marco Tardelli in Verona’s vital win over Juve in the title season.
Massimo ODDO 2000-02
Although he only spent two seasons at the Bentegodi, Oddo made a great impression as a cool head during a relegation battle. Not only was he solid at the back and dependable on the ball, the penalty expert also found the net nine times in the Gialloblu jersey.
Hans-Peter BRIEGEL 1984-86
Briegel became a cult figure at the Bentegodi at the heart of the Scudetto winning defence of 1984-85 and was the first foreign-based player to win German Footballer of the Year. A powerful ex-athlete, the stopper represented his country 72 times and played a part in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Briegel, who curiously never wore shin pads, left Verona in 1986 to join Sampdoria and was recently Bahrain national Coach.
Roberto TRICELLA 1979-87
A new breed of sweeper, Tricella had great confidence on the ball and excelled at starting counter-attacks. During his time at Verona, the Gialloblu rose from Serie B to win the Scudetto. A commanding captain, Tricella was so popular at the Benetgodi that his sale to Juventus in 1987 caused mass protests against President Fernando Chiampan.
Thomas BERTHOLD 1987-89
The great German played in three World Cups and two European Championships, but is remembered in Verona for the 52 appearances he made for them between 1987 and 1989. Berthold moved on to Roma after leaving the Bentegodi before returning home to Germany with Bayern Munich.
Pietro FANNA 1982-85 & 1989-93
Regarded as a challenger to Bruno Conti for the title of Italy’s best winger in the 1980s, Fanna delighted the Verona faithful with his mazy dribbling and exquisite dummies. In two spells at the club the bald midfielder played on the right and left wings with equal success. In addition to his Scudetto medal with the Mastini, Fanna won three with Juventus and one at Inter.
Emiliano MASCETTI 1967-73 & 1975-80
Originally a defensive midfielder but with a devastating eye for goal, Mascetti first shone during Verona’s 1967 promotion to Serie A. He holds the Gialloblu’s record for single season goals in Serie A with 35 and made 232 appearances for the club over 11 years. After retiring as a player, Mascetti served as director of sport and helped build the team of 1984.
Damiano TOMMASI 1991-96
One of Italian football’s most loved players, Tommasi started his career with Hellas in Serie B. Solid rather than spectacular, he won the fans’ hearts with his ferocious determination and never say die attitude. After leaving Verona, Tommasi was to become a hero at Roma and cemented that status by overcoming a very serious knee injury while receiving a fraction of his normal salary.
Gianfranco ZIGONI 1972-78
A lively left-winger with an equally lively private life, Zigoni’s well-publicised love of women, fast cars and binge drinking didn’t stop him winning the hearts of the Curva Sud with his memorable performances on the pitch. With pace to spare and pinpoint crossing, the Juve youth product was a prolific provider and earned the nickname ‘Zigo-gol’ despite only scoring 29 times in six seasons.
Preben Larsen ELKJAER 1984-88
Possibly Hellas’ most popular player ever, the Danish striker nicknamed ‘Il Cavallo Pazzo’ – Crazy Horse – didn’t take long to make an impression in Verona. He arrived from Belgian side Lokeren in 1984 and played a crucial role in the Mastini’s Scudetto triumph with eight goals in his maiden season in Italy. Despite being a notoriously heavy smoker, Elkjaer was renowned for his phenomenal work-rate and willingness to chase any ball down.
Adrian MUTU 2000-02
Signed from Inter for just £2.7m, the Romanian marksman was never prolific in the Gialloblu jersey with only 16 goals in over 50 games, but his pace and passion gave life to a side in need of creativity. After two seasons the Mastini doubled their money on Mutu when he joined Parma for over £6m.
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The Milanese tactician is quite simply a hero in Verona. Bagnoli stunned the Italian football world when he led the completely unfancied Gialloblu to Scudetto glory in 1984-85 – the club’s only title to date. After leaving the Bentegodi in 1990, the gifted Coach guided Genoa to a fourth-placed finish before a less successful spell at Inter. 