Alberto Gilardino

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Alberto Gilardino
Gilardino Alberto.jpg
Gilardino pictured in 2008
Personal information
Full name Alberto Gilardino[1]
Date of birth (1982-07-05) 5 July 1982 (age 30)
Place of birth Biella, Italy
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Bologna
Number 10
Youth career
Piacenza
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1999–2000 Piacenza 17 (3)
2000–2002 Verona 39 (5)
2002–2005 Parma 96 (50)
2005–2008 Milan 94 (36)
2008–2012 Fiorentina 118 (48)
2012– Genoa 14 (4)
2012– → Bologna (loan) 35 (13)
National team‡
2000–2004 Italy U-21 30 (19)
2004– Italy 53 (18)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 March 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20:44, 16 June 2013 (UTC)

Alberto Gilardino, Ufficiale OMRI[2][3] (Italian pronunciation: [alˈbɛrto dʒilarˈdino]; born 5 July 1982) is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Bologna and the Italian national team.

In his early career, he was compared to Filippo Inzaghi,[4] and Christian Vieri described him as the fusion of both players. Gilardino currently holds the record for being the youngest player to have scored 100 goals in Serie A.

With Milan he has won the UEFA Champions League 2006-07, 2007 UEFA Super Cup and the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup. He was named Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2004 , Serie A Footballer of the Year and the Italian Footballer of the Year in 2005.

Gilardino has represented Italy at under-19, under-20, under-21, and senior levels. He was part of the 2006 FIFA World Cup winning-squad and has also participated at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Contents

Club career[edit]

Early years[edit]

Gilardino started his career at Piacenza, playing his first match in Serie A in the 1999–2000 season. That first season he made 17 league appearances and scored 3 goals.

"Gila", as he is often nicknamed, was sold to Verona in 2000 in co-ownership, for 7.5 billion Italian lire.[5] Despite his young age, he scored five goals in his two seasons at the club where he made 39 league appearances. But Gilardino was already attracted Verona to sign in full in June 2001,[6] for another 7 billion lire.[7] After Martin Laursen was bought back in June 2001 by Parma, Anthony Šerić was sold to Verona in a co-ownership deal, then Gilardino was also bought by Parma in a co-ownership deal during 2001–02 season and loaned back to Verona.

He also faced a car accident which ruled him out of the season in April 2001.[8]

Parma[edit]

His career was launched on the international stage in 2002, as Parma bought the remained 50% registration rights and gave Šerić back to Verona.[9] Later Adrian Mutu, his team-mate at Verona was also signed, to replace the exit of Marco Di Vaio. Under Cesare Prandelli, who later bought him to La viola, Gilardino scored five goals in his first season, and netted 23 times in his second season, after the exit of Adriano. That total in the 2003–04 campaign made him the second-most prolific Serie A scorer. The success in club level and U-21 level earned him a contract extension until June 2007.[10] He repeated this feat in 2004–05, scoring another 23 goals and finishing as the second-best scorer in Serie A once again. He scored 50 goals for Parma in only 96 appearances in Serie A.

Milan[edit]

He made a €25 million transfer to A.C. Milan on 17 July 2005.[11][12] Though he scored 17 domestic goals for Milan, he failed to find his offensive form in Milan's 2005–06 UEFA Champions League campaign, going goal-less in all 12 matches.[13] Gilardino's European offensive output the next season was equally disappointing, with only two goals. One of his two goals, though, helped Milan seal a decisive 3–0 win over Manchester United in the second leg of the semi-finals on 3 May 2007, which put them back into the Champions League final and set up a rematch with Liverpool. He played only two minutes as a substitute for Filippo Inzaghi in Milan's 2–1 victory. Gilardino led Milan in 2006–07 Serie A scoring with 12 goals; no other Milan player hit double figures.

Gilardino contributed a brace in Milan's 5–1 defeat of Lazio on 7 October 2007 (which marked his first domestic goal following a double in Milan's 5–2 victory over Ascoli on 18 April), and likewise for his first Champions League scores of the season in a 4–1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on 24 October. With Milan, Gilardino was considered a strong front man who was adept at holding the ball and leading attacks.[14]

Fiorentina[edit]

Gilardino during a 3–0 loss to Lazio on 24 September 2008.

On 25 May 2008, Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino confirmed that a deal to sign Gilardino from Milan had been completed.[15] On 28 May 2008, the deal was confirmed; Gilardino moved for €15 million[16] and signed a five-year deal. Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli previously guided Gilardino when the pair were with Parma. His first goal with the Violas arrived in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League against Slavia Prague, where he scored the second goal of the match. On 31 August, Gilardino scored on his Serie A debut against Juventus in the 89th minute to tie the game at 1–1. In the successive league match, he supplied an assist to Adrian Mutu to open the score in the match against Napoli, but Fiorentina still finished on the losing side by suffering a 1–2 defeat at the Stadio San Paolo. In the first match from the Champions League group stages against the French of Olympique Lyonnais, he scored two goals in the first half to give Fiorentina a two-goal cushion, only to be cancelled by two second-half goals from Frédéric Piquionne and Karim Benzema. Gilardino finished the 2008–09 season with 19 Serie A goals and was instantly beloved by the Viola faithful. Among the highlights of his season was a double against Roma and an astonishing tight angle shot against Genoa while being marked by three defenders.[17] Gilardino had an exceptional campaign in the Champions League the following season, first scoring a dramatic late goal to give Fiorentina a 2–2 tie at Sporting Lisbon, then against Debrecen, and then scoring in the third minute of stoppage time against Liverpool in the final match day of the group phase at Anfield, which gave Fiorentina a coveted first place finish at the expense of Lyon. On 27 February 2011, Gilardino scored his 200th career goal in a match against Bari.

Genoa[edit]

On 3 January 2012 Gilardino penned a four-and-a-half-year contract with his new employers; Genoa, and costed €8million.[18][19] Gilardino has chosen 82 as his shirt number.[20] Gilardino scored four goals in 14 appearances at Genoa in the second half of the 2011–2012 Serie A Season.

Bologna[edit]

On 31 August 2012, Gilardino switched clubs again, joining Bologna for an undisclosed fee.[21] Gilardino netted a brace on 16 September, helping his new side overcome a 2–0 haftime deficit to defeat Roma 3–2 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.[22] Gilardino scored his second brace for Bologna, in their 4–0 defeat of Catania on 30 September, bringing his goal tally to five in five games.[23] Gilardino scored his sixth goal for Bologna on 18 November, opening the scoring in a comfortable 3–0 defeat of Palermo, earning his new club a much needed three points.[24]

Gilardino led Bologna to a much needed win on on 12 January 2013, netting a brace in the side's 4–0 defeat of Chievo Verona.[25] He powered the club to a 1–0 defeat of Inter Milan on 10 March, scoring with a classy volley from a Diego Pérez cross, firmly establishing Bologna in mid-table and easing their relegation fears.[26]

International career[edit]

Gilardino played with Italy in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, winning the bronze medal. He also led Italy's Under 21 team to victory in the 2004 European Under-21 Football Championship.

Gilardino is currently the all-time top scorer for the Italy National Under-21 team.

He was a member of the Italy squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played in the first two matches, scoring a goal against the United States with a diving header, then coming on as a substitute in the semifinal match against Germany, hitting the post in extra time and providing the assist for Alessandro Del Piero's stoppage-time goal two minutes after the first goal sealing the Azzurri's 2–0 victory.

On 17 October 2007, Gilardino assumed the team captaincy for the first time in his international career after Daniele De Rossi was substituted during Italy's 2–0 friendly win over South Africa. He returned to the national team on 20 August 2008 and scored the first of Italy's two goals in an international friendly against Austria, which ended in a 2–2 draw.

In June 2009, Marcello Lippi called Gilardino up for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Gilardino played a friendly match against New Zealand in Pretoria, South Africa days before Italy's first match, netting two goals and displaying a wonderful performance.

On 10 October 2009, Gilardino scored what he describes as the most important goal of his career so far, scoring in the 89th minute against Ireland. This enabled them (Italy) to qualify for the 2010 World Cup to try to defend the title they won in 2006.

On 14 October 2009, Gilardino scored a hat trick in the final 13 minutes of the game against Cyprus to cap a 3–2 victory for Italy.

Gilardino was part of the Italian 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. He started Italy's first game on the group stage against Paraguay. World Cup 2010 was a disaster for Italy and the team was eliminated in the group stage. As result of his good form after his arrival at Bologna Gilardino has been called back in the national team, alongside his team mate Diamanti, by Prandelli now coach of the Azzurri.

In June 2013 he was called up for 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Honours[edit]

Club[edit]

Milan
National team
Individual

Career statistics[edit]

Correct as of 27 January 2013.
Club Season Domestic
League		 Domestic
Cup		 European
Competition1		 Other
Tournaments2		 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Piacenza 1999–00 17 3 - - - - - - 17 3
2000 - - 3 2 - - - - 3 2
Total 17 3 3 2 – – – – 20 5
Verona 2000–01 22+2 3+0 1 1 - - - - 23 4
2001–02 17 2 2 1 - - - - 19 3
Total 39 5 3 2 – – – – 42 7
Parma 2002–03 24 4 2 1 2 0 - - 28 5
2003–04 34 23 2 0 4 3 - - 40 26
2004–05 38+1 23+1 1 0 8 1 - - 47 24
Total 96 50 5 1 14 4 – – 115 55
Milan 2005–06 34 17 3 2 10 0 - - 47 19
2006–07 30 12 4 2 11 2 - - 45 16
2007–08 30 7 1 0 8 2 1 0 40 9
Total 94 36 8 4 29 4 1 0 132 44
Fiorentina 2008–09 35 19 1 0 10 6 - - 46 25
2009–10 36 15 3 0 9 4 - - 48 19
2010–11 35 12 1 0 - - - - 36 12
2011–12 12 2 1 1 - - - - 12 3
Total 118 48 6 1 19 10 – – 143 59
Genoa 2011–12 14 4 0 0 0 0 - - 14 4
2012–13 0 0 1 0 0 0 - - 1 0
Total 14 4 1 0 0 0 – – 15 4
Bologna 2012–13 36 13 1 0 0 0 - - 37 13
Total 36 13 1 0 0 0 – – 37 13
Career total 414+3 159+1 27 10 61 18 2 0 508 188

1European Competitions include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
2Other Tournaments include the FIFA Club World Cup.

[27][28]

Italy national team
Year Apps Goals
2004 4 1
2005 8 4
2006 11 4
2007 2 0
2008 5 1
2009 9 6
2010 6 1
2011 2 0
2012 - -
2013 5 1
Total 52 18

International goals[edit]

Alberto Gilardino international goals.[29]

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 13 October 2004 Parma, Italy  Belarus 4–3 Win FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualification
2. 9 February 2005 Cagliari, Italy  Russia 2–0 Win Friendly
3. 17 August 2005 Dublin, Ireland  Republic of Ireland 1–2 Win Friendly
4. 12 October 2005 Lecce, Italy  Moldova 2–1 Win FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualification
5. 12 November 2005 Amsterdam, Netherlands  Netherlands 1–3 Win Friendly
6. 1 March 2006 Florence, Italy  Germany 4–1 Win Friendly
7. 30 April 2006 Geneva, Switzerland  Switzerland 1–1 Draw Friendly
8. 17 June 2006 Kaiserslautern, Germany  United States 1–1 Draw 2006 FIFA World Cup
9. 6 September 2006 Saint-Denis, France  France 1–3 Loss UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
10. 20 August 2008 Nice, France  Austria 2–2 Draw Friendly
11. 10 June 2009 Pretoria, South Africa  New Zealand 4–3 Win Friendly
12. 10 June 2009 Pretoria, South Africa  New Zealand 4–3 Win Friendly
13. 10 October 2009 Dublin, Ireland  Republic of Ireland 2–2 Draw FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification
14. 14 October 2009 Parma, Italy  Cyprus 1–2 Win FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification
15. 14 October 2009 Parma, Italy  Cyprus 2–2 Win FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification
16. 14 October 2009 Parma, Italy  Cyprus 3–2 Win FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification
17. 7 September 2010 Florence, Italy  Faroe Islands 1–0 Win UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
18. 31 May 2013 Bologna, Italy  San Marino 4–0 Win Friendly

Personal life[edit]

Gilardino is close friends with former Milan teammate Daniele Bonera; they were also teammates at Parma. Gilardino once dedicated one of his goals to Daniele's baby daughter Talitha. Besides his goal-scoring, he is well-remembered for his goal celebration as well – getting on his knees and "playing the violin" at the touchline in front of the fans. He became engaged to Alice Bregoli on 31 March 2006[30] and had their first baby, a girl Ginevra, on 2 March 2008. The couple wed 5 July 2009 in Santa Margherita Ligure, in the province of Genoa. [2]. The second daughter, named Gemma, born on 19 March 2011.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 – List of Players" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Retrieved 5 June 2013. 
  2. ^ FIFA.com
  3. ^ AscotSportal.com
  4. ^ "Il Verona mette i brividi alla Roma". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 27 August 2001. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
  5. ^ Carlo Laudisa (28 September 2000). "Gillet a Bari avvicina Mancini a Napoli. Gilardino a Verona". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  6. ^ "DOPO MAURO CAMORANESI E GIUSEPPE COLUCCI, ALTRO COLPO DI MERCATO! L’HELLAS VERONA F.C. ACQUISTA PER INTERO ALBERTO GILARDINO.". Hellas Verona FC (in Italian). 16 June 2001. Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  7. ^ Carlo Laudisa , Stefano Carini (17 June 2001). "Thuram: domani il sì alla Juve". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  8. ^ Germano Mosconi (28 April 2001). "Gilardino, tragedia sfiorata". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  9. ^ "COMPROPRIETA': L'HELLAS RISCATTA MARCO CASSETTI, CLAUDIO FERRARESE RESTA AL CITTADELLA". Hellas Verona FC (in Italian). 26 June 2002. Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  10. ^ "Gilardino staying at Parma". UEFA.com. 11 August 2004. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  11. ^ "AC Milan Group 2006 annual report". AC Milan (in Italian). Archived from the original on 25 April 2011. 
  12. ^ "Gilardino 'honoured' to join Milan". UEFA.com. 18 July 2005. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  13. ^ "Gilardino gives Milan another year". UEFA.com. 2 October 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  14. ^ May, John. "AC Milan Pen Pics". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 January 2013. 
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ "Bilancio Gruppo Milan Anno 2008" [AC Milan Group 2008 Annual Report]. AC Milan (in Italian). ca. April 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2011. 
  17. ^ Pier Luig Todisco (19 September 2008). "Viola di rabbia a Lione Doppio Gilardino e poi pari". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  18. ^ ACF Fiorentina SpA Report and Accounts on 31 December 2011 (Italian)
  19. ^ "Genoa confirm Gilardino capture". 
  20. ^ "Gilardino: 'My light is back'". Football Italia. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 
  21. ^ "Gilardino leaves Genoa for Bologna". Fox News. 31 August 2012. 
  22. ^ "AS Roma 2–3 Bologna". ESPNFC. 16 September 2012. 
  23. ^ "Bologna 4 – 0 Catania". ESPNFC. 30 September 2012. 
  24. ^ "Bologna 3–0 Palermo". ESPNC. 18 November 2012. 
  25. ^ "Bologna 4–0 Chievo Verona". ESPNFC. 12 January 2013. 
  26. ^ "Internazionale 0–1 Bologna". ESPNFC. 10 March 2013. 
  27. ^ Alberto Gilardino at National-Football-Teams.com
  28. ^ http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/gilardino-intlg.html
  29. ^ F.I.G.C. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio
  30. ^ alice.it

External links[edit]

Bologna F.C. 1909 – current squad
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