Bruno Giordano is an idol for generations of Lazio fans growing up in the late 70's - early 80's.
Giordano was born in Rome on 13 August, 1956. He was born in the famous “Vicolo del Piede” in the historic district of Trastevere. He was known as “Il bomber di Trastevere“ all his career.
He joined Lazio as a teenager and was part of a highly talented youth sector. The Lazio Primavera with manager Paolo Carosi won the scudetto in 1975-76. In his squad he had the creme de la creme of Lazio youth: Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia, Andrea Agostinelli, Maurizio Montesi and Massimo De Santis.
He made his official club debut on 5 October 1975, when he came on as a substitute and scored the winner away at Sampdoria, latching on to a pass by Giorgio Chinaglia, his boyhood idol. He then became Lazio's number 9 when “Long John” left for New York Cosmos in 1976. Giordano became one of the best players of his generation and was top Serie A goal scorer in 1979 with 19 goals.
In 1980 however his career suffered a dramatic setback. He was accused, along with childhood friend and teammate Lionello Manfredonia, goalkeeper Massimo Cacciatori and Captain Giuseppe Wilson, of being involved in the “Totonero” match fixing scandal. The punishment was first an 18 month ban then increased on appeal to three-and-a-half years. Lazio as a club were also penalized for their players' alleged involvement and were relegated to Serie B.
Giordano has always proclaimed his innocence. “I had nothing to do with it. The ban was a blatant injustice, a ban based on no proof and none of the accusers mentioned my name”. The criminal judgement a year later gave a verdict of not guilty to all the players.
After Italy's World Cup triumph in 1982, two years were taken off all the bans, so Giordano and Manfredonia could start playing again.
When Giordano returned for the 1982-83 season Lazio were still languishing in the second division. He took up where he left off however and helped Lazio back into the big time with 18 goals.
The following season saw him experience another blow, breaking his leg at an away match at Ascoli. He was out for much of the second half of the season but did manage to return in time to help Lazio avoid relegation. A fate not even he could prevent a year later when, after a dismal season, Lazio were relegated. Giordano played a total of 260 games for his beloved home team (165 in Serie A, 38 in Serie B, 43 in Coppa Italia, 8 in the UEFA Cup and 6 in the Intertoto Cup) and scored 117 times (68 in Serie A, 18 in Serie B, 18 in Coppa Italia, 5 in the UEFA Cup and 8 in the Intertoto Cup).
In 1985 he moved to Napoli where he spent three highly successful years. He won a “scudetto” and a Coppa Italia in 1987 and was part of the formidable MA-GI-CA trio alongside Diego Armando Maradona and Careca and later Andrea Carnevale. He played 109 games for Napoli scoring 37 goals and setting up countless others.
His playing career continued at Ascoli, Bologna and again Ascoli before retiring in 1992.
He played 13 times for Italy, probably too few for a player of his calibre and class. His chances were hampered by the betting scandal and by the emergence of the less talented but incredible goal scoring machine, Paolo Rossi.
After his playing days he coached a myriad of club teams mainly between Serie B and C but never with the success he enjoyed as a player.
Giordano was a strong, yet skilful centre forward. He was a classy, technical attacker with a powerful finish. He was an all rounder, he could dribble, had pace, strength and could set up goals as well as score them. The great Argentine Maradona described Giordano as the best Italian he had ever played with and also said he was the most South American of them.
He was certainly an idol for generations of Lazio fans growing up in the late 70's - early 80's and “Bruno –gol” is undoubtedly up there with the club's all time greats and was definitely one of the most talented.
Giordano is still a Lazio fan and can regularly be heard discussing his beloved home team in the local press, media and radio stations.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup | Intertoto Cup |
1975-76 | 27 (7) | 14 (5) | - | 9 (1) | 4 (1) | |
1976-77 | 30 (13) | 26 (10) | - | 4 (3) | - | - |
1977-78 | 42 (27) | 29 (12) | - | 3 (3) | 4 (4) | 6 (8) |
1978-79 | 36 (21) | 30 (19) | - | 6 (2) | - | - |
1979-80 | 29 (12) | 23 (9) | - | 6 (3) | - | - |
1982-83 | 43 (21) | - | 38 (18) | 5 (3) | - | - |
1983-84 | 23 (8) | 18 (8) | - | 5 | - | - |
1984-85 | 30 (8) | 25 (5) | - | 5 (3) | - | - |
Total | 260 (117) | 165 (68) | 38 (18) | 43 (18) | 8 (5) | 6 (8) |
Sources
Giancarlo Governi. Bruno Giordano - Una vita sulle montagne russe. Fazi Editore, 2017