A player gifted with elegance, strength, and technical prowess, Fulvio Collovati’s career spanned the heights of Serie A and culminated in a World Cup triumph, cementing his legacy as one of Italy’s finest defenders.
PART ONE
Fulvio Collovati’s footballing life began in the quiet town of Teor, in the province of Udine, where he would later carve out a reputation as one of the country’s top footballing talents. His career, like so many others, began in the youth ranks. But unlike many, Collovati’s trajectory was never in doubt.
He developed his skills at the prestigious A.C. Milan youth academy, where the whispers of his potential began to stir. From these early foundations, Collovati rose to prominence in the mid-1970s, setting the stage for a defining career both domestically and internationally.
In the 1976–77 Serie A season, Collovati made his debut for A.C. Milan. His first year was relatively modest; however, the foundation for his future greatness was already being laid. The Rossoneri finished the season on a high, winning the Coppa Italia, and Collovati was a vital part of the squad, even though his appearances were limited to eleven that season. It was in the following campaign (1977–78) that Collovati began to establish himself more firmly in the starting lineup.
With 25 appearances and one goal in the league, he demonstrated his capabilities as a reliable defender—one who could both stop attackers in their tracks and contribute to Milan’s offensive transitions. But it was in the 1978–79 season where Collovati truly arrived as a central figure in Milan’s backline.
His remarkable defensive performances, coupled with his ability to read the game, helped Milan secure the coveted Serie A title, with Collovati playing in 27 of the league’s matches. He had proven that he was more than just a player; he was a cornerstone of Milan’s defensive stability.
PART TWO
However, success can be followed by unforeseen adversity. In 1980, the scandal known as Totonero rocked Italian football, and Milan was relegated to Serie B as punishment for their involvement. While many players sought to leave the club in search of top-flight football, Collovati chose to stay, displaying a level of loyalty rarely seen in modern football. The decision was a defining moment in his career, demonstrating not only his commitment to Milan but also his confidence in his own abilities.
In the 1980–81 Serie B season, Collovati played an instrumental role in Milan’s promotion back to Serie A, featuring in all 36 league games and scoring two goals. His performances during this period were nothing short of exemplary, proving that he was not just a product of Milan’s Serie A success but also a leader capable of guiding the club through a difficult period.
The following season saw Milan’s return to Serie A, where they won the Mitropa Cup, although their Serie A status would be short-lived, as they were relegated once again. This time, the cause was Milan’s decline on the field rather than any scandal.
Faced with the club’s struggles, Collovati made a bold decision: he would leave Milan. In 1982, he joined Inter Milan, Milan’s fierce rivals, marking a turning point in his career.
PART THREE
Fulvio Collovati’s move to Inter Milan in 1982 was a significant one. He joined a club at the beginning of a new era under coach Ilario Castagner and quickly settled in, playing 28 league matches during his first season. At Inter, he became an integral part of the defense, solidifying his reputation as one of Italy’s best central defenders.
Nevertheless, after just four years at Inter, Collovati’s desire to be closer to his family led him to seek a move to Udinese Calcio in 1986. The Stadio Friuli club was not yet a top contender in Serie A, but Collovati’s move represented an opportunity for him to play more locally while still competing at the highest level. However, his time at Udinese was relatively brief, lasting only a single season, during which he made 20 appearances and scored two goals.
In 1987, Collovati’s playing career took him to the Eternal City, where he spent two seasons with A.S. Roma. His spell at Roma was relatively quiet, with Collovati making just 18 appearances for the Giallorossi, but it was another reminder of the versatile defender’s ability to adjust and compete in different environments.
Winding down his playing days, Collovati’s final years as a player were spent with Genoa C.F.C., where he enjoyed a more settled role in the defense over four seasons, between 1989 and 1993.
PART FOUR
If Collovati’s club career had been marked by both triumph and adversity, his international career was a more consistent tale of success. After making his debut for Italy in 1979 against the Netherlands, Collovati quickly established himself as a key player in the Azzurri defense. His role in Italy’s 1980 European Championship campaign, where they finished in fourth place, was significant, though it was ultimately marred by his missed penalty in the shoot-out against Czechoslovakia, which cost Italy a third-place finish.
However, it was at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain where Collovati would achieve his career-defining success. Under the management of Enzo Bearzot, Italy embarked on an unforgettable journey to World Cup glory. Collovati played an instrumental role in Italy’s solid defense, alongside his defensive partner, Gaetano Scirea. His reading of the game, anticipation, and ability to nullify opponents made him one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Italy’s triumph in the 1982 World Cup was monumental. Collovati was not only part of the squad that lifted the trophy but also earned a place in the tournament’s All-Star team. The World Cup win was Italy’s third, and it firmly established Collovati as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Without doubt, Collovati´s performances in Spain, and particularly his leadership at the back, played a crucial part in Italy’s success. His ability to maintain composure under pressure, combined with his impeccable timing in the tackle and ability to marshal Italy’s backline, helped ensure that Italy conceded just six goals throughout the tournament.
PART FIVE
Although Collovati would go on to play in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Italy’s hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals, and his time on the international stage was nearing its end after the tournament. By the time of his retirement from the national team, Collovati had earned 50 caps and scored three goals, solidifying his place among the elite defenders in Italian football history.
In terms of honours, Collovati enjoyed a richly decorated career. His time at Milan saw him win Serie A (1978–79), Coppa Italia (1976–77), Serie B (1980–81), and the Mitropa Cup (1982). Internationally, his crowning achievement was, of course, winning the 1982 World Cup with Italy. Individually, he was named in the Sport Ideal European XI of 1980 and in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1982.
A defender in the truest sense of the word, he embodied the virtues of the Italian defensive tradition: anticipation, intelligence, and a calm composure under pressure. His career spanned both the highs and lows of football, but throughout it all, he remained a stalwart of Italy’s backline, a symbol of consistency and class.
Following his retirement from active football, Fulvio Collovati eventually embarked on a media career, working as a football as an analyst for Italian station RAI on ‘Sunday Sport’.