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'''Riccardo Montolivo''' ({{IPA-it|rikˈkardo montoˈlivo}}; born 18 January 1985) is an Italian [[Professional sports#Association football|professional]] [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Serie A]] club [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], where he is also their captain. He has played in [[Serie A]] for [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]], [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], and his current club. An [[Italy national football team|Italian international]], Montolivo has represented his country at several major tournaments, such as the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA European Football Championship]], and the [[Olympic Games]].
'''Riccardo Montolivo''' ({{IPA-it|rikˈkardo montoˈlivo}}; born 18 January 1985) is an Italian [[Professional sports#Association football|professional]] [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Serie A]] club [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]<nowiki>, as well as captaining the side following the departure of [[Massimo Ambrosini]]. He has played in </nowiki>[[Serie A]] for [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]], [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], and his current club. An [[Italy national football team|Italian international]], Montolivo has represented his country at several major tournaments, such as the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA European Football Championship]], and the [[Olympic Games]].


A versatile player capable of playing anywhere in [[Midfielder|midfield]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Montolivo: "Italia-Germania per me è partita speciale"|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/euro_2012/2012/06/26-196419/Montolivo%3A+%26%23171%3BItalia-Germania+per+me+%26%23232%3B+partita+speciale%26%23187%3B|accessdate=5 September 2012|newspaper=Tuttosport|date=26 June 2012|language=Italian}}</ref> Montolivo's two main roles are as a [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker|deep-lying playmaker]] (''regista'') and an [[Midfielder#Attacking|attacking midfielder]] (''trequartista''), which best utilise his technical ability, creativity, and range of [[Passing (association football)|passing]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schlewitz|first=Kirsten|title=Riccardo Montolivo: Finding His Place In Italy's Squad|url=http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/6/30/3128271/riccardo-montolivo-italy-spain|publisher=SB Nation|accessdate=5 September 2012|date=30 June 2012}}</ref>
A versatile player capable of playing anywhere in [[Midfielder|midfield]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Montolivo: "Italia-Germania per me è partita speciale"|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/euro_2012/2012/06/26-196419/Montolivo%3A+%26%23171%3BItalia-Germania+per+me+%26%23232%3B+partita+speciale%26%23187%3B|accessdate=5 September 2012|newspaper=Tuttosport|date=26 June 2012|language=Italian}}</ref> Montolivo's two main roles are as a [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker|deep-lying playmaker]] (''regista'') and an [[Midfielder#Attacking|attacking midfielder]] (''trequartista''), which best utilise his technical ability, creativity, and range of [[Passing (association football)|passing]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schlewitz|first=Kirsten|title=Riccardo Montolivo: Finding His Place In Italy's Squad|url=http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/6/30/3128271/riccardo-montolivo-italy-spain|publisher=SB Nation|accessdate=5 September 2012|date=30 June 2012}}</ref>

Revision as of 10:44, 5 July 2013

Riccardo Montolivo
Montolivo pictured in 2012
Personal information
Full name Riccardo Montolivo[1]
Date of birth (1985-01-18) 18 January 1985 (age 39)[2]
Place of birth Caravaggio, Italy
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Milan
Number 18
Youth career
1992–2003 Atalanta
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Atalanta 73 (7)
2005–2012 Fiorentina 219 (17)
2012– Milan 32 (4)
International career‡
2001 Italy U16 8 (0)
2003 Italy U18 2 (0)
2004 Italy U19 4 (1)
2004–2008 Italy U21 20 (3)
2007– Italy 50 (2)
2008 Italy Olympic 4 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Italy
Association football
Silver medal – second place Poland/Ukraine 2012
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:54, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:12, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Riccardo Montolivo (Italian pronunciation: [rikˈkardo montoˈlivo]; born 18 January 1985) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Milan, as well as captaining the side following the departure of [[Massimo Ambrosini]]. He has played in Serie A for Atalanta, Fiorentina, and his current club. An Italian international, Montolivo has represented his country at several major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Football Championship, and the Olympic Games.

A versatile player capable of playing anywhere in midfield,[4] Montolivo's two main roles are as a deep-lying playmaker (regista) and an attacking midfielder (trequartista), which best utilise his technical ability, creativity, and range of passing.[5]

Club career

Atalanta

Montolivo began his career in Serie B with Atalanta. At the age of 18, he made his debut during the 2003–04 season. He played 41 matches and scored four goals, helping Atalanta gain promotion to Serie A.[3] In his first season in Serie A, he played 32 times and scored three goals.[3][6] However, his efforts were in vain as Atalanta were relegated back down to Serie B.

Fiorentina

Montolivo playing for Fiorentina in 2011
Montolivo taking a corner kick in 2008

Montolivo moved to Fiorentina in the summer of 2005. Initially, Atalanta retained part-ownership of the player but the following summer, they relinquished that option as Fiorentina took full ownership.[7]

During the 2005–06 season, Montolivo's first-team chances were limited, partly due to the fact that he was still an inexperienced player and partly because manager Cesare Prandelli had a relatively stable and reliable squad of players at his disposal.[8] The young man's talents did not go unrecognised though. He became a fixture in Italy's under-21 team, coached by Pierluigi Casiraghi.[8]

The 2007–08 season started well for the Viola midfielder; in the first match day, he was as one of the best on the field against Empoli, against which he also scored a splendid goal from a lob.[9] The season follows between ups and downs, but Montolivo confirmed himself during the course of the season as one of the best talents in Italian football.

In early 2010, due to the departures of then-captain Dario Dainelli and vice-captain Martin Jørgensen, Montolivo was appointed captain of the Tuscany-based club. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Montolivo refused to sign a contract extension, which had a year remaining.[10]

Milan

Montolivo with Kevin-Prince Boateng in 2012

In May 2012, Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri announced that Montolivo would join the club on a free transfer when his contract with Fiorentina expired on 30 June.[10][11]

"Next season, Montolivo will arrive and he is a very talented player with great technique," said Allegri to Milan Channel.[10][12]

Montolivo was highly praised for his performance in the Milan derby against Internazionale on 7 October 2012. Also in this game, the referee discarded a stunning 30-yard volley by Montolivo due to a challenge committed by Urby Emanuelson.[13]

On 30 October, Montolivo scored his first goal with Milan, coming in the 69th minute after Milan were down 2–0 to Palermo by the 47th minute after half-time in the tenth round of the 2012–13 Serie A. Milan eventually drew the match 2–2, salvaging a point.[14]

On 25 November, against Juventus, a match won 1–0 by Milan, as Daniele Bonera and Massimo Ambrosini were suspended and Christian Abbiati was injured, he played his first match as Milan's captain. A few days before this, the club's owner, Silvio Berlusconi, visited Milanello and him and the players decided that the captain band will be given either to Montolivo or to the 36-year old Colombian Mario Yepes.

On 11 June 2013, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani stated that Riccardo Montolivo would be the next captain for Milan, after previously announcing that current club captain Massimo Ambrosini would not be extending his contract with the Rossoneri.

International career

Montolivo tackling Spain's Xavi in the UEFA Euro 2012 Final

Montolivo represented Italy at under-16, under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels before receiving his first cap for the national team in 2007.[15]

Montolivo scored the winning goal when Italy's under-21 team defeated Spain 2–1 and qualified for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship on 10 October 2006. Seven days later, he made his debut for the senior team in a 2–0 friendly win against South Africa.[15][16][17] He was included in Italy's provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2008 by head coach Roberto Donadoni. He was, however, omitted from the final squad of 23 players.

In 2008, Pierluigi Casiraghi called-up Montolivo to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing. He scored one goal in four appearances as Italy were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium.[15] After playing a bit-part role at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Montolivo was included in Italy's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[1]

He started all three games at the World Cup, partnering Daniele De Rossi as a replacement for the injured Andrea Pirlo.[15]

Montolivo scored his first senior international goal in a 2–1 friendly win against Spain in Bari.[18] Montolivo made four appearances at UEFA Euro 2012 as Italy progressed to the final, where they lost 4–0 to Spain.

International goals

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 10 August 2011 Stadio San Nicola, Bari  Spain 1–0 2–1 Friendly
2. 16 October 2012 San Siro, Milan  Denmark 1–0 3–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Career statistics

Personal life

Montolivo at a press conference

Montolivo was born to a German mother and an Italian father.[19]

In addition to holding a German passport; Montolivo also holds an Italian passport – his mother is from Ascheberg and his grandparents are from Heidkate in Kieler Förde, Germany on the Baltic Sea coast, where Montolivo spent all of his summers as a youth.[19]

Montolivo speaks fluent German and has publicly stated that he is an atheist.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 – List of Players" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Riccardo Montolivo" (in Italian). A.C. Milan. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "R. Montolivo". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Montolivo: "Italia-Germania per me è partita speciale"". Tuttosport (in Italian). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  5. ^ Schlewitz, Kirsten (30 June 2012). "Riccardo Montolivo: Finding His Place In Italy's Squad". SB Nation. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Scheda anagrafica di Riccardo Montolivo" (in Italian). AIC. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Official: AC Milan sign Riccardo Montolivo & Bakaye Traore". Goal.com. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Riccardo Montolivo – Profile". UEFA. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Riccardo Montolivo – Azzurri profile". i-azzurri.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  10. ^ a b c "Milan confirm Montolivo deal". Football Italia. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Montolivo to join Milan as Van Bommel departs". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  12. ^ Matthews, Luke (12 May 2012). "AC Milan coach Allegri confirms signing of Montolivo for 2012–13 season". Goal.com. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  13. ^ Edwards, Daniel (7 October 2012). "AC Milan 0–1 Inter: Samuel header secures derby spoils for 10-man Nerazzurri". Goal.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Palermo 2 vs 2 AC Milan – Match report". Goal.com. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d "Convocazioni e presenze in campo – Riccardo Montolivo" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  16. ^ a b Montolivo.html "Riccardo Montolivo". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 10 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  17. ^ Saaid, Hamdan (18 April 2008). "International Friendly Matches 2007". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  18. ^ Martin, Andy (10 August 2011). "Fernando Torres of Chelsea suffers concussion in Spain defeat by Italy". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  19. ^ a b c "Montolivo intervistato dal Guerino: "Florenz-Star im Porträt – Riccardo Montolivo: Auf Gerrards Spuren"" (in German). Spox. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2012.

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