The unsung hero who changed Juventus forever | OneFootball

According to Tutto Juve, Giampaolo Menichelli occupies a distinctive place in Juventus history—a winger whose contributions from 1963 to 1969 coincided with a pivotal transitional period for the club. Arriving from Roma as a 25-year-old Italian international and World Cup participant, Menichelli was one of the most coveted signings of the 1963 summer, his transfer causing considerable excitement among Juventus supporters.

Menichelli’s early days in Turin were tested by injuries and a team still searching for its identity under coach Amaral, followed by rapid changes in management and tactical philosophy. He missed much of the opening stretch of his first campaign, but his eventual debut brought energy and promise to the Bianconeri’s left flank. Even so, his first season ended with 26 league appearances and 6 goals—not quite matching the lofty expectations, though he remained among the team’s most consistent performers.

His influence grew considerably after the arrival of manager Heriberto Herrera for the 1964-65 season. Menichelli became the side’s top scorer, netting 11 goals in 27 league games, and delivered in decisive moments, such as in the Turin derby or late equalisers. His direct style, boasting pace and an eye for goal, earned him appreciation from the Juventus faithful.

Menichelli’s reputation as a man for the big occasion was reinforced during Juventus’ Coppa Italia triumph over Inter in 1965, when he struck the winning goal at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. As Juventus matured into a defensively robust unit, his knack for scoring crucial goals—especially in tightly contested fixtures—remained invaluable.

The 1966-67 campaign represented Menichelli’s crowning achievement. Playing in all but one match that season, he contributed 11 goals in 33 appearances, a quarter of the side’s total as Juventus clinched their 13th Scudetto after a dramatic late-season surge. He scored against title rivals Inter at San Siro and found the net in other key matches, including the vital away win at Vicenza days before the title was sealed.

Across six seasons, Menichelli amassed 164 league appearances and scored 40 goals for Juventus, also featuring in memorable European campaigns—such as a Fairs Cup final and scoring in the European Cup. While later arrivals like Pietro Anastasi and Helmut Haller gradually shifted the attacking spotlight, Menichelli remained a reliable presence, especially in local derbies.

Known as a reserved figure off the pitch, Menichelli’s professionalism and commitment left a resonant impression at a time when Italian football was dominated by personalities and shifting fortunes. Reflecting on his time at Juventus, Menichelli once said, “I’d like to meet a player who wouldn’t feel at home here. I’ve always tried to do well, and I hope I’ve managed it now and then.”

Menichelli’s tenure at Juventus stands as a testament to the value of consistent excellence during a period of evolution for the club.

Source: Tutto Juve