La Prima Volta…Giuseppe Signori

La Prima Volta… a brand-new series, bringing to life the maiden goals that catalysed the careers of Serie A’s greatest forwards.

Season One: Italian Icons. Episode Six: Giuseppe Signori.

Born in the north of the country but flourishing in the south, Giuseppe Signori was an integral part of the Tridente delle Meraviglie (The Trident of Wonders) assembled by Foggia’s maverick coach, Zdenek Zeman.

In an exhilarating and unyielding team, Signori had notched 15 goals in the 1989/90 Serie B campaign and 11 more in the following season as I Satanelli steamrolled their way to promotion.

With Signori on the left and Roberto Rambaudi on the right, Foggia’s attacking trident was made complete by Francesco Baiano down the middle. After winning promotion, the chain-smoking Zeman remained loyal to the troops who had spectacularly brought to life his full-blooded attacking philosophy.

Zeman’s disruptive tactical prescription translated beautifully to the top flight. In the opening weeks, they landed victories over Fiorentina and Cagliari and an honourable draw away to Inter. Going into matchday five, a home game against Parma, 23-year-old Signori was the only one of the triumvirate yet to record a goal in Serie A.

Midway through the second half, with the game in an unlikely stalemate, Foggia streamed forward in numbers. Rambaudi was floored by a heavy challenge, but the referee allowed play to continue.

Signori collected the loose ball 25 yards from goal; he elegantly skipped over the lunge of Lorenzo Minotti and accelerated towards Claudio Taffarel’s goal. Signori’s shimmy sent the advancing Brazilian off balance, before slotting the ball past him from a narrow angle.

Signori wheeled away in feverish celebration, exulting in the glow of Foggia’s clamorous Curva Sud.

Zeman’s unfancied Foggia went on to achieve a remarkable ninth-place Serie A finish, more doubling the goal tally of Inter, who finished one place above them.

Signori’s individual count of eleven goals persuaded Lazio to take him to the Eternal City, where accolades and international honours would ensue. Meanwhile, his inevitable departure marked the beginning of the end for Foggia dei Miracoli (Foggia of Miracles).

In total, Signori amassed 188 Serie goals in the colours of Foggia, Lazio, Sampdoria and Milan.

1:28, Signori scores his maiden goal in Serie A

This concludes La Prima Volta… Season One . We’ll be back soon with Season Two – subscribe here to get notifications direct to your inbox. In the meantime, find previous episodes here: