Giovanni Viola

Giovanni Viola (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni viˈɔːla; ˈvjɔː-]; 20 June 1926 – 7 July 2008) was an Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Although he represented several Italian clubs throughout his career, he is mostly remembered for his successful stint with Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

Giovanni Viola
Viola with Italian national team in 1956
Personal information
Date of birth (1926-06-20)20 June 1926[1]
Place of birth San Benigno Canavese,[1] Italy
Date of death 7 July 2008(2008-07-07) (aged 82)[2]
Place of death Turin,[2] Italy
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1945–1958 Juventus 245 (0)
1946–1947 → Carrarese (loan) 33 (0)
1947–1948 → Como (loan) 33 (0)
1948–1949 → Lucchese (loan) 33 (0)
1958–1959 Brescia 27 (0)
Total 371 (0)
National team
1954–1956 Italy 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

During his club career, Viola played for Italian side Juventus from 1945 to 1958.[3] He was brought in as a replacement for Lucidio Sentimenti (IV), and made 246 appearances for the Turin club, winning the Scudetto on three occasions: in 1950, 1952 and 1958.[2][4][5] He also played for Carrarese, Como, Lucchese, and Brescia.[3]

International career

At international level, Viola also played 11 matches for the Italian national team between 1954 and 1956. He made his debut at the 1954 FIFA World Cup, in the 4–1 first round play-off defeat against Switzerland.[1][3][6]

Style of play

Regarded as one of the best and most consistent Italian shot-stoppers of his generation,[7] and as one of Juventus's greatest goalkeepers of all-time, Viola was an efficient and reliable keeper, who was known in particular for his composure in goal, although he also had the ability to produce acrobatic saves when necessary due to his agility and athleticism.[5]

Honours
Juventus[4][5]

References
  1. "Convocazioni e presenze in campo: Nome: Viola Giovanni" [Callups and appearances: Name: Viola Giovanni] (in Italian). Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  2. "Calcio, Juventus: muore a 82 anni l'ex portiere Giovanni Viola" [Football, Juventus: ex goalkeeper Giovanni Viola dies aged 82]. La Repubblica (in Italian). 7 July 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. "Viola Giovanni". Enciclopedia del Calcio (in Italian). Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  4. "Roll of honour". Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  5. Stefano Bedeschi (20 June 2016). "Gli eroi in bianconero: Giovanni VIOLA" (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. "Italy: Giovanni Viola". FIFA. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  7. "Il kamikaze Ghezzi e le notti di Cesenatico" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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