Fabio Cudicini, known as the “Black Spider,” was one of the most iconic goalkeepers in Italian football history. His career, crowned with success at AC Milan, left an indelible mark on the sport. His elegance, charisma, and extraordinary performances made him a legend not only among Rossoneri fans but across the entire European football scene. Today, we honor his life, his career, and the legacy he left behind.
The Black Spider has left the field for the last time. Fabio Cudicini, one of the most iconic goalkeepers in Italian football history, passed away yesterday in Milan at the age of 89. Born in Trieste and standing 1.91 meters tall, he was renowned for his elegant style, kindness, and wit. Nicknamed the “Black Spider,” he played for Udinese, Roma, and Brescia before joining AC Milan at the age of 32, when many believed he was at the twilight of his career. Defying expectations, he went on to play five more seasons with the Rossoneri, winning everything: the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, the Cup Winners’ Cup, the European Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.
The beginnings and the move to Milan
Born in Trieste on October 20, 1935, Fabio Cudicini began his career with Udinese in the 1955-56 season. After playing for Roma and Brescia, he joined Milan in 1967, at a time when many considered him to be “at the end of his career.” However, it was with the Rossoneri that he experienced his most memorable moments, winning every national and international trophy available at the time.
The night of Manchester (May 15, 1969)
The legend of the “Black Spider” came to life in Manchester, at Old Trafford, on May 15, 1969, during the second leg of the European Cup semifinal. After Milan’s 2-0 victory at San Siro (goals by Sormani and Hamrin), the return leg became the stage for one of Fabio Cudicini’s greatest performances.
Cudicini would later recall: “There was a constant, dull noise, and those people were out of their minds. They threw everything at me: strips of steel hooks that embedded themselves in the ground in front of my goal. Some hit my back and bounced off. Manchester attacked relentlessly, and I tried to clear the hooks. I was afraid to dive to the ground; those hooks could have injured me badly. My back was already in bad shape, but I didn’t back down. Then, a coil of wire hit me, and I almost passed out. Dr. Monti came over and asked, ‘Fabio, can you go on?’ I couldn’t understand anything, but the thought of leaving the field to the young Vecchi gave me the strength. I got up in pain and said, ‘I can do it, I can do it.’”
That night was an epic battle. Roberto Rosato, known as “Angel Face,” was attacked by the fierce Nobby Stiles, nicknamed Nosferatu, and lost two teeth. When the doctor asked him, “Are you okay, Robi?” he calmly replied, “It’s nothing, just two teeth.”
At the end of the match, Manchester United manager Matt Busby commented on the Italian goalkeeper’s extraordinary performance: “There was Spider-Man on the pitch; there was nothing more we could do. We had already seen this goalkeeper when he played against Celtic. Fantastic. We thought: he’s like Yashin, a great spider dressed in black. But we also thought: we are Manchester United, and spiders—any spiders—we can crush and burn. Instead, we were wrong. Great goalkeepers change the flow of matches. He did that, and he will win the European Cup.”
Cudicini, indomitable, saved everything: balls, thrown objects, and even the hostility of the English crowd. Milan lost 1-0, but it was enough to advance and ultimately win the European Cup. That night crowned Fabio Cudicini as the “Black Spider,” a legend of football built on strength, courage, and resilience.
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, January 9, 2025