Giovanni Viola

Giovanni Viola

Viola with Italy national team in 1956
Personal information
Date of birth	(1926-06-20)20 June 1926
Place of birth	San Benigno Canavese, Italy
Date of death	7 July 2008(2008-07-07) (aged 82)
Place of death	Turin, Italy
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1945–1958	Juventus	245	(0)
1946–1947	→ Carrarese (loan)	33	(0)
1947–1948	→ Como (loan)	33	(0)
1948–1949	→ Lucchese (loan)	33	(0)
1958–1959	Brescia	27	(0)
Total		371	(0)
International career
1954–1956	Italy	11	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Giovanni Viola (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni viˈɔːla; ˈvjɔː-]; 20 June 1926 – 7 July 2008) was an Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Although he represented several Italian clubs throughout his career, he is mostly remembered for his successful stint with Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

During his club career, Viola played for Italian side Juventus from 1945 to 1958. He was brought in as a replacement for Lucidio Sentimenti (IV), and made 246 appearances for the Turin club, winning the Scudetto on three occasions: in 1950, 1952 and 1958. He also played for Carrarese, Como, Lucchese, and Brescia.

International career

At international level, Viola also played 11 matches for the Italy between 1954 and 1956. He made his debut at the 1954 FIFA World Cup, in the 4–1 first round play-off defeat of Switzerland.

Style of play

Regarded as one of the best and most consistent Italian shot-stoppers of his generation, and as one of Juventus's greatest goalkeepers of all-time, Viola was an efficient and reliable keeper, who was known in particular for his composure in goal, although he also had the ability to produce acrobatic saves when necessary due to his agility and athleticism.

Honours

Juventus

• Serie A: 1949–50, 1951–52 and 1957–58