- Lazio had lost a point on Juventus, who had beaten Cesena 2-0 away, but with one less match to play, it now seemed like a two-horse race for the Scudetto.
In Memory: Can Bartu
Can Bartu was born in Istanbul on January 30, 1936. His sporting career is notable for his initial focus on basketball before transitioning to football. He played for Fenerbahçe in basketball and even represented Turkey at the national level.
Encouraged by Fenerbahçe’s football manager to try his hand at football, Bartu quickly found success in both sports. He once famously played two games in one day—scoring two goals in football and ten points in basketball.
In the mid-1950s, he decided to concentrate solely on football and spent five seasons with Fenerbahçe, making 114 league appearances and scoring 54 goals while winning two league titles (1959 and 1961).
In summer 1961, he moved to Italy to join Fiorentina after nearly signing with Lazio. Under Hungarian manager Nándor Hidegkuti, Fiorentina finished third that season and were runners-up in the Cup Winners’ Cup against Atlético Madrid while also winning the Mitropa Cup. Bartu contributed with limited appearances but made an impact nonetheless.
He later joined Venezia but faced relegation before returning briefly to Fiorentina. In 1964 he signed with Lazio where he experienced mixed fortunes over three seasons before returning again to Fenerbahçe as they faced relegation from Serie A.
Bartu retired from professional football at age 34 after a successful career that included playing for Turkey’s national team across both sports—making him one of few athletes recognized for excelling in multiple disciplines.
After retirement from playing professionally, he became a respected sports journalist known for his insights into Turkish sports culture.
Bartu passed away on April 11, 2019—a legacy remembered fondly by fans of both Turkish basketball and Italian football alike.
Birthdays This Week
- Martin Caceres (7-4-1987) – Defender from Uruguay; made 18 appearances scoring 1 goal during the 2018-19 season.
- Marco Piovanelli (7-4-1974) – Midfielder from Italy; recorded 37 appearances between 1995–97.
- Edson Braafheid (8/4/1983) – Dutch defender; featured in 23 matches during his time at Lazio (2014–16) without scoring.
- Paolo Carosi (8/4/1938) – Midfielder who played over several years totaling up to 202 appearances, netting only about three goals between (1958–68) including managing during (1983–84) season.
… [List continues]
This week serves as a reminder of significant moments within Lazio’s history alongside honoring players who have contributed greatly throughout their careers!The match between Napoli and Lazio was a thrilling encounter, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams. The game ended in a 3-3 draw, with each side demonstrating their attacking prowess. Giorgio Chinaglia played a pivotal role for Lazio, scoring twice and helping his team come back from behind on three occasions.
Napoli initially took the lead with goals from Clerici and Juliano, but Lazio responded strongly each time they fell behind. Chinaglia’s acrobatic header equalized the score at 1-1, while his volley brought the score to 2-2 just before halftime. The second half saw Napoli awarded a controversial penalty that Clerici converted to make it 3-2, but Franco Nanni equalized for Lazio again with another penalty kick.
Despite both teams pushing for a winner in the final minutes, neither could find the decisive goal. The draw left Napoli struggling in their title chase while solidifying Lazio’s position near the top of the table alongside Juventus.
In memory of Can Bartu, who passed away on April 11, 2019, we reflect on his unique sporting career that spanned basketball and football. Bartu was known for his skillful play as a midfielder/winger during his time at clubs like Fenerbahçe and Fiorentina before finishing his career at Lazio.
This week also marks several birthdays of notable players associated with various clubs over different eras in football history.
