Sacchi, Arrigo (Fusignano, 1/4/46)
The mercurial Milan boss revolutionised Serie A in the late 1980s with his aggressive pressing tactics that brought the Rossoneri titles both at home and in Europe. It saw him lifted to the Nazionale but, although he took the Azzurri to the World Cup Final at USA 1994, he never quite reproduced the same magic as he had at club level. Managerial spells followed at Milan, Parma and Atletico Madrid as well as director of football with Real Madrid, but he never enjoyed the same success again.
Sala, Claudio (Macherio, 8/9/47)
An attacking midfielder and wide man with a golden touch, he was an essential element of Torino’s last League title-winning side back in the 1970s. Over 10 years with the Granata, he wrote his name large in their legend and was capped 18 times for his country.
Salas, Marcelo (Temuco, Chile, 24/12/74)
The top scorer in Lazio’s 2000 Scudetto win, he moved on to Juventus but never quite hit the same heights as he did over three seasons in the capital, where El Matador was a resounding hit. He is also the Chilean national team’s record scorer.
SALERNITANA (Founded: 1919. Stadio Arechi - Capacity 37,500)
Two seasons in Serie A – with an almost 50-year gap in between – gives you some idea of the impact the boys from Salerno have had in the top flight. Their debut at the highest level came in 1947, but they disappeared off the football map until 1998 when they returned for one more term. Another club to have hit financial hardship and by 2006 they were fighting it out in the lower reaches of the Italian game once again.
Salvadore, Sandro (Milan, 29/11/39)
Able to play right across the back line, he kicked off his career with Milan before moving to Juventus where he added four more Scudetti to the one he had already gathered with the Rossoneri. A commanding figure at the back, Salvadore was also capped by his country on 36 occasions and was part of the 1968 European Championship winning side.
SAMPDORIA (Founded: 1946. Stadio “Luigi Ferraris” - Capacity: 43,868)
Formed by the fusion between Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria, this Genoese giant was immediately pitched into the fray in Serie A. The early days were more than respectable and paved the way to their European debut in the 1962 UEFA Cup. But after that shakier times followed, with a drop into Serie B and some dark days in the 1970s. It was not until 1979 - and the arrival of new owner Paolo Mantovani - that Samp finally turned the corner and soared back into Serie A and installed the Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli tandem at the head of their attack. It led to a memorable time when Doria won the Scudetto in 1991, European Cup-Winners Cup in 1990 and the Coppa Italia twice – 1988 and 1989. The year after their Championship success, the Blucerchiati came within a whisker of winning the European Cup, losing out to Barcelona in the Final, before entering a slow decline. It culminated with another drop into the Second Division in 2000, but they bounced back under new ownership and have quickly re-established themselves as a top-half team in Serie A.
Samuel, Walter (Firmat, Argentina, 22/3/78)
The burly Argentine first darkened Italian doors at Roma in 2000, where he stormed in from Boca Juniors and helped his new team muscle their way to the Scudetto that same season. He stayed for four rock-solid campaigns before taking a year out at Real Madrid and then returning to Inter last summer.
Sansone, Raffaele (Montevideo, Uruguay, 20/9/10)
A four-times Scudetto winner with Bologna, this right-sided midfielder was renowned for his speed of thought and caught the eye of Italian Coach Vittorio Pozzo, who capped him three times for his adopted nation.
Sarti, Giuliano (Castel d’Argile, 2/10/33)
This cool ‘keeper was an instant hit at Fiorentina, where he helped them to their famous first Scudetto in 1956 and the European Cup-Winners Cup five years later. After nine seasons with the Viola, his error-free net minding attracted Inter’s attention and he went on to grab two League titles, two European Cups and a couple of World Club Cups with the Nerazzurri.
Savicevic, Dejan (Titograd, Yugoslavia, 15/9/66)
Il Genio – The Genius – played relatively few games with Milan over his six seasons in the 1990s, but almost all of his matches were memorable. He helped win three championships, but his finest hour came with an outrageous lob that helped annihilate Barcelona in the 1994 European Cup Final.
Schiaffino, Juan Alberto (Montevideo, Uruguay, 28/7/25. Died 2002)
This amazing left-sided midfielder had two footballing ‘lives’. The first was played out at home with Penarol where he spent nine years and played in two World Cups for Uruguay, winning one of them. The second came in Italy where he helped Milan to three titles and appeared in another World Cup, this time for Italy.
Schiavio, Angelo (Bologna, 15/10/05. Died 1990)
As well as scoring Italy’s World Cup winning goal in 1934, this fast, brave striker was to write his name large in Bologna folklore with more than 200 goals in Serie A. That helped to take the Rossoblu to no fewer than four League titles during his time with his hometown club between 1922 and 1938.
Schillaci, Salvatore (Palermo, 1/12/64)
His brilliant bug-eyes will forever be remembered as a symbol of the Azzurri’s nearly-men of Italia ’90, where he finished the tournament as top scorer. It was the peak of a mercurial rise and fall for the little hitman, who barely more than a year before had been playing with Messina in Serie B. He shot up to Juventus and enjoyed a great first season which was capped by his World Cup heroics. But things never quite got back together and after a move to Inter he went to seek his fortune in Japan with Jubilo Iwata.
Schnellinger, Karl-Heinz (Duren, Germany, 31/3/39)
A full-back who switched to sweeper, he won the hearts of Milan fans as part of their great team at the end of the 1960s which won the League, European Cup and World Club Cup. In total he played over 200 Serie A games for the Rossoneri and was a stalwart of his national team throughout the 1960s.
Scirea, Gaetano (Cernusco sul Naviglio, 25/5/53. Died 1989)
An impeccable and stylish sweeper, he was at the heart of the great Juventus side which ruled Italy throughout the 1970s. A couple of seasons with Atalanta were enough to convince the Bianconeri that he was their man and his switch in 1974 brought about unprecedented success – seven Scudetti, all three major European trophies, a World Club Cup and the World Cup with his country in 1982. His timing and reading of the game was second to none and he seemed destined for a long career in the Juve backroom staff until he tragically died in a road accident in Poland while on a scouting mission for the club.
Seedorf, Clarence (Paramaribo, Surinam, 1/4/76)
A strong and skilful midfield man, he made his first impact on Serie A as a teenager with Sampdoria. He was to return to Italy with Inter and enjoyed three decent seasons before switching to Milan where he really made the leap forward, winning the Champions League – to add to previous victories with Real Madrid and Ajax – and the Scudetto. The Dutchman made history as the first player ever to lift that European trophy with three different clubs.
Sensini, Nestor (Arroyo Seco, Argentina, 12/10/66)
Few would have thought when he landed in Italy with Udinese in 1989 that he would be back playing with the same club some 17 years later. In between he was a loyal servant in defence and midfield for Parma and Lazio, enjoying his sole Scudetto success with the capital club in 2000. By now he is fast approaching his 400th top-flight appearance.
Serantoni, Pietro (Venice, 16/11/06. Died 1964)
A hard-working team player on the right side of midfield or covering in front of the defence, he helped Italy to the World Cup in 1938 and won a couple of Scudetti – one with Inter and the other with Juve.
Serena, Aldo (Montebelluna, 25/6/60)
This big hitman holds the rare distinction of having played on both sides of the Turin and Milan derbies during his career. He came to the fore when helping Juve to the Scudetto in 1986, but his finest hour was a 22-goal season in helping Inter take their last Serie A title in 1989.
Serginho (Nilopolis, Brazil, 27/6/71)
This flying wing-back joined Milan in 1999 from Sao Paulo and has mixed brilliance with the disappointing ever since. A great dribbler and crosser of the ball, he occasionally drifts out of games making his impact less than it should be. Still, he has helped the club win the Scudetto and Champions League during his spell with the Rossoneri.
Shevchenko, Andriy (Dvirkivshchyna, Ukraine, 29/9/76)
A true goal-machine, he powered his way past 100 Serie A goals in just six seasons with Milan. Snapped up from Dynamo Kiev, he immediately settled in with a 24-goal season that announced him as one of the great strikers on the world stage. A bad facial injury has been the only thing that hampered him since as he has fired the Rossoneri to a League title and Champions League victory during his time with them. And he will take his country to the World Cup this summer for the first time.
SIENA (Founded: 1904. Stadio Artemio Franchi - Capacity 15,725)
After almost a century of existence the little Tuscan side made it into Serie A for the first time in 2003. It was something of a fairy story for a town more famous for its historical horserace – the Palio – than its football. Nonetheless, they defied the cynics to stay afloat and have managed three consecutive seasons at the top thanks to the talents of the likes of Enrico Chiesa, Rodrigo Taddei and Tore Andre Flo.
Signori, Giuseppe (Alzano Lombardo, 17/2/68)
Sporting only size five feet but a thunderous shot, this little hit man struck goals for fun throughout the 1990s. Initially he found fame with Zdenek Zeman’s Foggia side but it was at Lazio where he enjoyed his greatest success, including a 26-goal term in 1992-93. On the fringes of Italy’s World Cup expedition to USA ‘94, he enjoyed a late renaissance with Bologna that allowed him to take his Serie A total tally to 188 – just short of the 200 he had long aspired to.
Simeone, Diego (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 28/4/70)
This uncompromising midfielder had two successful spells in Italy. First he stuck with unfashionable Pisa even when they dropped into Serie B. Then he returned after a spell in Spain to play a couple of seasons with Inter and three with Lazio, including their Scudetto year of 2000.
Simone, Marco (Castellanza, 7/1/69)
Milan snapped up the little striker in 1989 but it was not until five seasons later that he delivered a significant goal haul. During his time at the club they won four League titles, a couple of European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup crown. By 1997 he sought his fortune abroad with Paris St Germain and then Monaco, where he bagged 21 goals in his first season. But then the goals dried up and he was unable to ever quite make the impact his talents surely deserved.
Sivori, Omar (San Nicolas, Argentina, 2/10/35. Died 2005)
A temperamental genius who possibly prepared Italy for the excesses of his countryman Diego Maradona about 30 years later. He signed for Juve for a then record fee of £93,000 in 1957 and was an immediate hit. An immensely gifted attacking midfielder or front man, his dribbling skills and scoring class saw him win three Scudetti with the Bianconeri. El Cabezon – The Bighead – struck an incredible 134 goals in 215 Serie A games for the club during which time he also picked up some lengthy suspensions. His Italian ancestors saw him play nine times for Italy, scoring eight goals. Finished his career with Napoli between 1965 and 1969.
Skoglund, Lennart ‘Nacka’ (Stockholm, Sweden, 24/12/29. Died 1975)
The skilful Swedish left-winger was an integral part of Inter’s Scudetto winning sides of 1953 and 1954. In total he played nine seasons with the Nerazzurri before moving on to Sampdoria and Palermo and then ending his career back home with Hammarby. His great generosity saw him die in poverty at the age of just 45.
Sormani, Angelo (Jau, Brazil, 3/7/39)
A rightful resident in the Milan hall of fame, he reached the Rossoneri via Mantova, Sampdoria and Roma. Over five seasons he won the Scudetto, European Cup and World Club Cup, and was a key player in all three performances. The front man went on to conclude his playing days with Napoli, Fiorentina and finally Vicenza, bringing to an end 15 great years in Italy.
Souness, Graeme (Edinburgh, Scotland, 6/5/53)
The rugged midfielder won trophies galore during a golden age at Liverpool before coming to Serie A with Sampdoria in 1984 for a couple of seasons. Paved the way for Samp’s great Scudetto side and helped himself to an Italian Cup before joining Glasgow Rangers as player – then manager – and winning countless trophies again. Recently sacked as Newcastle boss.
SPAL (Founded: 1907. Stadio Paolo Mazza - Capacity 19,000)
The 1950s and 1960s were the glory days for the boys from Ferrara as they totalled an impressive 16 seasons in Serie A. Their best-ever finish was a more than creditable joint fifth in 1960. Their hero of the era was Oscar Massei, who totalled 244 games and 52 goals for the unfancied side. They dropped out of the top flight in 1968 never to return and have struggled since. Financial collapse has seen them tumble down to Serie C2.
Spinosi, Luciano (Rome, 9/5/50)
An unsung Juventus hero as full-back and central defender, he kicked off his career at Roma but the switch to Juve in 1970 brought him five Scudetti and a UEFA Cup. Ended his career with spells at Verona, Milan and Cesena.
Stankovic, Dejan (Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 11/9/78)
Another brilliant product of Red Star Belgrade, he was brought to Italy by Lazio in 1998 and helped them to the title a couple of years later. His attacking instincts from wide midfield were vital and it was no surprise when he followed Roberto Mancini to Inter in 2004 to push for that elusive Scudetto there.
Suarez, Luis (La Coruna, Spain, 2/5/35)
An instrumental midfielder in Inter’s greatest era. Signed in 1961 from Barcelona for a then record £142,000, he played over 250 Serie A games and won three Scudetti, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. He was the man who made the Nerazzurri tick, providing the ammunition for the front men to put away. Finished his playing days with Sampdoria and went on to management with spells at Inter which failed to recreate the old magic. Also managed his country in the late 1980s.
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