Cabrini, Antonio (Cremona, 8/10/57)
Another in a long line of great Italian attacking full-backs, Cabrini won every honour in the game over 13 years at Juventus. Six championships, all three European trophies and the World Club Cup came in the 1970s and 1980s. Cabrini was also a World Cup winner in 1982.
Cafu, Marcos (San Paolo, Brazil, 7/6/70)
A flying full-back, nicknamed Il Pendolino - The Express Train. He joined Roma in 1997 and helped them to the title five years later. Many thought his best days were over but Milan had other ideas and the World Cup winner helped himself to another Scudetto with the Rossoneri in 2004.
CAGLIARI (Founded: 1920. Stadium: Sant’Elia, Capacity: 41,885)
For many seasons the club dwelled in Italy’s lower Divisions until an historic promotion to Serie A in 1964 began a momentous era. An impressive sixth place finish in their first season at the top marked their arrival and that of an outstanding young goalscorer, Luigi Riva. Their two histories are linked closely as Riva’s rise emulated that of Cagliari under Coach Manlio Scopigno. Second to Fiorentina in 1969, they went one better in 1970 to get their first and only Scudetto. When Riva retired in 1976 it led to relegation and although they returned for a spell in the late 1970s and early ‘80s it did not last long. But the tale had a happy ending since back-to-back promotions took the club back into Serie A in 1990. They even had a good UEFA Cup run which took them to the semi-finals in 1993-94. The club dropped down again before Sardinian boy Gianfranco Zola made a triumphant return to win them promotion once more in 2004.
Camoranesi, Mauro (Tandil, Argentina, 4/10/76)
This tricky midfielder first made his mark in Italy with Verona before joining Juventus. His impact was so immediate that he was catapulted into the Italian national team, thanks to his Italian grandfather, making him one of only a few modern day oriundi.
Capello, Fabio (Pieris, 18/6/46)
Only a handful of people have made as big an impact as both a player and a Coach. As a player he made his mark during six good years with Juventus and four seasons at Milan. He won three championships with Juve and one with the Rossoneri and also won 32 caps for Italy, scoring eight goals. As manager at Milan his three consecutive League titles soon proved his doubters wrong, as did some stunning success in Europe. He confirmed his credentials with titles at Real Madrid and Roma before taking on the challenge of Juventus.
CASALE (Founded: 1909. Stadium: Natale Palli, Capacity: 8,000)
Apart from their distinctive colours, black shirts with a white star, this team from near Alessandria also boasts a championship win to their credit. It came back in 1914 with a side that contained a few elements of the Italian team. By far their most famous son is Umberto Caligaris who transferred to Juventus to find fame and fortune in the 1930s. The club was in the top flight until his departure but after that they slumped off the face of the Serie A map never to return as all the provincial clubs struggled to compete with the big guns.
CATANIA (Founded: 1946. Stadium: Angelo Massimino, Capacity: 21,000)
Their best years came from 1960 to 1966 when they enjoyed a prolonged run in the top flight and were eighth in Serie A on three occasions (1961, ‘64 and ‘65). Financial difficulties hit the club in 1993 and forced their historic red and blue colours into interregional football but they reformed to climb back to Serie B by the 2004-05 season.
Causio, Franco (Lecce, 1/2/49)
Il Barone - The Baron - was the inspiration behind many of Juve’s great successes of the 1970s. A gifted dribbler with outstanding touch and crossing ability he formed a partnership with Roberto Bettega that was the scourge of defences for both club and country. He ended his Serie A career at the age of 37 and it was a mark of the debt which Enzo Bearzot felt he owed him that he gave the moustachioed wonder a run out in the World Cup Final of 1982.
Cesarini, Renato (Senigallia, Argentina, 14/4/06)
A goal scored late in a game is still said to be struck in Zona Cesarini - the Cesarini zone - thanks to a 90th minute winner struck by this Italo-Argentine in the Italy-Hungary match of 1931.
Cevenini, Luigi (Milan, 13/3/1895)
The most famous of five footballing brothers, this left-sided midfielder was a goalscoring legend with Inter in the years before and after the First World War. A powerful shot ensured him a stunning ratio of 163 goals in 188 games for the Nerazzurri. ‘Zizi’ also played no fewer than 29 times for his country with a record of 11 goals.
Charles, John (Swansea, Wales, 24/12/31 - Died 2004)
This robust forward and legendary ‘gentle giant’ is still remembered with great affection by Juventus fans. A towering figure in their attack during the late 1950s he was the perfect counterbalance to the temperamental but imaginative Omar Sivori. Charles was a model professional who provided the graft and power that his Argentine colleague could not and struck 93 Serie A goals over five seasons with the Bianconeri.
CHIEVO (Founded: 1929. Stadium: Marcantonio Bentegodi, Capacity: 42,160)
The Flying Donkeys captured the world’s imagination in 2001 when they came from nowhere - actually a suburb of Verona - and stormed into Serie A for the first time. Under Gigi Del Neri they finished fifth and in subsequent seasons began to establish themselves as one of the most important new additions to the top flight. The club adopted their unusual nickname after rival Verona fans had taunted that donkeys would fly before Chievo played in Serie A.
Chinaglia, Giorgio (Carrara, 24/1/47)
Born in Italy but brought up in the Welsh valleys, this aggressive forward was a symbol of Lazio’s only championship win in 1974, when he also finished as Serie A’s top scorer. He played 14 times for Italy scoring four times before finishing off his playing days with a spell in the U.S. with the New York Cosmos.
Combi, Giampiero (Turin, 20/11/1902)
Probably the first goalkeeper to achieve nationwide fame, he was Italy’s stopper throughout the 1920s and had the sense to hang up his gloves after the World Cup win of 1934. A Juve man through and through, he won five championships with the club - four of them consecutively in the 1930s - and played 351 League games for them.
COMO (Founded: 1907. Stadium: Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Capacity: 13,602)
Battlers at regional level for much of their early history, this proud team from northern Italy made their mark in 1949 with a first promotion to Serie A and a sixth place finish the following season. But by 1952 they were packing their bags for a long stay in Serie B and Serie C. It was not until 1975 that they returned to Serie A for a season and then again for a couple of years between 1980 and ‘82. The Como boys finally hit the big time in 1984 with a five-season stretch in Serie A and a Coppa Italia semi-final in 1986 before eventually dropping back down.
Conte, Antonio (Lecce, 31/7/69)
A solid player with his hometown side Conte went on to great honours at Juventus where he won five championships, a Champions’ League and UEFA Cup. Also a steady performer for Italy in midfield.
Conti, Bruno (Nettuno, 13/3/55)
An idol of the Roma faithful for approaching two decades, he was Italy’s star performer in the 1982 World Cup win. Many will recall the goals of Paolo Rossi but it was Conti who supplied the guile, dribbling and precise crosses that unlocked many an opponent’s defence.
Corso, Mario (San Michele Extra, 25/8/41)
An essential element in the Inter side that dominated Italian and world football in the 1960s, this naturally left-footed player was capable of causing all sorts of havoc down his wing. Four times a League winner and twice triumphant in both European Cup and World Club Cup, he tied his colours to the Inter mast from 1958 to 1973.
Costacurta, Alessandro (Orago, 24/4/66)
One hundred percent Milan, this central defender developed into a world-class operator alongside Franco Baresi. He won countless honours with his club and, even when they seemed set to ditch him, he won their faith back with some great performances. Currently still playing for the Rossoneri aged 38.
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