Giuseppe Bruscolotti

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Lore & Background

Born in Sassano, Campania, Bruscolotti began his career with Sorrento in 1970. He immediately helped the club to Serie B promotion, winning the Serie C1 title during the 1970–71 season, and was a part of a defence which only conceded 12 goals in the league; the following season, however, the club were immediately relegated to Serie C once again, after finishing in second-last place in the league. Bruscolotti subsequently moved to S.S.C. Napoli in 1972, where he spent most of his career, making over 500 appearances for the team during his sixteen seasons in Naples; he made his Serie A debut with Napoli during the 1972–73 season, in a 1–0 win over Ternana on 24 September 1972. Bruscolotti became a symbol and a legend of the club, and played a key role in helping Napoli to their first ever Serie A title in 1987; he was also the team's captain from 1978 until 1984, when he handed over the armband to Diego Maradona. He retired at the age of 37 in 1988; he held the record for most Serie A appearances for Napoli (387) and is now second for this category behind Marek Hamšík, and has made the second most appearances in all league competitions for the club, also behind Hamšík. He also made 96 appearances for Napoli in the Coppa Italia, and 28 in European competitions. Bruscolotti also scored 11 goals for Napoli throughout his career; one of his most notable goals came in a 1–0 home victory over Anderlecht in the return leg of the 1976–77 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals, although Napoli were eliminated by the eventual champions on aggregate. His most important goal for the club came in the second leg of the 1976 Anglo-Italian League Cup final, which saw Napoli triumph over Southampton. In addition to these titles, Bruscolotti also won two Coppa Italia titles with Napoli.

In Their Own Story

The San Paolo crowd knew what they had in Giuseppe Bruscolotti. They called him "Pal e fierr" — iron pole — for his physical strength and his hard-tackling style of play. He was the captain from 1978 until 1984, leading the team through the years before Diego Maradona arrived. When the time came, Bruscolotti handed over the armband to Maradona, a gesture that showed his understanding of the changing of the guard. But even without the armband, he remained the defensive anchor. In the 1986–87 season, as Napoli chased their first ever Serie A title, Bruscolotti was the veteran presence that kept the backline organized. He had already won two Coppa Italia titles with Napoli (1975–76 and 1986–87) and the Anglo-Italian League Cup in 1976. His goal against Anderlecht in the 1976–77 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals was a moment of brilliance, but it was his consistency that defined him. He held the record for most Serie A appearances for Napoli (387) and is now second for this category behind Marek Hamšík, and has made the second most appearances in all league competitions for the club, also behind Hamšík. He also made 96 appearances for Napoli in the Coppa Italia, and 28 in European competitions. Bruscolotti also scored 11 goals for Napoli throughout his career.

Reader's Guide

As a full-back, Bruscolotti was known in particular for his physical strength and balance, as well as his marking ability, leadership, and his hard-tackling style of play. Although he was notorious for his aggressive challenges, he was also praised throughout his career for his fair-play attitude.

Did You Know?

• Bruscolotti was nicknamed 'Pal e fierr' ('iron pole') by Napoli fans due to his physical strength.
• He helped Sorrento win the Serie C1 title in 1970–71, with a defence that conceded only 12 goals.
• Bruscolotti scored a notable goal in a 1–0 home win over Anderlecht in the 1976–77 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final.
• He made 96 appearances for Napoli in the Coppa Italia and 28 in European competitions.