Patrizia Panico (Italian pronunciation: [paˈtrittsja paˈniːko]; born 8 February 1975) is an Italian former footballer who is formerly the manager of Fiorentina in the Italian women's Serie A.[2] A prolific goalscorer, Panico is a longstanding member of the Italy women's national team; she won over 185 caps for Italy, and also served as her national side's captain. She is a veteran of Italy's 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013 UEFA Women's Championship campaigns and played at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. In a club career that spanned more than two decades, Panico won ten Scudetti and collected five Coppa Italia winner's medals with her various clubs. She was Serie A's top scorer on 14 occasions (an Italian record for her category) and spent part of 2010 in the United States, representing Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) club Sky Blue. Panico is nicknamed "The Scorpion" due to her deadly goalscoring instincts.[3]

Patrizia Panico
Personal information
Full name Patrizia Panico[1]
Date of birth (1975-02-08) 8 February 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1988–1991 Borussia
1991–1993 Valmontone
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1996 Lazio 71 (32)
1996–1997 Torino 30 (32)
1997–1998 Modena Amadio 28 (29)
1998–2003 Lazio 209 (191)
2003–2004 Milan 22 (5)
2004–2006 Torino 44 (56)
2006–2009 Bardolino 62 (73)
2009–2014 Torres 134 (175)
2010Sky Blue (loan) 10 (0)
2014–2015 Verona 25 (34)
2015–2016 Fiorentina 21 (20)
Total 656 (647)
International career
1996–2014 Italy 196 (110)
Managerial career
2017–2018 Italy U16 (assistant)
2018–2021 Italy U15
2020–2021 Italy U21 (assistant)
2021–2023 Fiorentina
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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In addition to Torres, Panico played for Lazio, Torino, Modena Amadio, Milan and Bardolino, as well as Sky Blue of the United States' Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She was the Serie A's top scorer for ten seasons.[4]

At Modena in 1997–98, Panico won her first Serie A title. She played alongside Carolina Morace, and came to be seen as the heir apparent to Morace's title as Italy's best female player.[5]

In the months before the professional Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) began play in 2001, Panico was pursued by Philadelphia Charge. She had agreed terms, but the move was eventually derailed by red tape.[6]

International career

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Panico made her senior international debut on 8 April 1996, in Italy's 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 1997 qualifying win over Portugal in Mestre. She started the match and scored Italy's first goal after five minutes of play.[note 1] Panico was selected for the final tournament in Norway. She scored in a 2–2 group stage draw with Denmark, as Italy reached the final which they lost 2–0 to Germany.

At the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States, Panico gave Italy the lead in their first game against Germany. The match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California finished 1–1.[7] The Italians were eliminated after a 2–0 defeat by Brazil in their next game, but recovered to beat Mexico 2–0. Panico scored the first goal and was hailed as "one of the world's most explosive players" by CNN Sports Illustrated.[8]

On 11 November 1999, Panico scored a notable hat-trick against Germany in a 4–4 UEFA Women's Euro 2001 qualifying draw.[9] At the final tournament, player of the match Panico scored twice in Italy's opening 2–1 win over Denmark at the Waldstadion in Aalen.[10] The Italians narrowly failed to qualify from the group after a 1–1 draw with Norway and a 2–0 defeat by France.

Four years later, Panico was included in the squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2005 in North West England.[11] She played in the Italians' 4–0 defeat to perennial champions Germany, which intersected defeats to France and Norway and preceded another first round exit.[12]

At UEFA Women's Euro 2009 in Finland, Panico played in all four games and added two goals as the Italians went out to Germany in the quarter-finals.[9] Four years later, national coach Antonio Cabrini named Panico in his selection for UEFA Women's Euro 2013 in Sweden.[13] At 38, Panico entered her fifth European finals and admitted it was likely to be her last.[14] She was left disappointed by another defeat by the Germans in the quarter-final at Myresjöhus Arena, Växjö.[15]

On 2 October 2010, she scored against Ukraine for the FIFA Women's World Cup qualification at the Stadion Yuri Gagarin in Chernihiv.[16]

Career statistics

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Club

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Season Squad Championship National Cups Continental Cups Other Cups Total
League Apps Gls League Apps Gls League Apps Gls League Apps Gls Apps Gls
1993–1994   Lazio A 23 8 Coppa Italia
1994–1995 A 19 5 Coppa Italia ? ? 19+ 5+
1995–1996 A 29 19 Coppa Italia ? ? 29+ 19+
1996–1997   Torino A 30 32 Coppa Italia ? ? 30+ 32+
1997–1998   Modena A 28 29 Coppa Italia ? ? SI 1 0 29+ 30+
1998–1999   Lazio A 28 49 Coppa Italia ? ? 28+ 49+
1999–2000 A 29 41 Coppa Italia ? ? SI 1 1 29+ 41+
2000–2001 A 29 41 Coppa Italia ? ? 29+ 41+
2001–2002 A 27 48 Coppa Italia ? ? 27+ 48+
2002–2003 A 26 35 Coppa Italia ? ? UEFA WC 3 4 SI 1 0 30+ 39+
Sept-Nov 2003 A 8 7 Coppa Italia 0 0 SI 1 1 9 8
Total at Lazio 218 253 0+ 0+ 3 4 3 2 224+ 259+
Nov 2003 -Jun 2004   Milan A 13 9 Coppa Italia 5 1 27 6
2004–2005   Torino A 19 32 Coppa Italia ? ? 19+ 32+
2005–2006 A 20 24 Coppa Italia ? ? 20+ 24+
Total at Torino 74 88 5+ 1+ 79+ 89+
2006–2007   Bardolino A 22 21 Coppa Italia 9 11 SI 1 0 32 33
2007–2008 A 19 27 Coppa Italia 7 8 UEFA WC 10 9 SI 1 0 37 44
2008–2009 A 21 23 CI 7 14 UEFA WC 5 1 SI 1 0 34 38
Total at Bardolino 62 73 23 33 15 10 3 0 103 116
2009–2010   Torres A 22 17 Coppa Italia 5 1 UEFA WCL 8 5 SI 1 0 36 23
2010   Sky Blue WPS 10 0 10 0
2010–2011   Torres A 22 26 Coppa Italia 4 3 UEFA WCL 2 0 SI 1 0 29 26
2011–2012 A 25 28 Coppa Italia 4 2 UEFA WCL 4 2 SI 1 2 36 37
2012–2013 A 29 35 Coppa Italia 2 2 UEFA WCL 6 8 SI 1 2 38 47
2013–2014 A 30 43 Coppa Italia 1 1 UEFA WCL 6 2 SI 1 1 38 47
Total at Torres 98 106 15 8 20 15 4 5 137 133
2014–2015   Verona A 25 34 25 34
2015–2016   Fiorentina A 21 20 Coppa Italia 2 2 23 22
Total 549 618 50+ 44+ 38 29 11 6 591+ 653+

International goals

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 April 1996 Mestre, Portugal   Portugal 1–0 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 1997 qualifying
2. 31 May 1997 Salem, United States   Australia 1–0 3–0 1997 Women's U.S. Cup
3. 3 July 1997 Lillestrøm, Norway   Denmark 2–2 2–2 UEFA Women's Euro 1997
4. 1 November 1997 Nyon, Switzerland   Switzerland ?–? 1–3 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
5. 11 April 1998 Blois, France   France ?–? 2–3
6. 27 May 1998 Espoo, Finland   Finland ?–1 2–1
7. 6 January 1999 Sydney, Australia   Canada 1–0 1–0 1999 Australia Cup
8. 9 January 1999   Australia 1–0 1–1
9. 20 June 1999 Pasadena, United States   Germany 1–0 1–1 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
10. 27 June 1999 Foxborough, United States   Mexico 1–0 2–0
11. 13 October 1999 Castelfranco di Sotto, Italy   Ukraine 1–0 1–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2001 qualifying
12. 11 November 1999 Isernia, Italy   Germany 1–2 4–4
13. 2–3
14. 3–3
15. 25 June 2001 Aalen, Germany   Denmark 1–0 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2001
16. 2–0
17. 30 March 2003 Trento, Italy   Serbia and Montenegro 6–0 8–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2005 qualifying
18. 7–0
19. 19 July 2003 Vaasa, Finland   Finland 1–0 1–1
20. 27 September 2003 Frauenfeld, Switzerland   Switzerland 1–0 1–0
21. 18 March 2004 Lagos, Portugal   Finland ?–? 2–1 2004 Algarve Cup
22. 20 March 2004 Faro, Portugal   France ?–? 3–3 (3–4 p)
23. ?–?
24. 24 April 2004 Andria, Italy   Finland 1–0 1–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2005 qualifying
25. 26 June 2004 Benevento, Italy   Sweden 2–1 2–1
26. 27 November 2004 Čáslav, Czech Republic   Czech Republic 2–0 3–0
27. 24 September 2005 Monza, Italy   Ukraine 2–1 3–1 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
28. 2 November 2005 Sesto al Reghena, Italy   Serbia and Montenegro 2–0 6–0
29. 6–0
30. 22 April 2006 Athens, Greece   Greece 1–0 5–0
31. 3–0
32. 4–0
33. 5–0
34. 23 September 2006 Rimini, Italy   Norway 1–2 1–2
35. 28 October 2006 Seoul, South Korea   Canada 2–3 2–3 2006 Peace Queen Cup
36. 1 November 2006 Changwon, South Korea   South Korea 2–1 2–1
37. 7 March 2007 Lagos, Portugal   Iceland 2–1 2–1 2007 Algarve Cup
38. 12 March 2007 Silves, Portugal   Republic of Ireland 1–0 4–1
39. 30 May 2007 Dublin, Ireland   Republic of Ireland 2–0 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying
40. 27 October 2007 Bük, Hungary   Hungary 2–1 3–1
41. 31 October 2007 Parma, Italy   Romania 2–0 5–0
42. 16 February 2008 Villacidro, Italy   Republic of Ireland 3–1 4–1
43. 5 March 2008 Alvor, Portugal   Norway 1–1 2–4 2008 Algarve Cup
44. 10 March 2008 Loulé, Portugal   China 2–0 2–0
45. 24 May 2008 Buftea, Romania   Romania 2–0 6–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying
46. 25 October 2008 Prague, Czech Republic   Czech Republic 1–0 1–0
47. 29 October 2008 Gubbio, Italy   Czech Republic 2–0 2–1
48. 7 February 2009 Canberra, Australia   Australia 2–0 5–1 Friendly
49. 4–0
50. 5–1
51. 25 August 2009 Lahti, Finland   England 1–1 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2009
52. 4 September 2009   Germany 1–2 1–2
53. 19 September 2009 Domžale, Slovenia   Slovenia 8–0 8–0 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
54. 24 October 2009 Yerevan, Armenia   Armenia 8–0 8–0
55. 25 November 2009 Francavilla al Mare, Italy   Armenia 4–0 7–0
56. 7–0
57. 27 March 2010 Tocha, Portugal   Portugal 2–1 3–1
58. 19 June 2010 Montereale Valcellina, Italy   Slovenia 6–0 6–0
59. 15 September 2010 Gubbio, Italy   France 1–0 2–3 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs
60. 2 October 2010 Chernihiv, Ukraine   Ukraine 2–0 3–0
61. 27 October 2010 Aarau, Switzerland   Switzerland 1–0 4–2
62. 9 March 2011 Nicosia, Cyprus   Russia 1–0 2–0 2011 Cyprus Women's Cup
63. 19 November 2011 Pruszków, Poland   Poland 4–0 5–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
64. 28 February 2012 Larnaca, Cyprus   Netherlands 1–0 1–2 2012 Cyprus Women's Cup
65. 6 March 2012 Paralimni, Cyprus   England 1–1 3–1
66. 31 March 2012 Ferrara, Italy   Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
67. 4–0
68. 4 April 2012 Podolsk, Russia   Russia 1–0 2–0
69. 2–0
70. 16 June 2012 Turin, Italy   Macedonia 2–0 9–0
71. 4–0
72. 6–0
73. 16 September 2012 San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy   Poland 1–0 1–0
99. 13 February 2014 Novara, Italy   Czech Republic 6–1 6–1 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
100. 10 March 2014 Larnaca, Cyprus   Finland 1–1 1–1 2014 Cyprus Women's Cup
101. 12 March 2014 Paralimni, Cyprus   Australia 2–5 2–5
102. 10 April 2014 Cluj-Napoca, Romania   Romania 1–0 2–1 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
103. 8 May 2014 Skopje, Macedonia   Macedonia 1–0 11–0
104. 14 June 2014 Prague, Czech Republic   Czech Republic 1–0 4–0
105. 2–0
106. 17 September 2014 Vercelli, Italy   Macedonia 3–0 15–0
107. 4–0
108. 29 October 2014 Lviv, Ukraine   Ukraine 2–2 2–2 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs

Honours

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Modena

Lazio

Bardolino

  • Italian Women's Cup: 2007, 2009
  • Italian Women's Super Cup: 2007, 2008

AGSM Verona

  • Serie A: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015

Torres

  • Serie A: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Italian Women's Cup: 2011
  • Italian Women's Super Cup: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Individual

Notes

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  1. ^ Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sources list Panico's debut as Italy's earlier 4–1 win over Portugal at the 1995 Algarve Cup. This is contradicted by RSSSF and Panico's official website.

References

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  1. ^ "Goalscorers" (PDF). UEFA. 16 November 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Prima Squadra" (in Italian). AGSM Verona. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  3. ^ "U.S. Women Set to Face Italy on Thursday, June 19". United States Soccer Federation. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. ^ Profile Archived 22 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine in Sky Blue's web
  5. ^ Padovan, Giancarlo (28 February 2001). "La ragazza dal gol facile va in America La Panico a Philadelphia: "Non ho il mito degli Usa, ma lì c' è la pari dignità"" (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  6. ^ Padovan, Giancarlo (25 April 2001). "Sfuma il sogno di Patrizia "Ho perso l' America, ma mi rifarò in nazionale"" (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  7. ^ Hersh, Philip (21 June 1999). "Italy's Panico Gladly Takes Quality Goal Over Quantity". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Women's World Cup Soccer Recap (Mexico-Italy)". CNN Sports Illustrated. 28 June 1999. Archived from the original on 11 March 2001. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Patrizia Panico". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Panico strikes twice to give Italy winning start". uefa.com. UEFA. 25 June 2001. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  11. ^ Turner, Georgina (26 May 2005). "Italy An Azzurre masterclass". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  12. ^ Turner, Georgina (9 June 2005). "Holders tighten their grip". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  13. ^ "Cabrini finalises Italy's Women's EURO squad". uefa.com. UEFA. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  14. ^ Saffer, Paul (29 June 2013). "Panico hoping for happy Italy ending". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  15. ^ Holyman, Ian (21 July 2013). "Panico: Italy lacked courage". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Ukraine 0–3 Italy". www.uefa.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Hall of fame, 10 new entry: con Vialli e Mancini anche Facchetti e Ronaldo" [Hall of fame, 10 new entries: with Vialli and Mancini also Facchetti and Ronaldo] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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