Perhaps few remember this defender who was immediately converted by coach Amaral to his distinct Brazilian 4-2-4 formation. For the layman, this system often suggested a confusing mix of numbers and roles, and some coaches felt the same. However, this South American-inspired Juventus squad captivated many with their exotic tactics for a significant period. Competitors watched with curiosity and a degree of respect as this team employed interchangeable half-backs and a left-back, often Noletti, wearing the number six.
Conveniently, the former AC Milan player interpreted the role exactly as his coach desired: with tenacity and flair. He also adapted well to the revolutionary zone marking system, a concept that felt like a punch in the gut to proponents of rigid man-marking. He would make fourteen appearances by the end of that unusual season, marked by Amaral`s innovative approaches, and some of these performances were truly memorable.
His debut in the black and white stripes was particularly fortunate. The team was thriving after a poor start, sitting jointly at the top of the table with Inter and Bologna. On November 25, 1962, at the Cibali stadium in Catania, the home side was overwhelmed by Juventus, despite Del Sol having an off day. The match ended 5-1, and Noletti played a considerable part in the victory, demonstrating commendable discipline and tactical awareness.
Confirmation of his quality arrived fifteen days later, again in Sicily, where Juventus only failed to secure a win because the referee allowed Palermo a goal scored by Borjesson from a clearly offside position. This time, alongside Noletti, played another promising young player, Giovannino Sacco, whom we would hear about again, though not always under positive circumstances. The difficult day at San Siro (a 0-1 loss to Inter, marking a significant setback in the title race) offered mixed signals, but Noletti handled himself well against Jair, a notoriously elusive player with an erratic dribbling style. An newspaper of the era described his performance: “He can boast of having made life difficult for Jair, which is truly an accomplishment.”
He even scored a fine goal in the home victory against Genoa (2-0 on January 20, 1963), allowing himself a small moment of relief. “Perhaps it was really necessary for me to score,” he exclaimed after the match, “so that someone would notice I was here too, and so that they would stop showering me with so many criticisms. I am particularly happy for this reason.”
Perhaps the fact that he was only at Juventus on loan (a one-year exchange deal sending Juventus winger Rossano to Milan and Noletti to Juve) worked against him. As the season drew to a close and the Scudetto race was effectively over with Inter leading, he sometimes had to yield his spot to young players from the academy being tested for future roles. Nevertheless, his farewell to the Bianconeri fans was as positive as his debut, marked by a more than good performance in the victorious home match against Vicenza (2-0).
Recalling his career, he once stated, “I was 18 when I debuted for Milan after the Olympics, which didn`t go too well because I wasn`t at my best. I then went on loan to Lazio in Serie B and had an excellent year in the capital, which sparked interest from Juventus. My registration was owned by Milan, and that year there had already been an exchange between Mora and Salvadore, so my move was a loan; the two clubs agreed to an exchange between me and Rossano, another member of the Olympic national team, and I went to Turin. Boniperti wanted me at Juventus, and it`s important to remember that back then players didn`t have the decision-making power they do now. That year I was doing military service, and after the CAR [military training], I started playing for Juventus.”
“The coach was Amaral, and we played zone marking; this helped me showcase my technical skills. There were many quality players in that team: there was Sivori, who was my best man at my wedding, but also Del Sol, Leoncini, Salvadore, and many others. We dominated the first half of the season, even decisively beating Herrera`s Inter. Then, at Christmas, Juventus asked to acquire my contract permanently, and Gianni Brera started mocking Milan because they weren`t doing well and had many valuable players out on loan to other teams. The reference, clearly, included my situation, and Gipo Viani was so upset by this article that he stopped the potential market operation.”
“I had arrived at Milan at 15, but I was truly happy at Juventus and would have gladly stayed. Giampiero Boniperti, who was a director at Juventus in those years, had in the meantime stopped me from playing certain games to try and lower Milan`s asking price, but then Brera`s article came and shuffled the cards. Sivori wanted me to stay. He recommended me to the management; he thought highly of me because he wanted to be surrounded by players who understood his way of playing. He always told me: `I`ll go against the defenders behind, I`ll create a wall, I`ll break away two meters and get the ball from you. You just know you have to give me the ball.` I was the only one who instantly understood him, and he clicked perfectly with me.”
He returned to Milan reluctantly but stayed there for 4 years marred by various injuries. The most significant was at San Siro against Bologna. That day, he tore his tendon and was sidelined for two years, as modern surgical techniques didn`t exist then.
His son Roberto recalls, “My father`s career was short, but before the injury, he was considered one of the strongest modern defender-midfielders. Every time I meet Trapattoni and other former teammates, they always tell me this. He just had a difficult personality and then a lot of bad luck. Regarding Jair, Juventus played zone marking, which was very advanced for the time but already effective; in fact, they finished second. So there was never a true one-on-one duel. Jair`s goal against them was a deflection. They met again multiple times in derbies, and once, when they reunited in Canada at the end of their careers, the Brazilian confided that he had always struggled against him.”
“Juventus wanted to buy him that year he was on loan and he only played a few games towards the end because they no longer had Scudetto ambitions and they kept him out to try and devalue him to buy him in the summer. Milan didn`t fall for it, and he returned to the Rossoneri. He was very happy at Juventus, and perhaps if he had stayed, like his friend Salvadore, he would have avoided that major injury for the era, as well as a poorly treated meniscus by Milan, and could have had a brilliant career.”