Riccardo Montolivo
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| Riccardo Montolivo | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Riccardo Montolivo | |
| Date of birth | January 18, 1985 | |
| Place of birth | Caravaggio, Italy | |
| Height | 1.81 m | |
| Playing position | Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | ACF Fiorentina | |
| Number | 18 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2003-2005 2005- |
Atalanta Fiorentina |
73 (7) 90 (5) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2004-2007 2007-present 2008 |
Italy U-21 Italy Olympic team |
20 (3) 1 (0) 1 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Riccardo Montolivo (born 18 January 1985 in Caravaggio, Bergamo) is an Italian footballer. He currently plays in the role of attacking midfielder for ACF Fiorentina of Serie A league. He is also nationally known as a good deep-lying forward. Riccardo is known for his excellent skill and vision, good touch with both feet and an eye for the goal.
[edit] Club career
Montolivo started his career with Atalanta. At the age of 18, he made his debut in the 2003–04 season. He played 41 matches and scored four goals in this season, and helped Atalanta to gain promotion to Serie A.
In his first season in Seria A, he played 32 times and scored three goals. However, his efforts were not enough to let Atalanta to avoid immediate relegation for the team.
Montolivo moved to Fiorentina in the summer of 2005, in a co-ownership bid. In 2006, Fiorentina got full ownership.
As he was not an experienced midfielder, he was rarely first choice for coach Claudio Cesare Prandelli in his first season with Fiorentina.
[edit] International career
Montolivo was one of the main players of the Under-21 national team of Italy coached by Pierluigi Casiraghi, and widely considered as one of the most promising youngsters in the country. He has been tipped to be the next Totti.[citation needed]
On 10 October 2006, Montolivo scored the winning goal when Italy beat Spain 2-1 and qualified for 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship [1].
On 17 October 2007, Montolivo debuted fot the Azzurri in a 2-0 friendly win against South Africa.
| Preceded by Daniele De Rossi |
Serie A Young Footballer of the Year 2007 |
Succeeded by current holder |
|
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