Introduction
Fabio Cudicini (born 20 October 1935) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper from 1955 to 1973. With his 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) he was one of the tallest goalkeepers of his time. He is also regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, and as one of Italy's best ever goalkeepers. Cudicini is mostly remembered for his highly successful and dominant stint with A.C. Milan, and he is one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in the club's history, helping them win the 1969 European Cup Final in particular.
Club career
Born in Trieste, Cudicini played for Milan from 1967–73, making 183 appearances, and achieving notable domestic and international success; with the club, he won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1968, the European Cup in 1969, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1969, as well as the Serie A in 1968, and the Coppa Italia in 1972. He had previously also played for Udinese (1955–58), Roma (1958–66) and Brescia (1966–67). With Roma he won a Coppa Italia in 1964, and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1960–61.
International career
Despite his club achievements, Cudicini never played for the Italian national team, mainly because of the contemporary presence of several other notable players in his role such as Dino Zoff, Lorenzo Buffon and Enrico Albertosi.
Style of play
A spectacular and athletic goalkeeper, who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, and as one of Italy's and Milan's greatest ever goalkeepers, Cudicini was known for his agility, reactions, and shot-stopping ability as a goalkeeper, as well as his tall, slender build and long limbs. He frequently wore all-black goalkeeping attire, which along with his goalkeeping abilities, earned him the nickname Il Ragno Nero ('The Black Spider'), which also belonged to Lev Yashin.
Personal life
Fabio Cudicini is the father of former Chelsea, Tottenham, and Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. He is also the son of ex Ponziana Trieste defender Guglielmo Cudicini (deceased).
Honours
Club
- Coppa Italia: 1963–64
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1960–61
- Serie A: 1967–68
- Coppa Italia: 1971–72
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1967–68
- European Cup: 1968–69
- Intercontinental Cup: 1969
Individual
- A.C. Milan Hall of Fame