Sergio Battistini
Italian footballer (born 1963)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sergio Battistini (Italian pronunciation: [ˈsɛrdʒo battiˈstiːni]; born 7 May 1963) is an Italian former professional association footballer who played as a defender or on occasion as a midfielder. He works as an association football manager.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 May 1963 | ||
| Place of birth | Massa, Italy | ||
| Position | Full-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1980–1985 | Milan | 162 | (29) |
| 1985–1990 | Fiorentina | 127 | (7) |
| 1990–1994 | Internazionale | 112 | (10) |
| 1994–1996 | Brescia | 37 | (2) |
| 1996–1997 | Spezia | 17 | (1) |
| Total | 455 | (49) | |
| International career | |||
| 1981–1984 | Italy U-21 | 14 | (1) |
| 1984 | Italy | 4 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Battistini was born in Massa. Throughout his career, he played for several Italian clubs, such as A.C. Milan, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Brescia, and Spezia, usually as a sweeper.[1] After growing up in the Milan youth squad, alongside Alberigo Evani, he joined the Milan senior side in 1980, and played for the club during a difficult period in the club's history, only winning two Serie B titles in 1981 and 1983, and a Mitropa Cup in 1982.[2] After leaving the club in 1985, he played with Fiorentina, where he reached the 1990 UEFA Cup Final during his final season with the club.[3] He later won the trophy twice with Inter in 1991 and 1994, where he remained until 1994, before moving to Brescia for two seasons.[4]
On 20 January 1985, in a league match against Udinese Calcio, Battistini suffered an injury and had to be substituted at half-time. His replacement was the legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini, who made his Milan debut during the same match.[5] Maldini remained at the club until 2009.
Following his retirement as a player after a single season with Spezia in 1997, Battistini pursued a coaching career.[6]
International career
At international level, Battistini represented the Italy Under-21 side 14 times under Azeglio Vicini, scoring 1 goal; he made his debut in 1981, and later represented his country at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where they managed a fourth-place finish. He made four appearances for the senior Italy national football team, all in 1984, scoring once. He made his international debut under Enzo Bearzot on 4 February 1984 in a 5–0 home win in an international friendly match against Mexico, played in Rome. He scored his only international goal in a 2–0 away win over Canada on 26 May 1984, in Toronto.[7][8]
