Pietro Battara, Sampdoria’s “Batman,” has died

Sampdoria and Italian soccer mourn Pietro Battara: the legendary goalkeeper for the Blucerchiati—who also played for Vicenza and Bologna during his career—has died at the age of 90.

The Turin-born goalkeeper, nicknamed “Batman,” played 190 Serie A matches for Sampdoria between 1961 and 1972, and after retiring, he served for many years as the goalkeeping coach for the Ligurian club: one of the pioneers in a role that was not yet widespread or specialized in Italy.

Here is Sampdoria’s official statement: “The fiery shield stitched over the heart and a jersey that defined an era. The black jersey, the blue collar, and the blue cuffs: in goal, needless to say, was Battara. From Batman to a pioneer of goalkeeper coaches, through dives, rushes off the line, and advice—low saves and high saves. This—and more—was Pietro Piero Battara for Unione Calcio Sampdoria. 243 appearances that made him a true Blucerchiati legend. A legend who passed away today at the age of 90, but who will remain forever in our club’s history.”

“Born in Turin on July 21, 1936, but having fled early on with his family to Bomporto, in the Modena area, he returned to Piedmont once World War II had ended. And, somewhat by chance, on the small fields of Turin’s parish youth centers, he began his career as the number one goalkeeper. He entered professional soccer thanks to Vicenza, which transferred him to Sampdoria in 1961. It wasn’t love at first sight: in fact, he had to wait a few seasons and the arrival of Fulvio Bernardini as coach to secure the starting spot, but once he did, Piero never let it go. Blessed with a powerful physique, quick reflexes, and extraordinary courage, Battara became an idol of the South Stand during the season of the club’s immediate promotion to Serie A (’66/67) and the subsequent relegation battles, shining above all in memorable matches against Napoli at the “San Paolo.”

“Transferred to Bologna in ’72 and retiring in ’74, he pioneered the role of dedicated goalkeeper coach at Coverciano, a role in which he returned to Genoa as part of the coaching staff of his former Sampdoria teammate Vujadin Boškov, where for years he mentored the greatest goalkeeper of all time: Gianluca Pagliuca, who today, like us, mourns him with deep emotion and gratitude as a true mentor. The club extends its deepest condolences to the Battara family, to his son Massimo, and to his grandson Daniele.”