Simone Inzaghi

Simone Inzaghi (born 5 April 1976) is an Italian former footballer who played as a striker, and the current manager of Lazio.

He played for a host of clubs during his professional career, including Piacenza and Lazio (where he remained for more than a decade, being used irregularly and being later sent on several loan spells). He gained three caps for Italy, during as many years.

Playing career

Born in Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Inzaghi started playing professionally in 1993 with hometown club Piacenza Calcio, although he did not get to play any games with the first team in that season. The following year, he was loaned out to third division side Carpi FC 1909; his first goal arrived in 1995–96, whilst at the service of Novara Calcio in the fourth level.

After two more loan stints, at lowly A.C. Lumezzane and U.S. Brescello, Inzaghi returned to Piacenza and appeared in his first competitive match (also his first Serie A match) during 1998–99. He finished the campaign with 15 goals from 30 appearances.

Inzaghi was signed by S.S. Lazio for the next season, and had a productive first year by scoring seven times in the league and nine in just 11 UEFA Champions League games (including four in a single game against Olympique de Marseille on 14 March 2000, with which he equaled the competition record held by Marco van Basten since 1992). He also made his debut for the Italian national team two weeks later against Spain, as his team went on to win both the Scudetto and the Italian Cup, with the player helping them conquer the latter trophy again in 2004; in September of that year, he extended his contract until June 2009.

Midway through 2004–05, Inzaghi was involved in a six-month player exchange, with Fabio Bazzani going to U.C. Sampdoria. He returned to Lazio for the 2005–06 campaign and stayed for the following, with only twelve appearances combined.

The following season, Inzaghi joined Atalanta B.C. on loan. Although he struggled to find his form early on, he managed to play in 19 league contests, mostly as a second-half substitute, but did not find the net.

Inzaghi returned to Lazio in 2008–09, despite not being in the plans of manager Delio Rossi. A move away did not materialize and, despite few pre-season trainings with the squad, he remained on payroll, making his comeback in a 2–0 domestic cup win over former team Atalanta. Just three days later, he made his first league appearance of the season, coming from the bench and scoring an equaliser two minutes from time to rescue a point against U.S. Lecce, in a 1–1 home draw; it was his first Serie A goal since September 2004, but he would only appear in 12 games over the course of two years, choosing to retire in the 2010 summer at the age of 34.

Style of play

Throughout his career, Simone Inzaghi's playing style was compared to that of his older brother, Filippo, and Paolo Rossi. Although he was not particularly skilful from a technical standpoint, Simone was a tall and fast striker, with a slender physique, who was mainly known for his eye for goal, ability to play on the edge of the offside trap, and clinical finishing inside the penalty area, in particular from close range, due to his opportunism and positional sense.

Managerial career

Following his retirement, Inzaghi remained with Lazio, coaching its Allievi and Primavera sides. On 3 April 2016, he was appointed at the senior team following the sacking of Stefano Pioli.

For the 2016–17 campaign, Inzaghi was originally replaced by Marcelo Bielsa. However, as the Argentine left his post after less than one week due to undisclosed reasons, he was named as permanent manager.

Personal life

Inzaghi's older brother, Filippo, is also a football manager and a former striker. Also having started with Piacenza, he played for more than a decade with A.C. Milan, appearing more than 50 times for Italy and helping the national team win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

He has one son, Tommaso (born 29 April 2001), with model and actress Alessia Marcuzzi.

Career statistics

Club

International

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

• Serie C2: 1995–96

• Serie A: 1999–2000
• Coppa Italia: 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2008–09
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2000, 2009
• UEFA Super Cup: 1999