Luca Marchegiani

Club career

After beginning his professional career with Jesi in 1986, for one season in the lower divisions, and subsequently Brescia for a season, in Serie B, Marchegiani spent the majority of his career at Torino F.C. and S.S. Lazio. With Torino (1988–1993), he won the Coppa Italia in 1993, and a Serie B title and a Mitropa Cup in 1991, earning promotion to Serie A; he also finished runner-up in the 1993 Supercoppa Italiana and the 1991–92 UEFA Cup, and managed a third-place finish in Serie A during the 1991–92 season, whilst playing for the club.

At one point in his career, Marchegiani was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, when he joined Lazio from Torino in 1993 for £6m; during this period he was regarded as one of the best and most reliable goalkeepers in Italy and in world football. During his time with Lazio he won the Serie A, two Italian Cups, two Italian Supercups, an UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and an UEFA Super Cup, also reaching another UEFA Cup Final in 1998. In 2003, he moved to and ended his playing career at Chievo Verona, where he remained until retiring in 2005.

International career

Marchegiani played for Italy national football team on 9 occasions between 1991 and 1999, and was a participant at the 1994 FIFA World Cup under manager Arrigo Sacchi, where, despite being Italy's second choice keeper, he played in three matches, including two in the group phase. His first appearance was as a substitute against Norway, following the sending off of first choice Gianluca Pagliuca, coming on for Roberto Baggio, and helping the 10-man Italian squad to keep a clean sheet and win the match 1–0. He also appeared in the final group match against Mexico (a 1–1 draw), and in the 2–1 extra-time victory over Nigeria in the round of 16. Italy reached the final where they lost to Brazil on penalties.

Style of play

A consistent, intelligent, composed and complete goalkeeper, Marchegiani is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He was known in particular for his agility, positional sense, reactions, and his speed when rushing off his line, as well as his efficient technique, reliable handling, and his ability to read the game; in particular, he stood out throughout his career for his outstanding ability to come out and claim crosses. In addition to his shot-stopping abilities, he was also remembered for his professionalism, as well as his dedication. Although he was not particularly adept or confident with the ball at his feet following the establishment of the back-pass rule, and did not have a particularly powerful or deep goal kick, he possessed excellent vision, and later worked to improve this aspect of his game throughout his career. He was also effective at stopping penalties; in his career, he stopped 18 penalties in Serie A from 69 attempts, with a career save percentage of 26.1%; during the 2003–04 season, he saved five spot kicks.

Retirement

Marchegiani currently works as a pundit for Sky Italia. He features in the Pro Evolution Soccer series from the 2012 edition as technical commentator, with Pierluigi Pardo until the 2014 edition, and with Fabio Caressa from the 2015 edition.

Personal life

His son Gabriele Marchegiani made his professional debut as a goalkeeper in 2016.

Club

International