Roberto Gagliardini

Roberto Gagliardini (; born 7 April 1994) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Monza.

Club career

Atalanta and loan spells

Born in Bergamo to physical education teacher and a Sicilian mother, Gagliardini began his career at hometown club Atalanta playing for their youth teams and later for the reserves. He was promoted to the first-team squad for the 2013–14 season.

On 4 December 2013, Gagliardini made his professional debut, starting in a 2–0 home win over Sassuolo, for the campaign's Coppa Italia.

Loan to Cesena

On 17 January 2014, he was loaned to Serie B side Cesena with a 6-month loan deal. On 25 January he made his debut for Cesena as a substitute, replacing Guido Marilungo in the 74th minute and one minute later he scored his first career goal in a 3–1 away win over Varese. On 2 February, Gagliardini played his first full match for Cesena, a 1–1 away draw against Virtus Lanciano. On 6 June, Gagliardini was sent-off with a double yellow card in the 67th minute of a 1–0 away win against Modena. Gagliardini ended his 6-month loan to Cesena with 21 apeparences, including 16 as a starter, and 1 goal. He helped the team win promotion to Serie A.

Loan to Spezia

On 1 September 2014, he was loaned to Serie B side Spezia Calcio, Spezia on a season-long loan deal. On 7 September he made his debut for Spezia as a substitute replacing Juri Cisotti in the 68th minute of a 2–1 home win over Frosinone Calcio, Frosinone. On 24 January 2015, Gagliardini played his first entire match for Spezia and he scored his first goal in the 55th minute of a 1–1 away draw against Frosinone Calcio, Frosinone. Gagilardini ended his season-long loan to Spezia with 14 appearances and 1 goal.

Loan to Vicenza

On 29 July 2015, Gagliardini moved to Serie B side Vicenza Calcio, Vicenza on loan, with an option to purchase. On 9 August he made his debut for Vicenza in the second round of Coppa Italia in a match won at penalty 4–2 against Cosenza Calcio, Cosenza. On 15 August, Gagliardini played in the third round of Coppa Italia, he was replaced by Giovanni Sbrissa in the 78th minute of a 1–0 away win over Empoli F.C., Empoli. On 6 September he made his Serie B debut for Vicenza in a 1–0 away win against Modena. On 27 October, Gagilardini scored his first goal for Vicenza in the 24th minute of a 2–1 away win over Trapani Calcio, Trapani. On 3 December he played in the fourth round of Coppa Italia in a 2–1 away defeat against Carpi F.C. 1909, Carpi, he was replaced in the 64th minute by Salvatore D'Elia. Gagliardi finished his loan to Vicenza with 19 appearances and 1 goal.

Return to Atalanta

On 15 May 2016, he made his Serie A debut with Atalanta in a 2–1 away win over Genoa C.F.C., Genoa, on the final match-day of the 2015–16 Serie A, 2015–16 season. The first half of the following season, he was promoted to the starting line-up, making 13 more league appearances for the club.

Inter Milan

On 11 January 2017, Gagliardini joined Inter Milan on loan, with an obligation to buy in the summer of 2018. He was presented two days later, where he was assigned the squad number 5 (previously worn by Felipe Melo, who left Inter in the same transfer window). Gagliardini made his Inter debut on 14 January against A.C. ChievoVerona, Chievo at San Siro, playing the full-90 minutes in a 3–1 win to help the ''Nerazzurri'' claim their fifth consecutive league victory. On 5 March, he scored his first goal for Inter in a 5–1 win at Cagliari Calcio, Cagliari. The following week, Gagliardini scored against his parent club Atalanta in a 7–1 thrashing by Inter.

Monza

On 7 July 2023, Gagliardini signed for Monza as a free agent on a one-year deal, with an option to extend a further year.

International career

On 28 February 2014, Gagliardini was called up to the Italy national under-20 football team, Italy under-20 side. On 12 August 2015, he made his debut with the Italy national under-21 football team, under-21 side under manager Luigi Di Biagio, in a friendly match against Hungary national under-21 football team, Hungary, which ended in a 0–0 draw.

In November 2016, Gagliardini was called up to the Italy national football team, Italian senior squad for the first time by manager Gian Piero Ventura for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Liechtenstein national football team, Liechtenstein and a Exhibition match#International football, friendly match against Germany national football team, Germany, following an injury to Claudio Marchisio.

On 28 March 2017, Gagliardini made his first senior appearance for the Italy national football team, along with four other players; he came off the bench to replace the injured Daniele De Rossi in the 37th minute of a 2–1 friendly away win against the Netherlands national football team, Netherlands.

In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Di Biagio. Italy were eliminated by Spain national under-21 football team, Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat, during which Gagliardini was sent off.

Style of play

At tall, Gagliardini is a complete midfielder, known for his physical attributes, vision and technique. He can play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder or ''mezzala''.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Inter Milan
*Serie A: 2020–21 Serie A, 2020–21
* Coppa Italia: 2021–22 Coppa Italia, 2021–22, 2022–23 Coppa Italia, 2022–23
* Supercoppa Italiana: 2021 Supercoppa Italiana, 2021, 2022 Supercoppa Italiana, 2022
*UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, 2022–23
*UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, 2019–20

References

External links

Profile
at the Inter Milan website
*
*

FIGC profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gagliardini, Roberto
1994 births
Living people
Footballers from Bergamo
Italian men's footballers
Italy men's under-21 international footballers
Italy men's youth international footballers
Italy men's international footballers
Men's association football midfielders
Atalanta BC players
AC Cesena players
Spezia Calcio players
LR Vicenza players
Inter Milan players
AC Monza players
Serie A players
Serie B players
People of Sicilian descent