Beppe Pancaro was a great right back who could also play on the left without too many problems. He was a good man-to-man marker, he could cross with both feet, he could shoot too and was often dangerous on corners and free kicks.
Born in Cosenza on August 26, 1971, he started his career with Acri in the Interregional League and then moved to the Torino youth sector. His professional debut came in Serie C2 with Avezzano in the 1991-92 season and a year later he joined Cagliari in Serie A. He stayed with the islanders for five years totalling 97 appearances with 5 goals. He did not play much in the beginning but slowly he became a regular first team player.
In 1997-98 he signed for Lazio. He made a great contribution playing 220 games (with seven goals) in six seasons. With the Biancocelesti he won a scudetto (1999-00), the Coppa Italia twice (1998 and 2000), the Super Coppa twice (1998 and 2000), a Cup Winners Cup (1999) and a UEFA Super Cup (1999). He played either left back or right back, depending on whether Beppe Favalli was playing. Pancaro in the scudetto year scored two decisive goals, both against Inter, both in the dying seconds of the match and both equalisers.
In 2003-04 he signed for AC Milan where he stayed for two years. In Milan he won a scudetto a UEFA Super Cup and a Super Coppa, His last two years of active football were with Fiorentina and Torino.
Pancaro played 19 times for Italy. He played in the qualifications for Euro 2000, the World Cup qualifiers of 2002 and 2006 but never made it to the final stages.
His managerial career started in 2012 when he became assistant to Dario Marcolin, former Lazio teammate, at Modena in Lega Pro. His first solo job was at Juve Stabia again in Lega Pro in 2014. After managing Catania, Catanzaro, and Pistoiese he became head coach at Monopoli in Serie C but was sacked in March 2023.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Cup Winners Cup | UEFA Cup | UEFA Super Cup | Super Coppa |
1997-98 | 34 (1) | 24 (1) | 3 | - | - | 7 | - | - |
1998-99 | 42 | 30 | 4 | - | 8 | - | - | - |
1999-00 | 45 (3) | 28 (3) | 5 | 11 | - | - | 1 | - |
2000-01 | 43 | 31 | 1 | 10 | - | - | - | 1 |
2001-02 | 31 (1) | 23 (1) | 1 | 7 | - | - | - | - |
2002-03 | 25 (2) | 16 | 4 (2) | - | - | 5 | - | - |
Total | 220 (7) | 152 (5) | 18 (2) | 28 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
Sources