Gaetano Legnaro was born in Cartura (Padova), on October 31, 1947.
He played his early football in the Alessandria youth sector. He then made his debut for the "Orso Grigio" (The Grey Bear) in 1965.
Alessandria were in Serie B and got through three managers: former Lazio Federico Allasio, Aristide Coscia and finally Hungarian László Székely. The Grigi finished 13th and Legnaro played 2 league games. A teammate was former Lazio Carlo Tagnin.
In 1966-67 Alessandria were relegated. Again, they shuffled managers around: Ettore Puricelli to Giulio Cappelli and then back to Székely. Legnaro played 13 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was a young Avelino Moriggi.
In 1967-78 Mario Pietruzzi was manager and Alessandria finished 9th in Serie C. Legnaro played regularly, making 31 league appearances.
In 1968-69, again under Pietruzzi, the "Mandrogni" came 7th. Legnaro only played 5 league games due to injury.
The 1969-70 season would be his last in Piedmont. The manager was Sergio Manente and Alessandria finished 9th. Legnaro had a good season playing 34 league games and scoring 5 goals.
In 1970 he signed for Lazio in Serie A. Lazio came from a good 8th place but this season there were problems between manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo and the owner Umberto Lenzini and the team suffered. The Biancocelesti ended up relegated. The consolation was winning the Alps Cup (Basel 3-1). Legnaro played 17 league games with 1 goal (Cagliari). This disappointing season was at least an excuse to change managers and what a change it turned out to be.
The following season Tommaso Maestrelli arrived at Lazio from Foggia. He would change Lazio’s history. For the time being they won promotion back to Serie A and won a derby in Coppa Italia. Legnaro played 16 league games and 8 in Coppa Italia. He was involved in the build-up but not to the actual glory as the following season he moved on. With the arrival of Sergio Petrelli, he was sold in November, also due to contractual disagreements.
In November 1972 he signed for Ascoli. He would play 7 seasons for the Piceni. When he arrived the "Picchio" was in Serie B and finished 4th under legendary Roman manager Carlo "Sor Carletto" Mazzone. Legnaro played 27 league games.
In 1973-74 Ascoli were promoted and Legnaro played 34 league games.
In Serie A in 1974-75 the Bianconeri finished 12th (beating Lazio and Inter). Legnaro played 25 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia.
In 1975-76 the Marchigiani changed managers to Enzo Riccomini and were relegated (despite beating Lazio and Inter again). Legnaro played 13 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In 1976-77, under Riccomini, Giovanni Mialich and then Riccomini again, Ascoli finished 9th in B. Legnaro played 19 league games.
In 1977-78 Ascoli won the league under Antonio Renna. They totted up a record 61 points and scored 73 goals. Legnaro played 35 games with 1 goal (Cesena). His teammates included future Lazio Claudio Ambu and Giuseppe Greco.
The 1978-79 season would be his last with the Bianconeri; it was a positive one with Ascoli comfortably avoiding relegation with a 10th place finish. The "Picchio" drew 0-0 away to Milan, beat Juventus 1-0 at home and drew 1-1 away to Inter. Legnaro played 22 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia. Ascoli's keeper was Lazio legend Felice Pulici.
In 1979-80 he had one last season with Taranto in Serie B. The managers were Adelmo Capelli (1-14) and then former Lazio player Gianni Seghedoni (15-38), protagonist of the famous goal/ no-goal episode in March 1962 against Napoli. The Ionici finished 16th and just avoided relegation. Legnaro played 19 league games.
Legnaro, at almost 33, then retired.
Legnaro was a defender. At 1.74 tall and 72 kilos he was a solid full-back specialized in man-to-man marking. His main assets were his speed and his ability to anticipate the forwards to the ball. He won a Serie B title, two promotions and played 183 games with Ascoli. He still goes back regularly and is a popular character in Ascoli Piceno.
At Lazio he won a promotion to Serie A and an Alps Cup. He played 41 games for the Biancocelesti and was part of the build up to the team which would become Italian Champions in 1974.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup | Cup of the Alps |
1970-71 | 23 (1) | 17 (1) | - | - | 1 | 5 |
1971-72 | 24 | - | 16 | 8 | - | - |
Total | 47 (1) | 17 (1) | 16 | 8 | 1 | 5 |
Sources
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