Michelangelo Sulfaro was born in Messina, on November 26, 1946.
He started playing in his hometown club's youth set up and was in the first team squad between 1962-1965 but never made his debut. He did go very close to the Scudetto with the Primavera team (U19's)
In 1965 he crossed the Straits and joined Crotone in Serie C. He stayed three seasons but only played 13 league games. The "Squali" (The Sharks) finished 9th, 17th and 13th. His managers were former Lazio player Salvatore Gualtieri (192 games), Giovanni Zanollo and Pasquale Morisco.
In 1968 he signed for Sambenedettese in Serie C. The manager was former Roma player Alberto Eliami and then Mauro Mari. The "Samba" finished 9th and Sulfaro played 33 league games. He was voted best Serie C goalkeeper that year.
In 1969 Sulfaro joined Lazio. The Biancocelesti were back in Serie A after two years in B. The manager was Roberto Lovati with Juan Carlos Lorenzo as Technical Director. It was the year Giorgio Chinaglia and Pino Wilson arrived, plus Franco Nanni in the autumn and Lazio had a good season finishing 8th. Sulfaro was alternated in goal with Rosario Di Vincenzo. In the end Sulfaro played 16 league games as did Di Vincenzo (who also played three in Coppa Italia). In September 1969 Sulfaro broke his jaw away at Bologna, he completed the game but was out for more than a month and lost 12 kilos. He played in the 1-1 draw in the derby.
The following year was a negative one for Lazio. The Eagles were relegated but as a consolation won the Alps Cup beating Basel 3-1. Sulfaro only played 8 league games (Di Vincenzo got 21), 3 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the Alps Cup.
In 1971 he joined Fiorentina on loan. The manager was Nils Liedholm and the Viola finished 5th. The first keeper was Franco Superchi and Sulfaro did not play any league games. His only appearances were 3 in Coppa Italia. His teammates in Florence included future Lazio, Pietro Ghedin and Sergio Clerici.
In 1972 Sulfaro came back to the capital but signed for Roma. The manager was Helenio "Il Mago" Herrera and then, after 24 matches, Antonio Trebiciani. The first-choice keeper however was Alberto Ginulfi and Sulfaro never wore the Roma jersey in an official match. The Giallorossi finished 11th and lost both derbies.
In 1973 he moved to Vicenza in Serie A. He stayed 4 years in Veneto and the "Lane" finished 12th, 14th (relegated), 16th (in B), 1st (promoted), In his first year he played 10 league games under Hector Puccinelli but then over the years played less under Manlio Scopigno, Chinesinho and Giovan Battista Fabbri. He made a total of 19 league appearances. The highlight was saving a Gianni Rivera penalty at the "Meazza" in 1974, helping the Biancorossi to a famous 2-1 win.
In 1978 he joined Savona in Serie C2. The Biancoblu from Liguria finished 13th under Michele Viano and Sulfaro played 13 league games.
In 1980-81 he had one last season at Spezia in Serie C1. He played 11 league games but the "Aquilotti" were relegated.
He then retired at 34 and left the football world, going to work in his family business.
He also represented Italy for their military team. He took part in the 1972 World Cup but Italy were beaten in the final by Iraq.
A career without a high number of games but a few satisfactions: playing in Serie A with Lazio and Vicenza and saving a Rivera penalty in Milan.
At Lazio he played 29 games and was part of the squad who would soon go on to conquer the Scudetto under Tommaso Maestrelli.
Lazio Career
Season | Games | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Fairs Cup | Mitropa Cup | Anglo Italian Cup | Cup of the Alps |
1969-70 | 21 | 16 | - | - | 2 | 3 | - |
1970-71 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 | - | - | 2 |
Total | 36 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Sources
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