The Tale of Two First Sweeper-Keepers

 

The role of sweeper-keeper in modern football owes its existence to these two underrated shot-stoppers from the past.

Football today requires a nontraditional role in every position, including goalkeeper. The days of goalies passively waiting for the ball and not actively participating in the attacking phase are long gone, particularly at the highest levels. Classic goalkeepers may still thrive in mid- or low-level teams and competition, but they certainly will not survive at the elite.

Many have wondered how Germany’s Manuel Neuer or Manchester City's Ederson rolled out of the backline to engage in the attacking build-up and serve as an extra defender in recent years. In the past, the world was astounded by the impressive goalscoring record of former Sao Paulo star Rugerio Ceni, the unexpected set piece goals of Paraguayan legend Jose Luis Chilavert, or the ‘lunatic act’ of Colombia’s René Higuita between the sticks in the 1990s.

Those names could be those who made their mark on modern football as the sweeper-keeper or the eccentric goalie. However, they are not the first to take on such a role. In fact, it existed a long time ago, specifically in the 1950s. These two figures below were the first, in their own way. They were so ahead of their time that their work as a shot-stopper was underappreciated or, worse, harshly criticised.

Gyula Grosics

His name may not be familiar, but he was a member of Hungary's national team during its golden era in the 1950s. The Mighty Magyar was the best team of the early decade. They won a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics and were the first team outside the British Isles to humiliate England 6-3 at Wembley Stadium before, surprisingly, losing 3-2 to West Germany in the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

Grosics was the mainstay in the Mighty Magyar and named in the 1954 World Cup all-stars as well. The former Budapest Honvedman was assigned as ‘the fourth back’ in the defence line due to therevolutionary tactics of his boss in the national team, Gusztáv Sebes. In his so-called ‘Socialist Football’, Grosics was not excluded from the outfield players’ task. Everyone must be involved of defence and attack. Such was later adopted by the Netherlands in their famous Total Football.

Here’s what Grosics notably excelled at, which inspired the role of sweeper-keeper:

• Moving out of the penalty box to tackle the attackers from the opposition sides when necessary.
• Reading the game from the backline to help the build-up.
• Distributing the ball with his feet to slowly initiate the attack.

Despite his advanced role, the goalie with 86 international caps seemed to be unable to replicate the success once Sebes parted ways in 1956. Hungary was no longer as fearful as it once was, and the role of the Grosics had become somewhat forgotten in their homeland.

The goalkeeper, who used to study to be a priest before switching to football, still played for Magyar in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. Unfortunately, they were unable to go through the knockout stage and semifinals, respectively. Grosics then retired in 1962 with Tatabányai SC serving as his last club as well as the first one in his brief managerial career in the following year. The club, which currently competes in the Hungarian third-tier league, named its stadium after him in 2011.

Amadeo Carizzo

Unlike his European counterpart, who took on the sweeper-keeper role as a result of his manager's strategy, Carizzo created such an extraordinary role on his own. He is regarded as the father of the 'eccentric custodian,' also known as 'El Loco,' the South American version of sweeper-keeper.

Still, he was more than that. In fact, the goalkeeper known as 'La Maquina' was the first to use the techniques that modern goalkeepers employ. Here’s what Carizzo contributed to revolutionising the man between the sticks.

• Dribbling the ball to leave the penalty box
• Organising the defensive line actively
• Initiating a quick attack from the goal kick
• An unorthodox move to save or deny the shots
• Feigning an offside call to trick the opponents
• Throwing the ball with one arm only
• The first one to wear gloves

Such qualities, including mind games and unusual technique, have undoubtedly inspired the likes of Hugo Gatti, René Higuita, Jose Luis Chilavert, and perhaps Emiliano Martinez too. It has been the distinguishing feature of El Loco goalkeepers, which may only be well-credited in South America, where eccentricity and creativity are welcome to collide. 

However, in terms of silverware, Carrizzo had won less than his successors. He did lift the Argentina league title seven times with River Plate in 1945, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955-1957, with his first two not as the team’s number one shot-stopper. Unfortunately, he was unable to help them clinch the Copa Libertadores title in 1966, as they lost to Uruguay’s Penarol. 

His appearance on the international stage was even far from impressive. He did not win a single trophy for Argentina. In fact, he was only capped 20 times, making his debut at the age of 28 in 1954, and is notoriously remembered for conceding six goals against Czechoslovakia in the 1958 World Cup. He was even treated unfairly and blamed by the fans for their 6-1 loss, which is Albiceleste’s worst defeat to date in their world cup history.

After he hung his gloves in 1970, Carizzo did attempt to be a manager. Sadly, it was only short-lived since it ended in the same year as he started, in 1973. He was able to lead Deportivo Armenio to the fourth tier of the Argentine league system but failed while taking charge of Colombia’s Once Caldas in the top flight.