{{Short description|Italian footballer (born 1967)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Luigi Apolloni | full_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|5|2}} | birth_place = [[Frascati]], Italy | height = 1.85 m | position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]] | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[A.S. Lodigiani|Lodigiani]] | years1 = 1984–1986 | clubs1 = [[A.C. Pistoiese|Pistoiese]] |caps1 = 35 |goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1986–1987 | clubs2 = [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]] |caps2 = 32 |goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1987–2000 | clubs3 = [[Parma F.C.|Parma]] |caps3 = 304 |goals3 = 8 | years4 = 1999–2000 | clubs4 = → [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Verona]] (loan) |caps4 = 28 |goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2000–2001 | clubs5 = [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Verona]] |caps5 = 23 |goals5 = 0 | totalcaps = 422 |totalgoals = 10 | nationalyears1 = 1994–1996 | nationalteam1 = [[Italy national football team|Italy]] |nationalcaps1 = 15 |nationalgoals1 = 1 | manageryears1 = 2009–2010 | managerclubs1 = [[Modena F.C.|Modena]] | manageryears2 = 2010 | managerclubs2 = [[U.S. Grosseto F.C.|Grosseto]] | manageryears3 = 2012 | managerclubs3 = [[A.S. Gubbio 1910|Gubbio]] | manageryears4 = 2012–2013 | managerclubs4 = [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]] | manageryears5 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs5 = [[ND Gorica|Gorica]] | manageryears6 = 2015 | managerclubs6 = Lentigione | manageryears7 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs7 = [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] | manageryears8 = 2018–2019 | managerclubs8 = [[Modena F.C. 2018|Modena]] | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|ITA}}<br>(as player)}} {{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}} {{Medal|RU|[[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]|}} }}
'''Luigi Apolloni''' ({{IPA|it|luˈiːdʒi apolˈlɔːni}}; born 2 May 1967) is an Italian [[association football|football]] [[association football manager|manager]] and former player, who played as a [[centre-back]]. At club level, Apolloni is mainly remembered for his time with Italian side [[Parma Calcio 1913]], where he won several titles during his 13 seasons with the club. At international level, he was a member of the [[Italy national football team|Italy national team]] that reached the final of the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]].
==Club career== Born in [[Frascati]], Apolloni started{{according to whom|date=December 2018}} his career with [[A.S. Lodigiani|Lodigiani]] in 1983–84 in [[Serie C2]], without ever get off the field in the first team to advance to [[A.C. Pistoiese|Pistoiese]] within two years, where he debuted in professional football.
After another year in [[Serie C1]] to [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]], he joined [[Parma F.C.|Parma]] in 1987, became a key member of the squad and a mainstay in the team's defensive lineup alongside [[Lorenzo Minotti]]; the two players formed a notable central defensive partnership at the club, helping to guide the team from the [[Serie B]] to [[Serie A]], and eventually, to the top levels of European football. Their time at the club included triumphs in the [[1991–92 Coppa Italia|1991–92]] [[Coppa Italia]], a [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]] and [[UEFA Super Cup]] in [[1993 UEFA Super Cup|1993]], a runners-up medal in their [[1993–94 European Cup Winners' Cup|1993–94]] [[European Cup Winners' Cup]] campaign, and two [[UEFA Cup]]s in [[1995 UEFA Cup Final|1995]] and [[1999 UEFA Cup Final|1999]], as well as the [[1999 Supercoppa Italiana|Supercoppa Italiana]] and another [[1999 Coppa Italia Final|Coppa Italia in 1999]], a runners-up medal in the [[1995 Supercoppa Italiana|1995]] [[Supercoppa Italiana]], and third and second-place finishes in Serie A in [[1994–95 Serie A|1995]] and [[1996–97 Serie A|1997]] respectively.
In 1996, a serious injury forced him out, and Apolloni did not manage to win back a place in the starting lineup, ultimately leaving Parma in 1999 to join [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Hellas Verona]], and later ending his career in 2001 with a total of 255 appearances and 7 goals in the Italian top flight.
==International career== Following his successes with Parma, Apolloni gained a spot in the [[Italy national football team|Italian]] squad under head coach [[Arrigo Sacchi]], making his international debut on 27 May 1994, in a 2–0 home win against [[Finland national football team|Finland]], coincidentally in Parma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vivoazzurro.it/news/buon-compleanno-ad-apolloni-diamanti-e-dossena/|title=Buon compleanno ad Apolloni, Diamanti e Dossena!|trans-title=Happy birthday to Apolloni, Diamanti and Dossena!|publisher=Vivo Azzurro|date=2 February 2015|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> Overall, he made 15 appearances for Italy between 1994 and 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=1100&squadra=1|title=Convocazioni e presenze in campo: Luigi Apolloni|publisher=FIGC|language=Italian|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref> and was a member of the ''azzurri'' squad that took part at the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]], where they reached the [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final|final]], in which he appeared, only to lose to [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] on penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-18-sp-17049-story.html|title=World Cup Usa '94 / The Final : Facts And Figures|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=18 July 1994|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> He was also a part of their less successful [[Euro 1996]] campaign, appearing in Italy's opening two group matches, a 2–1 win over a [[Russia national football team|Russia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52507--italy-vs-russia/|title=Instinctive Casiraghi helps Italy sink Russia|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=6 October 2003|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> and a 2–1 defeat to eventual runners-up the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]], in which he was sent off;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52508--czechia-vs-italy/|title=Bejbl completes Italian job for Czechs|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=6 October 2003|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> the Italians were eliminated in the first round of the tournament following a 0–0 draw against eventual champions [[Germany national football team|Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52511--italy-vs-germany/|title=Italy pay penalty for Germany stalemate|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=6 October 2003|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
==Style of play== Apolloni was known to be a physically powerful and aggressive man-marking centre-back, known as a ''stopper'' in Italian football jargon, who possessed a strong mentality and leadership qualities. He was known for his ability in the air, and to put pressure on opponents and close them down; he was also notorious for his tendency to pick-up cards, however. He was considered to be one of the best Italian defenders of his generation, and formed one of the strongest defensive partnerships in Serie A of the 1990s, along with Parma teammate Lorenzo Minotti.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sport |first1=Sky |title=Il Parma torna in Serie A: quanti campioni nella sua storia |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/parma-tanzi-campioni#26 |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=sport.sky.it |date=2 May 2024 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luigi Apolloni |url=https://www.parmacalcio1913.com/legends/luigi-apolloni/ |publisher=Parma Calcio 1913 |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=La scheda di Luigi Apolloni: una carriera al Parma |url=https://www.tuttoreggina.com/prossimi-avversari/la-scheda-di-luigi-apolloni-una-carriera-al-parma-117 |publisher=Tutto Reggina |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sport |first1=Sky |title=Dal passato al futuro. Parma, stai tornando grande |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-c/2017/06/17/parma-story-i-campioni-e-le-vittorie#20 |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=sport.sky.it |date=20 September 2023 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="Che emozione il mio Parma" |work=Corriere dello Sport |date=3 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dopo San Valentino arriva San Faustino, protettore dei single e... di Sorbolo |url=https://www.gazzettadiparma.it/archivio-bozze/2021/12/07/news/dopo-san-valentino-arriva-san-faustino-protettore-dei-single-e-di-sorbolo-538409/ |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=www.gazzettadiparma.it |date=14 February 2020 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minotti e la carezza alla Coppa del Mondo persa in finale: "Non resistetti" {{!}} Goal.com Italia |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/minotti-carezza-coppa-del-mondo-non-resistetti/1d4tqkvpqm511sp6pjnbmqn8n |website=www.goal.com |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it |date=8 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Quasi leggenda: il primo ballo del Parma – Ultimo Uomo |url=https://ultimouomo.com/parma-stagione-90-91 |publisher=ultimouomo.com |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Paletta, quinta espulsione in campionato: è record |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/28-05-2017/paletta-quinta-espulsione-campionato-record-200618662084.shtml |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=28 May 2017 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nevio Scala, il non-maestro: "I giovani? Bisogna lasciarli liberi di esprimersi, senza indottrinarli con troppi discorsi tattici" |url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/03/20/nevio-scala-il-non-maestro-i-giovani-bisogna-lasciarli-liberi-di-esprimersi-senza-indottrinarli-con-troppi-discorsi-tattici/6530332/ |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=Il Fatto Quotidiano |date=20 March 2022 |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref name="Storie di calcio Minotti-Apolloni e quel Parma grande anche nel volontariato">{{cite news|title=Storie di calcio Minotti-Apolloni e quel Parma grande anche nel volontariato|url=http://www.gazzettadiparma.it/news/buone-notizie-volontariato/86897/Storie-di-calcio-Minotti-Apolloni-e.html|work=Gazzetta di Parma|language=it|accessdate=26 January 2015}}</ref>
==Style of management== As a manager, Apolloni has mainly used a 4–2–3–1 system, but has also used a 4–3–3 and 3–5–2 formations on occasion. He is known for his ability to bring out the best of his players, with a focus on their individual qualities. His team is centred around efficiency and the tactical versatility of his midfielders. His style has been likened to that of [[Roberto Donadoni]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gli errori condannano il Delta Rovigo che per buona parte del primo tempo aveva |url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/rovigo_pay/gli_errori_condannano_delta_rovigo_buona_parte_primo_tempo_aveva-1410047.html |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=www.ilgazzettino.it |date=14 December 2015 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chierici |first1=Lorenzo |title=Apolloni: «Il mio Salso? Lo voglio "cattivo"» |url=https://www.gazzettadiparma.it/home/2024/02/20/news/apolloni-il-mio-salso-lo-voglio-cattivo-765296/ |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=www.gazzettadiparma.it |date=20 February 2024 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luigi Apolloni: "Il Parma è una squadra estremamente pragmatica: sa sfruttare episodi come i calci piazzati e spesso fa giocare male gli avversari. Ma il Cagliari è molto ben allenato: Pisacane è tra i migliori tecnici emergenti in circolazione" |url=https://www.tuttocagliari.net/primo-piano/luigi-apolloni-il-parma-e-una-squadra-estremamente-pragmatica-sa-sfruttare-episodi-come-i-calci-piazzati-e-spesso-fa-giocare-male-gli-avversari-ma-il-167666 |publisher=Tutto Cagliari |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cosa c'è alla base della veloce risalita del Parma – Ultimo Uomo |url=https://ultimouomo.com/cosa-ce-alla-base-della-veloce-risalita-del-parma |publisher=ultimouomo.com |access-date=13 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref>
==Managerial career== In 2006, Apolloni accepted to follow former Parma teammate [[Daniele Zoratto]], serving as his aide at [[Modena F.C.|Modena]]. He was later sacked together with head coach Zoratto in February 2007, only to return at Modena in April 2008.<ref name="mutti_sacked">{{cite news|url=http://www.raisport.rai.it/sportarticolo/0,10719,94943,00.html |publisher=RAI Sport |title=Modena: via Mutti, torna Zoratto |accessdate=26 April 2008 |date=20 April 2008 |language=Italian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424230238/http://www.raisport.rai.it/sportarticolo/0%2C10719%2C94943%2C00.html |archivedate=24 April 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In January 2009, Apolloni was appointed as caretaker manager of the ''canarini'' after Zoratto left the club by mutual consent.<ref name="zoratto_sacked">{{cite news|url=http://www.modenafc.net/news.asp?n=4239 |language=Italian |publisher=Modena FC |accessdate=26 January 2009 |date=26 January 2009 |title=Cambia la guida tecnica al Modena F.C. |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201162413/http://modenafc.net/news.asp?n=4239 |archivedate=1 February 2009 }}</ref> He was then permanently appointed to the role after he managed to guide Modena to escape relegation at the final day of the season. In his first full season in charge of the club, Apolloni guided Modena to a mid-table place in the league despite severe financial issues within the club. In July 2010 he left Modena to join ambitious Serie B club [[U.S. Grosseto F.C.|Grosseto]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usgrosseto.com/portal2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414:apolloni-incontra-la-stampa&catid=41:notizie-flash&Itemid=141 |accessdate=12 July 2010 |date=6 July 2010 |title=Apolloni incontra la stampa |publisher=US Grosseto FC |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716151643/http://www.usgrosseto.com/portal2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414%3Aapolloni-incontra-la-stampa&catid=41%3Anotizie-flash&Itemid=141 |archivedate=16 July 2011 }}</ref> He was however removed by the end of September due to poor results, and replaced by [[Francesco Moriero]].
On 2 April 2012, he was appointed as new head coach of [[A.S. Gubbio 1910|Gubbio]] in the Italian Serie B league until the end of the season, thus becoming the fourth manager of the season for the small relegation-threatened Umbrian club (after [[Fabio Pecchia]], [[Luigi Simoni]] and [[Marco Alessandrini]]).<ref name="apolloni_gubbio">{{cite news|url=http://www.asgubbio1910.com/flash-news/2012/04/Ufficializzato-lingaggio-del-tecnico-Luigi-Apolloni|language=Italian|publisher=[[A.S. Gubbio 1910]]|accessdate=2 April 2012|date=2 April 2012|title=Ufficializzato l'ingaggio del tecnico Luigi Apolloni|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080659/http://www.asgubbio1910.com/flash-news/2012/04/Ufficializzato-lingaggio-del-tecnico-Luigi-Apolloni|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 31 May 2018, Apolloni was appointed as the manager of [[Modena F.C. 2018|Modena]]. It lasted until 10 January 2019, where he was fired.<ref>[http://www.parlandodisport.it/2019/01/10/ufficiale-modena-fc-esonerato-luigi-apolloni-allenatore-alberto-bollini/ UFFICIALE - Modena Fc, esonerato Luigi Apolloni: il nuovo allenatore è Alberto Bollini!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030538/http://www.parlandodisport.it/2019/01/10/ufficiale-modena-fc-esonerato-luigi-apolloni-allenatore-alberto-bollini/ |date=2 April 2019 }}, parlandodisport.it, 10 January 2019</ref>
== Managerial statistics == {{updated|match played 6 January 2019}}{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Managerial record by team and tenure |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Nat !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="8"|Record |- !{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} |- |[[Modena F.C.|Modena]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|26 January 2009 |align=left|23 June 2010 {{WDL|63|24|18|21|for=70|against=74|diff=yes}} |- |[[U.S. Grosseto F.C.|Grosseto]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|23 June 2010 |align=left|27 September 2010 {{WDL|7|2|2|3|for=9|against=6|diff=yes}} |- |[[A.S. Gubbio 1910|Gubbio]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|2 April 2012 |align=left|23 June 2012 {{WDL|9|1|2|6|for=6|against=15|diff=yes}} |- |[[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|28 December 2012 |align=left|19 March 2013 {{WDL|9|2|1|6|for=5|against=16|diff=yes}} |- |[[ND Gorica|Gorica]] | {{Flagicon|Slovenia}} |align=left|13 June 2013 |align=left|6 October 2014 {{WDL|58|25|14|19|for=88|against=57|diff=yes}} |- |Lentigione | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|20 June 2015 |align=left|3 July 2015 {{WDL|0|0|0|0|for=0|against=0|diff=yes}} |- |[[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|3 July 2015 |align=left|22 November 2016 {{WDL|58|37|16|5|for=112|against=42|diff=yes}} |- |[[Modena F.C. 2018|Modena]] | {{Flagicon|Italy}} |align=left|31 May 2018 |align=left|10 January 2019 {{WDL|19|11|5|3|for=31|against=20|diff=yes}} |- !colspan="4"|Total {{WDLtot|223|102|58|63|for=321|against=230|diff=yes}} |}
==Honours==
===Player=== '''Parma'''<ref name=eurosport.com>{{cite web|url=http://it.eurosport.com/calcio/luigi-apolloni_prs5203/person.shtml|title=Luigi Apolloni|publisher=Eurosport|language=Italian|accessdate=19 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Coppa Italia]]: [[1991–92 Coppa Italia|1991–92]], [[1998–99 Coppa Italia|1998–99]] * [[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1999 Supercoppa Italiana|1999]] * [[UEFA Cup]]: [[1994–95 UEFA Cup|1994–95]], [[1998–99 UEFA Cup|1998–99]] * [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|1992–93]] * [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1993 UEFA Super Cup|1993]]
'''Italy''' *[[FIFA World Cup]] runner-up: [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{NFT}} * {{Soccerway coach|luigi-apolloni/236559}} * {{FIFA}}
{{Navboxes |title= Italy squads |bg = #0066bc |fg = white |list1= {{Italy squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}} {{Italy squad UEFA Euro 1996}} }} {{Parma F.C. managers}}
{{portal bar|Association football|Italy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apolloni, Luigi}} [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Frascati]] [[Category:Italian men's footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football defenders]] [[Category:AS Lodigiani players]] [[Category:AC Reggiana 1919 players]] [[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]] [[Category:Hellas Verona FC players]] [[Category:Serie A players]] [[Category:Serie B players]] [[Category:Serie C players]] [[Category:Parma Calcio 1913 players]] [[Category:FC Pistoiese SSD players]] [[Category:Modena FC 2018 managers]] [[Category:US Grosseto 1912 managers]] [[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]] [[Category:Italy men's international footballers]] [[Category:Italian football managers]] [[Category:Italian expatriate football managers]] [[Category:ND Gorica managers]] [[Category:Parma Calcio 1913 managers]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Slovenia]] [[Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia]] [[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]] [[Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga managers]] [[Category:20th-century Italian sportsmen]]