# Luigi Apolloni

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Italian footballer (born 1967)

Luigi Apolloni Personal information Date of birth (1967-05-02) 2 May 1967 (age 59) Place of birth Frascati, Italy Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Position Defender Youth career Lodigiani Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1984–1986 Pistoiese 35 (0) 1986–1987 Reggiana 32 (0) 1987–2000 Parma 304 (8) 1999–2000 → Verona (loan) 28 (2) 2000–2001 Verona 23 (0) Total 422 (10) International career 1994–1996 Italy 15 (1) Managerial career 2009–2010 Modena 2010 Grosseto 2012 Gubbio 2012–2013 Reggiana 2013–2014 Gorica 2015 Lentigione 2015–2016 Parma 2018–2019 Modena Medal record Representing Italy (as player) FIFA World Cup Runner-up 1994 * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Luigi Apolloni** (Italian pronunciation: [\[luˈiːdʒi apolˈlɔːni\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Italian); born 2 May 1967) is an Italian [football](/source/Association_football) [manager](/source/Association_football_manager) and former player, who played as a [centre-back](/source/Centre-back). At club level, Apolloni is mainly remembered for his time with Italian side [Parma Calcio 1913](/source/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 team](/source/Italy_national_football_team) that reached the final of the [1994 FIFA World Cup](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup).

## Club career

Born in [Frascati](/source/Frascati), Apolloni started[*[according to whom?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions)*] his career with [Lodigiani](/source/A.S._Lodigiani) in 1983–84 in [Serie C2](/source/Serie_C2), without ever get off the field in the first team to advance to [Pistoiese](/source/A.C._Pistoiese) within two years, where he debuted in professional football.

After another year in [Serie C1](/source/Serie_C1) to [Reggiana](/source/A.C._Reggiana_1919), he joined [Parma](/source/Parma_F.C.) in 1987, became a key member of the squad and a mainstay in the team's defensive lineup alongside [Lorenzo Minotti](/source/Lorenzo_Minotti); the two players formed a notable central defensive partnership at the club, helping to guide the team from the [Serie B](/source/Serie_B) to [Serie A](/source/Serie_A), and eventually, to the top levels of European football. Their time at the club included triumphs in the [1991–92](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_Coppa_Italia) [Coppa Italia](/source/Coppa_Italia), a [Cup Winners' Cup](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_European_Cup_Winners'_Cup) and [UEFA Super Cup](/source/UEFA_Super_Cup) in [1993](/source/1993_UEFA_Super_Cup), a runners-up medal in their [1993–94](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_European_Cup_Winners'_Cup) [European Cup Winners' Cup](/source/European_Cup_Winners'_Cup) campaign, and two [UEFA Cups](/source/UEFA_Cup) in [1995](/source/1995_UEFA_Cup_Final) and [1999](/source/1999_UEFA_Cup_Final), as well as the [Supercoppa Italiana](/source/1999_Supercoppa_Italiana) and another [Coppa Italia in 1999](/source/1999_Coppa_Italia_Final), a runners-up medal in the [1995](/source/1995_Supercoppa_Italiana) [Supercoppa Italiana](/source/Supercoppa_Italiana), and third and second-place finishes in Serie A in [1995](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Serie_A) and [1997](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_Serie_A) 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](/source/Hellas_Verona_F.C.), 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 [Italian](/source/Italy_national_football_team) squad under head coach [Arrigo Sacchi](/source/Arrigo_Sacchi), making his international debut on 27 May 1994, in a 2–0 home win against [Finland](/source/Finland_national_football_team), coincidentally in Parma.[1] Overall, he made 15 appearances for Italy between 1994 and 1996,[2] and was a member of the *azzurri* squad that took part at the [1994 FIFA World Cup](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup), where they reached the [final](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Final), in which he appeared, only to lose to [Brazil](/source/Brazil_national_football_team) on penalties.[3] He was also a part of their less successful [Euro 1996](/source/Euro_1996) campaign, appearing in Italy's opening two group matches, a 2–1 win over a [Russia](/source/Russia_national_football_team),[4] and a 2–1 defeat to eventual runners-up the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic_national_football_team), in which he was sent off;[5] the Italians were eliminated in the first round of the tournament following a 0–0 draw against eventual champions [Germany](/source/Germany_national_football_team).[6]

## 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.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

## 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](/source/Roberto_Donadoni).[18][19][20][21]

## Managerial career

In 2006, Apolloni accepted to follow former Parma teammate [Daniele Zoratto](/source/Daniele_Zoratto), serving as his aide at [Modena](/source/Modena_F.C.). He was later sacked together with head coach Zoratto in February 2007, only to return at Modena in April 2008.[22]

In January 2009, Apolloni was appointed as caretaker manager of the *canarini* after Zoratto left the club by mutual consent.[23] 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 [Grosseto](/source/U.S._Grosseto_F.C.).[24] He was however removed by the end of September due to poor results, and replaced by [Francesco Moriero](/source/Francesco_Moriero).

On 2 April 2012, he was appointed as new head coach of [Gubbio](/source/A.S._Gubbio_1910) 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](/source/Fabio_Pecchia), [Luigi Simoni](/source/Luigi_Simoni) and [Marco Alessandrini](/source/Marco_Alessandrini)).[25]

On 31 May 2018, Apolloni was appointed as the manager of [Modena](/source/Modena_F.C._2018). It lasted until 10 January 2019, where he was fired.[26]

## Managerial statistics

- *As of match played 6 January 2019*[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Managerial record by team and tenure Team Nat From To Record G W D L GF GA GD Win % Modena 26 January 2009 23 June 2010 63 24 18 21 70 74 −4 038.10 Grosseto 23 June 2010 27 September 2010 7 2 2 3 9 6 +3 028.57 Gubbio 2 April 2012 23 June 2012 9 1 2 6 6 15 −9 011.11 Reggiana 28 December 2012 19 March 2013 9 2 1 6 5 16 −11 022.22 Gorica 13 June 2013 6 October 2014 58 25 14 19 88 57 +31 043.10 Lentigione 20 June 2015 3 July 2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !— Parma 3 July 2015 22 November 2016 58 37 16 5 112 42 +70 063.79 Modena 31 May 2018 10 January 2019 19 11 5 3 31 20 +11 057.89 Total 223 102 58 63 321 230 +91 045.74

## Honours

### Player

**Parma**[27]

- [Coppa Italia](/source/Coppa_Italia): [1991–92](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_Coppa_Italia), [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Coppa_Italia)

- [Supercoppa Italiana](/source/Supercoppa_Italiana): [1999](/source/1999_Supercoppa_Italiana)

- [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup): [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_UEFA_Cup), [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_UEFA_Cup)

- [UEFA Cup Winners' Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup_Winners'_Cup): [1992–93](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_European_Cup_Winners'_Cup)

- [UEFA Super Cup](/source/UEFA_Super_Cup): [1993](/source/1993_UEFA_Super_Cup)

**Italy**

- [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) runner-up: [1994](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Buon compleanno ad Apolloni, Diamanti e Dossena!"](http://vivoazzurro.it/news/buon-compleanno-ad-apolloni-diamanti-e-dossena/) [Happy birthday to Apolloni, Diamanti and Dossena!]. Vivo Azzurro. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Convocazioni e presenze in campo: Luigi Apolloni"](http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=1100&squadra=1) (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 23 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["World Cup Usa '94 / The Final : Facts And Figures"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-18-sp-17049-story.html). *The Los Angeles Times*. 18 July 1994. Retrieved 23 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Instinctive Casiraghi helps Italy sink Russia"](https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52507--italy-vs-russia/). [UEFA](/source/UEFA). 6 October 2003. Retrieved 23 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bejbl completes Italian job for Czechs"](https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52508--czechia-vs-italy/). [UEFA](/source/UEFA). 6 October 2003. Retrieved 23 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Italy pay penalty for Germany stalemate"](https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/52511--italy-vs-germany/). [UEFA](/source/UEFA). 6 October 2003. Retrieved 23 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Sport, Sky (2 May 2024). ["Il Parma torna in Serie A: quanti campioni nella sua storia"](https://sport.sky.it/calcio/parma-tanzi-campioni#26). *sport.sky.it* (in Italian). Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Luigi Apolloni"](https://www.parmacalcio1913.com/legends/luigi-apolloni/) (in Italian). Parma Calcio 1913. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["La scheda di Luigi Apolloni: una carriera al Parma"](https://www.tuttoreggina.com/prossimi-avversari/la-scheda-di-luigi-apolloni-una-carriera-al-parma-117) (in Italian). Tutto Reggina. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sport, Sky (20 September 2023). ["Dal passato al futuro. Parma, stai tornando grande"](https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-c/2017/06/17/parma-story-i-campioni-e-le-vittorie#20). *sport.sky.it* (in Italian). Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ""Che emozione il mio Parma"". *Corriere dello Sport*. 3 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Dopo San Valentino arriva San Faustino, protettore dei single e... di Sorbolo"](https://www.gazzettadiparma.it/archivio-bozze/2021/12/07/news/dopo-san-valentino-arriva-san-faustino-protettore-dei-single-e-di-sorbolo-538409/). *www.gazzettadiparma.it* (in Italian). 14 February 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Minotti e la carezza alla Coppa del Mondo persa in finale: "Non resistetti" | Goal.com Italia"](https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/minotti-carezza-coppa-del-mondo-non-resistetti/1d4tqkvpqm511sp6pjnbmqn8n). *www.goal.com* (in Italian). 8 February 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Quasi leggenda: il primo ballo del Parma – Ultimo Uomo"](https://ultimouomo.com/parma-stagione-90-91) (in Italian). ultimouomo.com. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Paletta, quinta espulsione in campionato: è record"](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/28-05-2017/paletta-quinta-espulsione-campionato-record-200618662084.shtml). *La Gazzetta dello Sport* (in Italian). 28 May 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Nevio Scala, il non-maestro: "I giovani? Bisogna lasciarli liberi di esprimersi, senza indottrinarli con troppi discorsi tattici""](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/). *Il Fatto Quotidiano* (in Italian). 20 March 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Storie_di_calcio_Minotti-Apolloni_e_quel_Parma_grande_anche_nel_volontariato_17-0)** ["Storie di calcio Minotti-Apolloni e quel Parma grande anche nel volontariato"](http://www.gazzettadiparma.it/news/buone-notizie-volontariato/86897/Storie-di-calcio-Minotti-Apolloni-e.html). *Gazzetta di Parma* (in Italian). Retrieved 26 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Gli errori condannano il Delta Rovigo che per buona parte del primo tempo aveva"](https://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/rovigo_pay/gli_errori_condannano_delta_rovigo_buona_parte_primo_tempo_aveva-1410047.html). *www.ilgazzettino.it* (in Italian). 14 December 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Chierici, Lorenzo (20 February 2024). ["Apolloni: «Il mio Salso? Lo voglio "cattivo"»"](https://www.gazzettadiparma.it/home/2024/02/20/news/apolloni-il-mio-salso-lo-voglio-cattivo-765296/). *www.gazzettadiparma.it* (in Italian). Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["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""](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) (in Italian). Tutto Cagliari. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Cosa c'è alla base della veloce risalita del Parma – Ultimo Uomo"](https://ultimouomo.com/cosa-ce-alla-base-della-veloce-risalita-del-parma) (in Italian). ultimouomo.com. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mutti_sacked_22-0)** ["Modena: via Mutti, torna Zoratto"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080424230238/http://www.raisport.rai.it/sportarticolo/0%2C10719%2C94943%2C00.html) (in Italian). RAI Sport. 20 April 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.raisport.rai.it/sportarticolo/0,10719,94943,00.html) on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-zoratto_sacked_23-0)** ["Cambia la guida tecnica al Modena F.C."](https://web.archive.org/web/20090201162413/http://modenafc.net/news.asp?n=4239) (in Italian). Modena FC. 26 January 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.modenafc.net/news.asp?n=4239) on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Apolloni incontra la stampa"](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). US Grosseto FC. 6 July 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.usgrosseto.com/portal2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414:apolloni-incontra-la-stampa&catid=41:notizie-flash&Itemid=141) on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-apolloni_gubbio_25-0)** ["Ufficializzato l'ingaggio del tecnico Luigi Apolloni"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080659/http://www.asgubbio1910.com/flash-news/2012/04/Ufficializzato-lingaggio-del-tecnico-Luigi-Apolloni) (in Italian). [A.S. Gubbio 1910](/source/A.S._Gubbio_1910). 2 April 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.asgubbio1910.com/flash-news/2012/04/Ufficializzato-lingaggio-del-tecnico-Luigi-Apolloni) on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [UFFICIALE - Modena Fc, esonerato Luigi Apolloni: il nuovo allenatore è Alberto Bollini!](http://www.parlandodisport.it/2019/01/10/ufficiale-modena-fc-esonerato-luigi-apolloni-allenatore-alberto-bollini/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030538/http://www.parlandodisport.it/2019/01/10/ufficiale-modena-fc-esonerato-luigi-apolloni-allenatore-alberto-bollini/) 2 April 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), parlandodisport.it, 10 January 2019

1. **[^](#cite_ref-eurosport.com_27-0)** ["Luigi Apolloni"](http://it.eurosport.com/calcio/luigi-apolloni_prs5203/person.shtml) (in Italian). Eurosport. Retrieved 19 December 2015.

## External links

- [Luigi Apolloni](https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/14484.html) at National-Football-Teams.com

- [Luigi Apolloni coach profile](https://web.archive.org/web/2/https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/luigi-apolloni/236559/#bd) at Soccerway (archived)

- [Luigi Apolloni](https://web.archive.org/web/20150905/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=111356/index.html) – [FIFA](/source/FIFA) competition record (archived)

Italy squads v t e Italy squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup runners-up 1 Pagliuca 2 Apolloni 3 Benarrivo 4 Costacurta 5 Maldini 6 Baresi (c) 7 Minotti 8 Mussi 9 Tassotti 10 R. Baggio 11 Albertini 12 Marchegiani 13 D. Baggio 14 Berti 15 Conte 16 Donadoni 17 Evani 18 Casiraghi 19 Massaro 20 Signori 21 Zola 22 Bucci Coach: Sacchi v t e Italy squad – UEFA Euro 1996 1 Peruzzi 2 Apolloni 3 Maldini (c) 4 Carboni 5 Costacurta 6 Nesta 7 Donadoni 8 Mussi 9 Torricelli 10 Albertini 11 Baggio 12 Toldo 13 Rossitto 14 Del Piero 15 Di Livio 16 Di Matteo 17 Fuser 18 Casiraghi 19 Chiesa 20 Ravanelli 21 Zola 22 Bucci Coach: Sacchi

v t e Parma Calcio 1913 – managers Technical Commission (Violi, Porcelli & Spaggiari) (1919–20) Humphrey (1920–21) Riebe (1921–23) Ara (1923–24) Gobbi (1924) Forlivesi (1924–25) Achatzi (1925–26) Ghini (1926–27) Stuardt (1927) Grossi (1927–28) Violi (1928–29) Grossi (1929–30) Halmos (1930–31) Grossi (1931–32) Crotti (1932–33) Mistrali (1933–36) Mattioli (1936–37) Banchero (1937–38) Szalay (1938–39) Wereb (1939–40) Trevors (1940–42) Defendi (1942–43) Ferrari (1945–46) Technical Commission (Cattaneo, Lombatti, Frione & Mistrali) (1946–47) Technical Commission (Dentelli, Dietrich, Mazzoni & Tagliani) (1947–48) Technical Commission (Cattaneo, Ferrari, Giuberti, Lombatti, Mistrali, & Rigotti) (1948–49) Rigotti (1949–50) Tabanelli (1951–53) Quario (1953–54) Fiorentini (1954–56) Sentimenti (196X–64) Arcari (1964–65) Corghi (1965–66) Vitali (1967–68) Vitali (1969–70) Angeleri (1970–72) Gei (1974–75) Corelli (1977–78) Landoni (1978) Maldini (1978–80) Rosati (1980–81) Sereni (1981) Danova (1981–83) Mora (1983) Perani (1983–85) Flaborea (1985) Carmigiani (1985) Sacchi (1985–87) Zeman (1987) Vitali (1987–89) Scala (1989–96) Ancelotti (1996–98) Malesani (1998–2001) Sacchi (2001) Ulivieri (2001) Passarella (2001) Carmignani (2001–02) Prandelli (2002–04) Baldini (2004) Carmignani (2004–05) Beretta (2005–06) Pioli (2006–07) Ranieri (2007) Di Carlo (2007–08) Cúper (2008) Manzo (2008) Cagni (2008) Guidolin (2008–10) Marino (2010–11) Colomba (2011–12) Donadoni (2012–15) Apolloni (2015–16) D'Aversa (2016–20) Liverani (2020–21) D'Aversa (2021) Maresca (2021) Iachini (2021–22) Pecchia (2022–25) Chivu (2025) Cuesta (2025–)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Association football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Association_football)
- [Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Italy)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Luigi Apolloni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Apolloni) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Apolloni?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.