Valerio Bacigalupo

Bacigalupo started his club career with his home province side Savona. After a brief spell at Genoa he moved to Torino where he won Serie A four times in a row.

Bacigalupo was called up in the Italy national team five times between 1947 and 1949, making his senior international debut in a 3–1 win over Czechoslovakia on 14 December 1947.

Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Bacigalupo was a modern and world-class goalkeeper, who revolutionised his position in Italy. A precocious talent, he was known for his strong physique, reactions and excellent positional sense, as well as his athletic diving saves. In addition to being an outstanding shot-stopper, he was also a dominant goalkeeper, known for his ability to come off his line to collect crosses.

Valerio Bacigalupo's older brother, Manlio Bacigalupo, also played professional football before the Second World War, also serving as a goalkeeper for Genoa and Torino. Valerio died in the Superga air disaster with most of the Grande Torino team, which also formed a large part in the Italy national team at the time, which was scheduled to take part at the 1950 FIFA World Cup.