Giorgio Magnocavallo was born in Chieuti (La Porta di Puglia - the door to Apulia), on April 11, 1957.
He grew up near Bergamo, where his family moved soon after his birth.
He was formed in the Inter youth academy and was in the first team squad between 1973-75. He only played one game however in Coppa Italia. The managers were Helenio Herrera, Enea Masiero and Luis Suarez.
In 1975-76 he was loaned to Lecco for a year in Serie C. He played 27 league games with 2 goals and the "Manzoniani" finished 3rd.
In 1976-77 he spent another year on loan, this time with Varese in Serie B. The Biancorossi finished 8th and he played 29 league games with 2 goals.
In 1977-78 he joined Brescia in Serie B. "La Leonessa" (The Lioness), under former Lazio Gianni Seghedoni, finished 14th and Magnocavallo played 9 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. He played alongside future Lazio Gabriele Podavini, Silvano Martina, Astutillo Malgioglio plus a young Evaristo Beccalossi (future Inter star).
In 1978 he returned to Inter but was soon loaned out to Genoa in Serie B. Magnocavallo played 19 league matches with 1 goal (Palermo). The "Grifone" finished 12th under three different managers; Pietro Maroso, Héctor Puricelli and Gianni Bui.
In 1979 he moved to Triestina in Serie C1 and stayed two seasons. The Alabardati finished 7th and 4th but won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1980 defeating Sutton United on penalties. Magnocavallo played 53 league games with 8 goals for the Giuliani.
In 1981 he signed for Atalanta in C1. They were immediately promoted, then finished 8th in B and then won another promotion, this time to Serie A. In the top flight the "Dea" finished 10th. In this four-year period, he played 34 games in C with 4 goals, 57 games in B with 1 goal and 29 in A with 2 goals (Cremonese, Avellino). He played alongside Andrea Agostinelli, Daniele Filisetti, Armando Madonna, Enrico Vella and Roberto Soldà. The managers were Ottavio Bianchi the first two seasons and Nedo Sonetti the next two.
In 1985-86 he joined Lazio in Serie B. Giorgio Chinaglia was president but in great financial difficulty. Lazio had just been relegated but were hopeful of bouncing straight back up under promotion specialist Gigi Simoni. Things went differently and amid uncertainty and unfulfilled wage payment promises Lazio narrowly avoided relegation to Serie C. Chinaglia left in December and from February Franco Chimenti was president. In all the confusion Magnocavallo played 25 league games with 1 goal (Arezzo- he was the Horse Eater after all) and 5 games in Coppa Italia.
The next season Eugenio Fascetti arrived as manager to aim for promotion but Lazio's hopes were soon shattered when they were docked nine points (initially it was relegation) for Claudio Vinazzani's alleged involvement in the Totonero-bis betting scandal. The evidence was scant but fact was that Lazio started with a nine-point handicap (with only two points per victory). What followed was an epic season. Lazio conquered the right to a three-team playoff by beating Vicenza seven minutes from time with a Giuliano Fiorini goal. They then lost the first match 0-1 to Taranto but then beat Campobasso 1-0 with a Fabio Poli winner. The minus nine squad became heroes for life at Lazio. Magnocavallo played 27 league games (including the playoffs) with 2 goals (Bologna, Bari).
In 1987 however he left Lazio and joined Barletta in Serie B. He stayed two seasons and the "Furie Rosse" (The Red Furies) finished 17th and 11th under four different managers; Giorgio Rumignani, Enzo Riccomini, Rumignani again, Francesco Specchia and Gesualdo Albanese. Magnocavallo played 50 league games with 2 goals (Messina, Genoa) and 4 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1989-90 he joined SPAL in C2. The Estensi finished 10th under Luciano Magistrelli first and then Nello Santin. Magnocavallo played 19 league games with 5 goals (Cittadella, Ravenna, Juventus Domodossola, Virescit Bergamo, Sassuolo).
His last club was Formia (in Lazio between Rome and Naples) in C2 in 1990-91. He played 17 games for the Formiani and they finished 12th.
He then retired at 34.
He has since had a few coaching experiences, Frosinone 1991-92 at regional level and then amateurs Asperiam and Pagazzanese, both in the Bergamo area.
Magnocavallo was a defender and midfielder. He was a versatile player, strong physically, with good athletic and aerial abilities. He usually played at left back, defending and attacking. His best years were with Atalanta and their double jump from Serie C to A.
At Lazio he has his immortality assured as part of Fascetti's minus nine heroes. That squad is among the most popular in Lazio's history, up there with Scudetto and cup winning teams. Magno or "Magnum", as we called him, was there.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1985-86 | 30 (1) | 25 (1) | 5 |
1986-87 | 31 (2) | 29 (2) | 2 |
Total | 61 (3) | 54 (3) | 7 |
Sources
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