Luigi Bertolini

Luigi Bertolini (13 September 1904 – 11 February 1977) was an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Born in Busalla, province of Genoa, Bertolini played in the 1920s for Savona, Alessandria and Juventus. He moved from Alessandria to Juventus in 1931, becoming an integral part of the remainder of their five-year championship run. In total, he played 135 matches for Juventus, scoring five goals, helping the team to win four Serie A tournaments. He retired from playing football in 1937.

International career

With the Italy national football team, Bertolini made his debut in 1929, and was a member of the team that won the 1934 FIFA World Cup. Alongside Luisito Monti and Attilio Ferraris, Luigi Bertolini made up the legendary Italian midfield established at the 1934 World Cup. In that tournament he started every game and was only rested by Pozzo in the first quarter-final encounter against Spain. Bertolini is very recognisable in the photos of the 1934 Italian World Cup-winning team by virtue of his big white bandana which he used to protect his head from the seams of the ball when attempting headers. He was also one of the 'Lions of Highbury' in the narrow loss to England in November 1934 known as the Battle of Highbury. As the story goes, during the second half he was disoriented from fatigue and with the English constantly in attack, he kept calling out for Luisito not realising that Monti was not on the field (due to a broken bone) and the midline was just himself and Ferraris.

Managerial career

Following his retirement, Bertolini began his coaching career with Tigullia in 1938.

References

• La Gazzetta dello Sport

Italy squad – 1934 FIFA World Cup Winners (1st title)
GK Cavanna GK Combi (c) GK Masetti DF Allemandi DF Caligaris DF Monzeglio DF Rosetta MF Bertolini MF Castellazzi MF Ferraris MF Monti MF Pizziolo MF Varglien FW Arcari FW Borel FW Demaria FW Ferrari FW Guaita FW Guarisi FW Meazza FW Orsi FW Schiavio Coach: Pozzo