All of Cagliari Calcio mourns the loss of Comunardo Niccolai, unforgettable protagonist of the 1970 Scudetto.
He was born in Uzzano, a small town in the province of Pistoia, on December 15, 1946. He owes his curious first name to his father, Lorenzo, who called him Comunardo in homage to the Paris Commune.
After starting out in the Montecatini youth team, Niccolai arrived in Sardinia at a very young age, at Torres. It was 1963: he played 22 games in Serie C, standing out as one of the best prospects in the category. An excellent season that earned him the attention of Cagliari, who bought him before all the teams interested in his registration.
Niccolai confirmed his skills also in the red and blue, even if initially he had to act as a reserve for the more experienced Vescovi. With the departure of the latter in 1968, he definitively took possession of the number 5 shirt. He remained at Cagliari until 1976, then moved to Perugia and ended his career at Prato. With Cagliari he made over 270 appearances with 6 goals to his name.
He then began his coaching career within the FIGC. He was an appreciated selector of the youth teams of the Azzurri, christening players who would write the history of the National team, such as Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Totti. In 1993-94 he led the senior women’s national team.
His name is traditionally linked to his own goals, some of which have remained famous. He himself spoke about them with philosophy and self-irony: “At first it bothered me but then I got used to it. There are players who have had an excellent career but no one remembers them; at least I left a mark on the history of Italian football”.
It would be unfair, however, to limit his career to these unfortunate setbacks. In reality, Niccolai was a defender of great value, stern, attentive in marking, but also good at leaving the area with the ball at his feet and his head held high. His exchanges with the libero, Cera or Tomasini, were ahead of their time: over the years, the exchange of position between the central defenders has become a standard in the way of defending required by modern football. The exceptional performance of the back line in the year of the championship (only 11 goals conceded, a record still unbeaten in 16-team championships) is also due to his formidable contribution. It is no coincidence that he was included in the list of 22 Azzurri called up for the World Cup in Mexico. Coach Ferruccio Valcareggi fielded him as a starter in the first match against Sweden. He made 3 appearances for the Azzurri.
Niccolai leaves the memory of a great sportsman, a polite, kind, respectful, cordial man, who knew how to make himself loved. A master of football and life.
Thanks for everything, Communardo.
