Sergio Cervato

Sergio Cervato (Italian pronunciation: [ˈsɛrdʒo tʃerˈvaːto]; 22 March 1929 – 9 October 2005) was an Italian footballer who played as a defender.

Sergio Cervato
Cervato as Fiorentina captain in the late 1950s
Personal information
Full name Sergio Cervato
Date of birth (1929-10-22)22 October 1929
Place of birth Carmignano di Brenta, Padua, Italy
Date of death 9 October 2005(2005-10-09) (aged 75)
Place of death Italy
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
1946–1947 Tombolo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1947–1948 Bolzano 17 (0)
1948–1959 Fiorentina 316 (31)
1959–1961 Juventus 62 (7)
1961–1965 SPAL 91 (7)
Total 486 (45)
National team
1951–1960 Italy 28 (4)
Teams managed
1966–1967 Pescara
1967–1968 Trani
1968–1970 Empoli
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Cervato was born in Carmignano di Brenta, province of Padua. Playing for Fiorentina, he formed a formidable defensive partnership with Ardico Magnini; despite being a left-back, however, Cervato often contributed to the Viola's attacks, scoring 31 goals during his 10 years in Florence.

Cervato (crouched, first from left) with Juventus scudettata in the 1960–61 season.

During the 1955–56 Serie A season, Cervato won the Serie A title ("Scudetto") with Fiorentina as the club's captain, his only title with the club; the 1955–56 title-winning side under Fulvio Bernardini lost just one game – the last one at Genoa – and is regarded as one of the best Serie A teams of all time. Following the team's Serie A triumph, the squad narrowly missed out on several more league titles, finishing as runners-up for the next four consecutive years in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960. During his time with Fiorentina, Cervato also helped the club to reach the 1957 European Cup Final; despite a strong performance, Fiorentina were defeated 2–0 by Real Madrid.

After leaving the Florence side in 1959, Cervato won 2 more league titles with Fiorentina's rivals Juventus. He ended his career in 1965 with Spal Ferrara in Serie B. In Serie A he played a total of 466 matches and scored 45 goals.

International career

With the Italian national team, Cervato obtained 28 international caps, scored 4 goals, and participated at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

Style of play

One of the finest defenders of Serie A, Cervato was a quick and tireless competitor. As a left-back, he often contributed to his team's attacks; he also boasted a fierce shot and took both penalties and free-kicks.[1]

Managing career

After he retired, Cervato managed the Pescara, Empoli, and Fiorentina youth teams.

Death

Cervato died at 76 years old in Florence.

Honours

Fiorentina
Juventus

References

  1. Giusto, Antonio (15 March 2010). "C'era una volta il Football – Parola e quella rovesciata IMMORTALE". Goal.com (in Italian). Retrieved 17 May 2020.
    • Scudetto 1955–56 Team
    • Fiorentina All Time Eleven
    • All Time Domestic Appearances
    • International Appearances
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