Marco Parolo (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarko paˈrɔːlo];[2] born 25 January 1985) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.[3]

Marco Parolo
Parolo with Italy in 2015
Personal information
Full name Marco Parolo[1]
Date of birth (1985-01-25) 25 January 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Gallarate, Italy
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1996–1998 A.S.C.D. Torino Club
1998–2001 G.S. Soccer Boys
2001–2004 Como
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Como 31 (3)
2005–2007 Pistoiese 52 (3)
2007–2008 Foligno 29 (3)
2008–2009 Verona 32 (4)
2009–2012 Cesena 104 (11)
2012–2014 Parma 72 (11)
2014–2021 Lazio 211 (27)
Total 531 (62)
International career
2011–2018 Italy 36 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

During his club career, Parolo played for Como, Pistoiese, Foligno, Verona, Cesena, and Parma, before moving to Lazio in 2014. At international level, he represented Italy at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

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Youth

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Parolo played for A.S.C.D. Torino Club of Gallarate from 1996 to 1998 and G.S. Soccer Boys of Turbigo from 1998 to 2001, which the clubs received €18,000 (reduced from €36,000 by appeal) and €53,484.54 (increased from €50,902.26 by appeal) respectively from Cesena after Parolo made his Serie A debut in 2010, a solidarity contribution system to youth and amateur clubs.[4] Parolo finished as the losing quarter-finalists in 2003 Primavera Reserve League for Calcio Como. He made 2 appearances in the playoffs round, as the substitutes of Greco and Caremi respectively.[5][6] In 2004 Como reserve was eliminated by Inter reserve in the round of 16 of the playoffs round, in 6–0 aggregate loss. Parolo was in the starting XI in the two matches.[7][8]

Como

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Parolo made his professional debut at Como as a front-lying midfielder in a 4–4–1–1 formation on 19 September 2004, which he scored an own goal. Despite the own goal, La Gazzetta dello Sport gave a score of 6.5/10 to his debut, the 3rd highest score among his teammate.[9] He remained with the club in the whole 2004–05 Serie C1 despite they were declared bankrupt in December 2004.[10] Parolo was in the starting XI in Como's relegation "play-out",[11][12] which the playoffs matches Como losing to Novara 2–1 on aggregate. Como folded at the end season as a takeover bid was denied.

Chievo

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On 30 August 2005, Parolo was signed by Chievo but was immediately sent to Serie C1 club Pistoiese in a co-ownership deal, worth €10,000.[13] Parolo made 52 league appearances in two seasons, including 38 starts.

In June 2007, Chievo bought back Parolo[14] for around €15,000.[15] In August 2007, Parolo was sent to another Serie C1 club Foligno for a peppercorn of €500.[15][16] Parolo made 25 starts and four substitutes for Foligno in 2007–08 Serie C1. He also played twice in promotion playoffs, losing to Cittadella in the first round.

On 4 July 2008, Parolo returned to Chievo again for €50,000.[17] He was immediately sold to "city rivals" Verona in another co-ownership deal for a fee of €250,[17] along with Leonardo Moracci (co-ownership for €250) and Domenico Girardi (loan).[18] In June 2009, Parolo and Moracci returned to Chievo for a peppercorn.[19][20]

Cesena

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Parolo joined Cesena on 10 July 2009 on a temporary deal, where he would rejoin former Foligno head coach Pierpaolo Bisoli, whom Parolo had previously played under during his short spell with Foligno.[21] The club finished as the runner-up of 2009–10 Serie B season, winning promotion to Serie A for the 2010–11 Serie A season. In June 2010, Cesena exercised the rights to sign the player in a co-ownership deal, for a fee of €300,000,[20] and Parolo signed a contract until 2013.[22]

Parolo made his Serie A debut on 28 August 2010, in a goalless draw with A.S. Roma.

After a good season in which Parolo earned a national team call-up, Cesena bought the remaining 50% rights from Chievo for €3 million[20] and extended his contract to 2015.[23]

Parma

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On 7 July 2012, Serie A club Parma signed Parolo on a loan, for €1 million.[24][25] As part of the arrangement, they had the option to buy the player the following summer. Moreover, Gonçalo Brandão moved to Cesena as part of the temporary deal, with Parma subsidising €1.8 million to Cesena for Brandão's wage.[25][26] The loan of Brandão was also followed by Rossi, which Parma also subsidized Cesena for €1.2 million. Parolo made 36 appearances in 2012–13 Serie A, only missing two matches due to suspension. He was handed the no.16 shirt by the club in 2012.[27][28]

On 1 July 2013,[29] Parma exercised the rights to sign Parolo from Cesena for €1 million, but part of a mega cashless player swap.[nb 1] In the 2013–14 Serie A season Parma finished 6th, which earned them a place in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League. However, Parma were not granted a UEFA licence by FIGC and the application was declined due to overdue tax.[30] Thus the place went to 7th placed Torino, which hold a UEFA licence.[31] Parolo made 36 appearances for them during 2013–14 Serie A season, again missing twice due to suspension.

Lazio

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Parolo (blue shirt) playing for Lazio in 2018

On 30 June 2014, Claudio Lotito, chairman of Serie A club Lazio, announced the signing of Parolo from Parma, subject to a medical.[32] The transfer fee was later revealed as €4.5 million.[33][34][35]

On 19 October 2017, S.S. Lazio announced that Parolo had signed a new deal until June 2020.[36] On 5 February 2017, Parolo scored four goals in a 6–2 away victory over Pescara.[37]

He had become a fundamental part of Lazio's starting XI usually playing full matches and resting very little due to his high level of importance. He played in a holding midfield type of role where he often scored with frequent runs through the opposition's defense. On 8 November 2018, Parolo scored the opening goal of Lazio's fourth group stage game of the Europa League, helping his team to qualify for the knockout stage with two games to spare.[citation needed]

International career

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Parolo received his first national team call-up on 20 March 2011,[38] for a friendly match and UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. The technical director of Cesena, Lorenzo Minotti, hinted Parolo would receive a call-up on 15 March in an interview by il Resto del Carlino.[39] He was subsequently selected by Cesare Prandelli as part of his 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and made his debut in the competition playing as a substitute in the first game against England.[40]

On 31 May 2016, he was named in Antonio Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016.[41]

Style of play

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An offensive-minded player, Parolo usually played as a mezzala, and was known for his tendency to make attacking runs from midfield, and also possessed a keen eye for goal due to his powerful, accurate shooting ability from distance, with either foot, and his strength in the air.[42][43][44][45] A physical, reliable, and hard-working central, defensive, or box-to-box midfielder, he was also known for his stamina, positional sense, defensive qualities, and ability to break down opposing attacks, as well as his solid technique and distribution, while his efficient and intelligent passing game allowed him to start attacking plays after winning back possession.[42][43][44][45][46][47][48] He was also deployed in other positions on occasion, including as a right–sided winger or makeshift wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation,[45][49] or even as a central defender in a three–man back–line.[45][50] Former fellow Italy, Parma, and Lazio midfielder Dino Baggio praised Parolo in 2013, and drew comparisons between their playing styles due to their eye for goal from midfield.[51]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[52]
Club Season League Coppa Italia Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Como 2004–05 Serie C1 31 3 3 0 2[a] 0 36 3
Pistoiese
2005–06 24 1 0 0 24 1
2006–07 28 2 0 0 28 2
Total 52 3 0 0 52 3
Foligno 2007–08 Serie C1 31 3 0 0 2[a] 0 31 3
Hellas Verona 2008–09 Lega Pro Prima 32 4 0 0 32 4
Cesena 2009–10 Serie B 36 5 0 0 36 5
2010–11 Serie A 37 5 1 0 38 5
2011–12 31 1 3 0 34 1
Total 104 11 4 0 108 11
Parma (loan) 2012–13 Serie A 36 3 1 0 37 3
Parma 2013–14 36 8 2 0 38 8
Total 72 11 3 0 75 11
Lazio
2014–15 Serie A 34 10 6 1 40 11
2015–16 31 3 0 0 9 3 0[b] 0 40 6
2016–17 34 5 4 0 38 5
2017–18 31 4 3 0 8 2 1[b] 0 43 6
2018–19 34 4 4 0 4 2 42 6
2019–20 29 1 2 1 5 0 1[b] 0 37 2
2020–21 18 0 2 1 5 2 25 3
Total 211 27 21 3 31 9 2 0 265 39
Career total 531 62 31 3 31 9 6 0 599 74
  1. ^ a b Appearances in C1 play-out
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in Supercoppa Italiana

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[53]
National team Year Apps Goals
Italy 2011 1 0
2012 0 0
2013 1 0
2014 6 0
2015 8 0
2016 13 0
2017 5 0
2018 2 0
Total 36 0

Honours

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Cesena[52]

Lazio[52]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Cesena signed Del Pivo for €1.5 million, Palumbo for €1.5 million, Adorni for €1 million and Đurić for €500; Parma signed Lapadula for €1.4 million, Benalouane for €600,000, Parolo and Paolini for €1 million each.

References

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  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Italy" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Parolo". Dizionario d'Ortografia e di Pronunzia (in Italian). Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  3. ^ Marco Parolo at National-Football-Teams.com
  4. ^ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°93/CGF (2011–12)" (PDF). Corte di Giustizia Federale (CGF) (in Italian). FIGC. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Campionato primavera 2002/2003" (in Italian). European Football Fantasy (user blog). Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  6. ^ "QUARTI DI FINALE CAMPIONATO PRIMAVERA 2002-03" (in Italian). campionatoprimavera.com. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  7. ^ "PRIMAVERA: COMO-INTER 0-3" (in Italian). FC Internazionale Milano. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  8. ^ "PRIMAVERA: INTER-COMO 3-0" (in Italian). FC Internazionale Milano. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Como, debutto con autogol". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 20 September 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Ecco come salverò il Como". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 29 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Novara di rigore, Como spacciato". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 30 May 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Al Novara basta la difesa, Como all' inferno". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 6 June 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  13. ^ A.C. Chievo Verona Srl bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2006, PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  14. ^ "UFFICIALE: Pistoiese, l'esito delle comproprietà" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web (TMW). 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  15. ^ a b A.C. Chievo Verona Srl bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2008, PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  16. ^ "UFFICIALE: Foligno, è fatta per Parolo" [OFFICIAL: Foligno, it is made for Parolo] (in Italian). TMW. 11 August 2007. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  17. ^ a b A.C. Chievo Verona Srl bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2009, PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  18. ^ "Quattro operazioni di mercato definite mercoledì" [Four market operations confirmed on Wednesday]. www.hellasverona.it (in Italian). 9 July 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Calciomercato, depositati gli accordi di compartecipazione" [Football Market, co-ownership arrangement deposited] (in Italian). Hellas Verona FC. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  20. ^ a b c A.C. Chievo Verona Srl bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2010, PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  21. ^ "Parolo al Cesena" [Parolo to Cesena] (in Italian). AC Cesena. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  22. ^ "Prolungati i contratti per Parolo e De Feudis". AC Cesena (in Italian). 6 July 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  23. ^ "Marco Parolo prolunga il contratto con l'Ac Cesena fino al 2015". AC Cesena (in Italian). 9 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  24. ^ "UFFICIALE: Parma, colpo Parolo!" [OFFICIAL: Parma, Parolo coup!]. Sportsbook24. Sportsbook24.net. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012.
  25. ^ a b Parma F.C. SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013, PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  26. ^ "Scambio prestiti col Cesena Parolo Brandao" [Loan Exchange with Cesena Parolo Brandao] (in Italian). Parma FC. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "Coumnicato Stampa N°8 (2012–13)" (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2014.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Shirt numbers 2013-14". Parma FC. 6 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ "Tutti i trasferimenti: Acquisti: Parma" [All transfers: Purchases: Parma] (in Italian). Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013.
  30. ^ "Parma lose UEFA appeal". Football Italia. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  31. ^ "Club con licenza Uefa, manca il Parma" [Club with UEFA license, Parma are missing]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 19 May 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  32. ^ "Lazio, Parolo a Formello. Lotito: "Mantengo le promesse"". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 30 June 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  33. ^ Parma F.C. S.p.A. bilancio al 2014-06-30 [Parma F.C. S.p.A. financial report for the financial year ending at 30 June 2014]. Registro dello Imprese (Report) (in Italian). Parma: CCIAA. 2014.
  34. ^ Marotta, Luca (14 February 2015). "Bilancio Parma 2013/14: incertezze significative sulla continuità aziendale" (in Italian). Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  35. ^ "Relazione intermedia sulla gestione" (PDF). Relazione finanziaria semestrale consolidata al 31 dicembre 2014 (Report) (in Italian). Rome: S.S. Lazio. 26 February 2015. p. 6. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  36. ^ "MARCO PAROLO SIGNS NEW CONTRACT". Lega Serie A. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  37. ^ "Parolo poker in Pescara!". Football Italia. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  38. ^ "COMUNICATO STAMPA" [Official Announcement] (PDF). FIGC (in Italian). Rome. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  39. ^ "Minotti: "Ficcadenti, si è già meritato la serie A"". il Resto del Carlino (in Italian). Cesena. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  40. ^ "Inghilterra-Italia 1–2: gol di Marchisio, Sturridge e Balotelli" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  41. ^ "OFFICIAL: Italy squad for Euro 2016". Football Italia. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  42. ^ a b "UFFICIALE: Parma, riscattato il cartellino di Parolo" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  43. ^ a b Claudio Castellucci (30 December 2010). "Parolo: "Voglio restare qui per salvarmi con il Cesena"" (in Italian). Il Resto del Carlino. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  44. ^ a b Alasdair Mackenzie (3 July 2014). "Parolo's point to prove". Football Italia. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  45. ^ a b c d Capriotti, Luca (25 November 2020). "Laziomania: Altro che CR7, ogni bambino dovrebbe imitare Parolo" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  46. ^ Matt Santangelo (27 May 2016). "Giovinco and Pirlo's Omission From Conte's Azzurri: The Facts, Stats and Logic Ignored". Italian Football Daily. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  47. ^ "Azzurri: Parolo replaces De Rossi?". Football Italia. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  48. ^ Jiang, Allan (25 June 2014). "Scouting Report: Could Marco Parolo Be Aaron Ramsey's Backup at Arsenal?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  49. ^ Bushe, Lee (19 October 2020). "Lazio: Inzaghi not the only one guilty". www.football-italia.net. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  50. ^ Bergonzini, Elmar (11 October 2020). "Parolo come Desailly e Mascherano: in difesa per guidare la Lazio". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  51. ^ "Dino Baggio, l'ammazzaJuve, incorona Parolo: "Giocatore che fa la differenza, mi somiglia"". www.youtube.com (in Italian). Parma Channel. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  52. ^ a b c "M. Parolo". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  53. ^ "Marco Parolo National Caps". European Football. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
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