Giovanni Lodetti (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni loˈdetti]; 10 August 1942 – 22 September 2023) was an Italian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. A hard-working player, he usually supported his more creative teammates defensively, excelling as a defensive midfielder due to his stamina and his ability to read the game. Despite his supporting role in midfield, he also possessed good technique and creativity, as well as an eye for goal, which also saw him participate in his teams attacking moves.[1]

Giovanni Lodetti
Lodetti with AC Milan in 1968
Personal information
Date of birth (1942-08-10)10 August 1942
Place of birth Caselle Lurani, Kingdom of Italy
Date of death 22 September 2023(2023-09-22) (aged 81)
Place of death Milan, Italy
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
1960–1963 A.C. Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1961–1970 A.C. Milan 216 (16)
1970–1974 Sampdoria 117 (0)
1974–1976 Foggia 61 (1)
1976–1978 Novara 38 (0)
Total 432 (17)
International career
1964–1968 Italy 17 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Italy (as player)
UEFA European Championship
Winner 1968 Italy
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Lodetti is mostly remembered for his time as a defensive midfielder with Italian club Milan, with which he achieved great domestic and international success in the 60s alongside playmaker Gianni Rivera, winning two Serie A titles (the first during his debut season), a Coppa Italia, two European Cups, a Cup Winners' Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup. He later also played for Sampdoria, Foggia, and Novara, before retiring in 1978.[2][3][4]

International career edit

Lodetti also represented the Italy national side at the 1966 World Cup in England, where they were eliminated in the first round. He was also a member of the Italy national squad at the UEFA Euro 1968 victorious campaign on home soil. Although he was set to participate in the 1970 World Cup, in which Italy reached the final, he was dropped at the last minute due to an injury to Anastasi, which led manager Ferruccio Valcareggi to call up Roberto Boninsegna and Pierino Prati in his place.[4] In total he represented his national team 17 times between 1964 and 1968, scoring two goals. He also represented the under-21 side in their victorious campaign at the 1963 Mediterranean games.[2]

Death edit

Giovanni Lodetti died on 22 September 2023, at the age of 81.[5]

Honours edit

AC Milan[1]

Italy

Individual

  • AC Milan Hall of Fame[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Giovanni Lodetti". acmilan.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Storie di Calcio: Giovanni LODETTI una vita di corsa fra pallone e ingratitudine" (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Giovanni Paolo LODETTI" (in Italian). Magliarossonera.it. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. ^ a b Sebastiano Vernazza (30 April 2014). "Nazionale, Rivera, rivalità e gol Italia-Germania 4-3 è la partita del secolo" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Lutto È morto Giovanni Lodetti". il Cittadino. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

External links edit