11 March 2022
Despite an impressive haul of three goals in four matches, Juve's trips to the city of Genoa to take on Sampdoria did not start on the right foot for José Altafini. The Brazilian star was substituted at half time in his first Samp-Juve encounter, in season 1972-73. The following season he would make amends - his two-goal bursts in both matches led the Lady to victory.
WHAT A WAY TO CLOSE 1973!
30 December 1973, the last game of the year, saw Juventus collect all the points from a trailing position. Behind by a goal, Juventus were inspired by Altafini, and not just for his finishes in the 25th and 63rd minutes. The following day José must have been delighted with the press review. The newspaper 'Stampa Sera' lauded the Brazilian's show, with two goals from headers and an all round performance that teased Sampdoria to the point of putting their defenders in a spin.
SEEING DOUBLE
One year later, in November 1974, the script was reproduced, but with an extra added touch. Again Sampdoria struck first, again a one-two from Altafini turned the tables on the hosts before Pietro Anastasi put the result beyond doubt. The 36-year-old striker was making the most of his vast experience as he fired home a third successive double - before silencing Marassi, he had scored twice against Hibernian in Scotland and had bagged another brace at home to Ascoli.
HEAD AND FOOT COMBINATION
Altafini's two goals against the Blucerchiati were captured, as was the way back in the day before multi-angled instant replays, by a sketch in the publication 'Hurra Juventus'. The drawing perfectly catches the pure class of José's finishing: control with the right foot, finish with the left, leaving the goalkeeper clutching at fresh air. The second goal, instead, came from a glancing header from an Anastasi cross.
Heads up, José!
