The legend tells that the cry of Sandro Ciotti (but in reality it is not known whether it was really him or one of Luigi Prestinenza, Nuccio Puleo or Ezio Luzzi who coined the term) during “All football minute by minute” was pronounced on June 4, 1961 and has since entered history. It has become a slogan, it is brought up when there is a surprising and unexpected sporting (but also non-sporting) result, it acts as a container of stories of bins, of singular enterprises.
The “sensational at Cibali” match, shouted or not by Ciotti at the second Rossazzurro goal, it has been rebuilt many times with the testimonies of the Catania players of the time, on the pitch that day. And they won 2-0.
The background is strange. It was the last day of the championship, that 1960/61, crossed, you know the news, by very strong controversies. Inter were second in the standings two points behind Juve, after that day the repetition of Juventus – Inter had to be played, so the Scudetto was still possible for the Nerazzurri. The match had already been played in the league on April 16 and was suspended by the referee Gambarotta because over five thousand spectators, who had not found a place in the stands, had placed themselves on the sidelines. Decision of the disciplinary: 0 – 2 for Inter.
Juve did not accept, and it is not new, the decision and then filed an appeal (it happens, however, that Umberto Agnelli, father of Andrea, was president of Juventus and also of the FIGC; then nobody knew what the conflict of interest was…).
The Caf, just on the eve of Catania-Inter, decided that the match had to be repeated. For Inter it was a low blow, even if nothing was lost yet.
But in Milan they did the math without the host. Revenge served on a silver platter. Catania, newly promoted to Serie A, had been the revelation of the championship. In the penultimate match of the first round he found himself second, two points behind Inter, which he would have faced at San Siro. That day, January 29, 1961, Catania took five, four were sensational own goals.
L’ improvvido Helenio Herrera, the Magician, proved naive and short-sighted and, with arrogance, declared at the end of the game: “We beat a team of postelegraphonics.” Anyone would have tied it to their finger. And Catania did not forget.
Giorgio Michelotti told us, Rossazzurro full-back of the time a detail: «A few days before the match (back, ed.) the managers came to offer us a double prize if we let Inter win. We all stood up: “No, we’re sorry. We play it “. And we played death ».
“That game – added goalkeeper Gaspari – we players prepared it. We sent everyone out, Di Bella, the managers, we cared too much ». Other rossazzurri of the time remembered that day as follows: «They didn’t see the ball very little – Ferretti – They told me that Suarez was also in the stands, whom Inter had bought for the following season. I had a lot of fun, Cibali was hell for the opponents, that year only Juve managed to win ».
Alvaro Biagini, midfielder, he recalled: «I got married three days later. I remember a young bull made by me, Calvanese and Ferretti with Facchetti dazed among the audience’s ole. I keep a photo of Gaspari carried in triumph by the Catania fans ». Memo Prenna, historic rossazzurro captain: «Our fans sang an ironic“ Herrera cha cha cha ”. And when Calvanese happened to be near the Inter bench, he stopped the ball with his behind under the eyes of the Magician ».
Michelotti again: “Facchetti was so confused that he made a mistake in the dressing room at the end of the match.” Gaspari, the goalkeeper, after the game went to greet the Inter players in their hotel: «I had played in Livorno with Picchi and Balleri. They were embittered. Balleri had also been expelled. They told me: you have ruined us ».
Juve, drawing at home with Bari, that day he won the Scudetto. At that point the repetition of the game was irrelevant. And in fact, on June 9, Inter, it is very well known, sent a team of kids onto the field in protest. It ended 9-1 for Juventus, with six goals from Sivori, who however failed to win the top scorer. The goal for Inter was scored by rookie Sandro Mazzola. It was also Boniperti’s last match.
The Catania that day I fielded this formation: Gaspari; Michelotti, Giavara; Ferretti, Grani, Corti; Caceffo, Biagini, Calvanese, Prenna, Castellazzi. Coach was Carmelo Di Bella. The goals were scored by Castellazzi and Calvanese.
Epilogue. Generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who that day was in the stands of the old Polisportivo Cibali (as the facility was called at the time) have become fans and grew up in the myth born also from the narration of that epic.
Catania, Club Calcio Catania 1946, freshman 11700, is not just a football team and not just football because, to paraphrase Bill Shankly (legendary manager of Liverpool from 1959 to 1974): “Some think that football is a matter of life or death . I do not agree. I can assure you that it is much, much more ».
And it is good that nobody forgets it …