Ernesto GALLI 1975-81
Second choice to Dino Zoff at Udinese, Galli is fondly remembered for his effective performances, playing without gloves and his array of colourful woollen shirts. He made 133 appearances for the outfit, but his best years were in the 1970s, helping the club into Serie A, before a season on loan at the start of the new decade preceded his final campaign with Vicenza. He briefly coached the team in the late ‘80s and has regularly worked on the backroom staff.
Giovan Battista ZOPPELLETTO 1950-66
‘GioBatta’ made over 200 appearances for the Biancorossi during the 16 years he spent on their books, having joined as an 18-year-old in 1950. Playing on the left of their defence, Zoppelletto formed a fine partnership with Giorgio De Marchi to repel opposition attacks using their combined strength and determination. His fighting spirit ultimately cost him as he suffered two painful injuries – a fractured cheekbone and broken collarbone. He quit football aged 37 and never watched the sport again.
Davide BELOTTI 1995-01
A product of the Inter youth academy, Belotti arrived at Vicenza in 1995 and formed a solid defensive unit alongside Swedish international Joachim Bjorklund and skipper Giovanni Lopez. Strong in the air, he was a valuable member of the team that won the Coppa Italia and made the famous march on Europe. He left the club for Treviso in 2001, but came back for two more spells via AEK Athens and Monza.
Giorgio DE MARCHI 1957-66
With over 200 appearances for Vicenza, De Marchi was a stalwart for the club in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. Joining the team after completing military service, he took up permanent residence in the back four and also weighed in with 10 goals over the course of his career.
Sidney CUNHA 1968-72
The Brazilian midfielder first moved to Italy in 1962 with Modena before spells at Catania and Juventus, where he won the Scudetto in 1967. Moving to Vicenza soon after, the man known as ‘Cinesinho’ – the Little Chinaman – went on to rack up 90 appearances on the wings of the Stadio Romeo Menti. In his latter years his work on the backroom staff at the club helped transform Luca Toni from a midfielder into an attacker.
Domenico DI CARLO 1990-99
Starting the 2007-08 season as Parma boss, Di Carlo spent the best years of his playing career at Vicenza. Joining them in 1990 from Ternana, he remained at the club for the next nine seasons, racking up a total of 266 appearances. He was there from Serie C1 right up to their days in Serie A, as well as winning the Coppa Italia and helping them to the semi-final of the European Cup-Winners Cup. After his playing career he was Coach of the youth team before taking the reins at Mantova in 2004.
Daniele FORTUNATO 1985-87
He may have made just 60 appearances over two seasons at the Romeo Menti, but Fortunato became a legendary figure in the centre of the club’s midfield. Wearing the No 8 shirt, the creative ace helped the Veneto club to promotion from Serie B in 1985-86 before the betting scandal denied the club its step up. Relegation to Serie C a year later meant the talented player’s time in the red and white stripes was cut short prematurely.
Gabriele AMBROSETTI 1996-99 & 01-02
Left-winger Ambrosetti played a pivotal and impressive role in Vicenza’s historic run to the semi-final of the 1997-98 European Cup-Winners Cup. Having spent four seasons with the Berici, and lifting the Coppa Italia, it was this feat that attracted the attention of Chelsea – the side who ended the club’s European adventure. The Blues paid £3.5m for the ‘Italian Ryan Giggs’.
Roberto BAGGIO 1982-85
A Vicenza native, ‘Il Divin Codino’ played the first three seasons of his career for the Biancorossi in Serie C1 after joining them as a 14-year-old nicknamed Zico. In 36 appearances for the side he netted 13 goals and did enough to attract the interest of Fiorentina, as well as help the club win promotion to Serie B in 1984-85.
Paolo ROSSI 1976-79
The World Cup winner joined Vicenza in 1976 and his goals fired the Biancorossi into Serie A. His debut season in the top Division was another success as he netted 24 times to finish as Capocannoniere. His strike rate earned him a place in the Azzurri’s 1978 World Cup squad and the following year the club paid a massive £1.8m to keep him out of the clutches of Juventus, who co-owned him. Sadly, that season ended in relegation and Rossi soon departed.
Romeo MENTI 1935-38
Tragically killed in the Superga air crash in 1949, Menti spent the first three years of his career with his hometown club, playing in the stadium which would one day bear his name. He departed for Fiorentina in 1938, where he spent three seasons before his fateful switch to Torino.
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