At the age of 70, Silvio Longobucco has passed away. Born in Scalea in Cosenza, Calabria on 5 June 1951, he played for Juventus from 1971 to 1975, totaling 80 appearances and 1 goal.
A MODERN WINGBACK
Longobucco was a natural left back, and in his first game as a starter wore wore the number 3 shirt. At a time when football was changing, and defenders were expected to push forward, he was at ease in a more advanced role, becoming a modern wingback. Also because other than his athleticism, there was a young man's desire to seize the opportunity and emerge on the biggest stage. His first game as a starter in Serie A in front of the Turin public was Juventus-Vicenza in 1972, a year that brought the first of three league titles in his time at Juventus.
HIS THIRD SEASON
His third season at Juventus, 1973-74, was the one in which he make his greatest contribution. He took to the field 31 times, making 24 appearances in Serie A alone. For the coach Vycpalek Silvio he had become an element to rely on. His experience was sufficient to consider him a consolidated starter in a team that in defence presented the best of Italian football. In the photo above, Silvio with teammate Fernando Viola.
A BIANCONERI REALITY
A concise portrait of Longobucco clearly emerges from the pages of the Hurrà Juventus. In 1974, former player turned journalist Angelo Caroli captured it in the title A Bianconeri Reality. He described a reserved boy, very attached to his local land in Calabria, but with the desire to emerge at Juventus. And when Silvio was asked to introduce himself, he replied as follows, "I am quite stubborn, detached and introverted, but also understanding and affectionate. So I am able to understand situations and men." As for his technical skills, his best qualities are summed up in being "quick and gifted by nature", grateful to his coach, "The coach entrusted me with certain tasks and I put them into practice - I pushed forward, I crossed as instructed, and my teammates scored a good few goals thanks to me."
In the photo above, Silvio leaves the field after Juventus-Inter in the company of Fabio Capello.