Former Granata player Zaccarelli: «Grande Torino was a striking example of the ability to raise one’s head in a country in ruins».
Today is the 75th anniversary of the 1949 tragedy in Superga, where the players of the “great Turin” died. The Team tells what happened afterwards through the voices of some of the Granata protagonists.
The tragedy of “Grande Torino” remains a family heirloom for the Granata people
It all lasted just one minute and twenty seconds, much less than the tiki taka of Pep Guardiola’s teams. A very strong emotion for Alessandro Buongiorno, chosen in 2023 to remember all the names of the players, managers, technicians, journalists and crew members who lost their lives on 4 May 1949 in Superga. Today the defender risks being even more emotional and will have to renew his presence in a highly symbolic moment for the city and the club. While three-quarters of a century has passed since the tragedy, the memory of these departed heroes has not weakened, on the contrary. It is an integral part of the identity of what is called the “Granata people”.
Honoring Superga’s memory is almost like a family heirloom. The president of the Grande Torino Museum Domenico Beccaria said: «The people who saw this team live still talk about it. The involvement is intense. Today’s footballers want to know the history of their predecessors.” Former Granata player Renato Zaccarelli explains: «Grande Torino was a striking example of the ability to raise one’s head in a country in ruins. After the war, Italian sport was reborn, giving a positive and winning image. The disappearance of this team was such a shock that it overwhelmed everyone, not just the Toro fans. And the cult of memory has taken hold.”
Journalist Guido Vaciago states: «On 4 May 1949, the Turin fans lost what was then probably the strongest team in the world, and certainly the strongest in their history. After Superga, Torino had great teams, brilliant players, but they almost never won anything again, apart from the scudetto in 1976 and some Italian Cups.”
