Massimo Ambrosini

Massimo Ambrosini

Ambrosini with Milan in 2012
Personal information
Full name Massimo Ambrosini
Date of birth (1977-05-29) 29 May 1977
Place of birth Pesaro, Marche, Italy
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1992–1994 Cesena
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1995 Cesena 25 (1)
1995–2013 Milan 344 (29)
1997–1998 → Vicenza (loan) 27 (1)
2013–2014 Fiorentina 21 (0)
Total 417 (31)
National team
1995 Italy U18 22 (4)
1995–2000 Italy U21 18 (1)
1999–2008 Italy 35 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:40, 27 March 2014 (UTC).


Massimo Ambrosini (born 29 May 1977 in Pesaro, Marche) is a former Italian professional footballer, who mainly played as a defensive midfielder. At club level, he is mostly known for his successful time at Italian team A.C. Milan, where he spent eighteen years of his career, winning several titles, and even captained the side from 2009 to 2013, following the retirement of Paolo Maldini. Ambrosini retired from professional football in 2014, after a season with Fiorentina. At international level, he represented Italy at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and in two UEFA European Championships, winning a runners-up medal at UEFA Euro 2000.

Club career

Milan

Ambrosini began his career with Cesena and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994–95 season. Milan coach Fabio Capello then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the Serie A championship. Only used marginally more in 1996–97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to Vicenza, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the San Siro, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the Coppa Italia (scoring in a 4–1 win in the first leg)[1] and UEFA Champions League during the 2002–03 season, where he replaced Rui Costa in the 87th minute at Old Trafford.

In 2003–04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made 20 Serie A appearances – predominantly as a substitute – and scored one goal as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June 2008.

In 2004–05, he struggled to break into Milan first team, making only made 22 Serie A appearances and scoring one goal. It is his late goal, however, that took Milan to the UEFA Champions League final. With Milan losing 2–0, a scoreline which would have sent the match to extra time as Milan defeated PSV with the same score in the San Siro, Ambrosini scored a header in second half injury time to bring the score to 2–1 and give Milan the 3–2 aggregate lead. PSV immediately responded with a goal of their own to tie the aggregate score at 3–3, but Milan advanced to the final on the away goals rule. Ambrosini, however, missed the final in Istanbul with yet another injury as Milan were defeated on penalties by Liverpool.

In 2005–06, he again suffered a series of injuries which limited him to just 13 Serie A appearances and one goal, thus making him out of contention for the Italian squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Ambrosini playing with A.C. Milan in May 2007

In 2006–07, Ambrosini fully recovered from his injury. He was not an immediate first-team choice, but following a series of stunning performances, he eventually made it and forced Carlo Ancelotti to change his formation from 4–3–1–2 to 4–3–2–1 (alternatively, 4–4–1–1). He has scored two decisive goals from his head in Serie A competition against Sampdoria and Atalanta. He was also a key member to Milan's victory over Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, balancing the game for Milan through his vision and leadership skills. It was also his vision that ensured Milan a place in the final. Having stolen the ball from Manchester United, Ambrosini immediately passed to a free Alberto Gilardino. Gilardino scored to make it 3–0, thus ending United's hope of winning the trophy.

Ambrosini originally intended to join Milan due to lack of first-team choice, but changed his mind after the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. He renewed his contract with Milan until 2010. Shortly after, he started in the final of the 2006–07 Champions League and played a strong game in Milan's 2–1 win over Liverpool. In Paolo Maldini's absence, Ambrosini was once again the stand-in captain for the European Super Cup Final against UEFA Cup winners Sevilla FC, which Milan won 3–1.

Ambrosini in action for A.C. Milan in 2012

Ambrosini was Milan captain in the absence of Paolo Maldini throughout the 2007–08 campaign. In this campaign, Ambrosini scored four goals. He scored decisive goals against Palermo and Empoli, and played very well in the home leg of the Milan derby against Internazionale on 4 May 2008, setting up the second goal for teammate Kaká and putting in an excellent performance throughout the game, which Milan won 2–1. Unfortunately, despite winning 4–1 against Udinese on the final day of the season, Milan could only finish fifth and qualify for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.

During the 2008–09 campaign, Ambrosini was once again a regular fixture in the Milan starting lineup, making 26 appearances in the team's Serie A campaign. During a pre-season friendly tournament against Juventus, Ambrosini was named Man of the Match as he netted twice to secure a Milan victory. His second goal was a superb effort into the roof of the net, past a bewildered Alex Manninger.

This season was also memorable for him as he had managed a season total of eight goals (one in the UEFA Cup), more than he has scored in any season in his career with Milan. The goals included a brilliant header off David Beckham's free kick against Lazio, and a well-placed goal in a 5–1 win over Torino. Ambrosini also scored his first brace in a competitive fixture in a 3–2 loss to Roma during Paolo Maldini's final home game, and received a standing ovation from the home crowd despite being sent off by the referee for a second yellow card.

On 6 July 2009, as the Milan team reunited for pre-season training, Ambrosini was officially named club captain, inheriting the armband from Paolo Maldini. On 8 September 2009, he added one more year to his current contract to 2011.[2] He won the Serie A title in 2010–11 season with three games in hand, edging out city rivals Internazionale. On 19 May 2011, he signed a new, one-year contract.[3] After the disappointing second-place finish in the 2011–12 season and the departure of fellow team greats Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, and Clarence Seedorf, Ambrosini was reported to be considering his future with the club, but Adriano Galliani was able to convince Massimo to sign yet another one-year deal and continue on to be the captain for Milan for the 2012–13 season. Milan eventually finished the season in third behind champions Juventus and runners-up Napoli, securing Champions League football for the next season.

On 11 June 2013 A.C. Milan CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed that Ambrosini would leave the San Siro, once his contract has expired, in June 2013, ending an eighteen-year stay with the club. Riccardo Montolivo was later confirmed as the club's new captain.

Fiorentina

On 4 July 2013 Fiorentina confirmed on their official website that they had won the race to sign Ambrosini on a one-year deal, beating West Ham United who were also looking to sign him.[4] He made 30 appearances for Fiorentina in his first season with La Viola, helping the club to fourth place in Serie A. Massimo Ambrosini would announce on 21 May 2014 that he would be leaving Fiorentina after only one season, he said "My adventure with Fiorentina ends here. I thank Florence, it has been a fantastic year."

International career

Ambrosini made his international debut in April 1999 against Croatia, under manager Dino Zoff, and was later part of the Italian squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics and at UEFA Euro 2000, which ended with an appearance as a substitute in the final loss to France. Ambrosini was unavailable for selection for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals through injury and then failed to break into the squad for the UEFA Euro 2004 finals.[5]

On 16 August 2006, Ambrosini earned his 23rd cap for Italy after almost two years of absence from the squad. For this match, he was given the captain's armband by coach Roberto Donadoni in the absence of regular contenders for the armband. He was then called up by the national side's manager to Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. After Donadoni's dismissal, however, Marcello Lippi was put back in charge, and Ambrosini was no longer called for Italy, despite putting in battling displays for Milan.

Style of play

A physically strong, tenacious, energetic, and hardworking defensive midfielder, Ambrosini was well regarded for his ability in the air, and was capable of being a goal-threat, in particular from set-pieces, due to his heading accuracy, as well as his powerful striking ability from distance, which even led manager Carlo Ancelotti to deploy him as a centre forward on occasion. Throughout his career, he stood out for his leadership, as well as his stamina, versatility, tactical intelligence, and aggressive tackling. Although Ambrosini primarily served as a ball winner, he was also known for his ability to start attacking plays after winning back possession, courtesy of his vision and passing range, despite his lack of notable technical skills.[6][7][8][9][10]

Personal life

Massimo Ambrosini is married to an Italian woman, Paola Ambrosini.[11] Ambrosini has two children with his wife, his son Federico Ambrosini was born on 11 May 2009,[12] and his daughter Angelica Ambrosini was born on 21 November 2011.[13]

Career statistics

As of 27 March 2014[14]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cesena 1994–95 Serie B25120——271
Total 25120——271
Vicenza (loan) 1997–98 Serie A27110—6[lower-alpha 1]0341
Total 27111—60341
Milan 1995–96 Serie A70403[lower-alpha 2]0—140
1996–97 Serie A110304[lower-alpha 3]0—180
1998–99 Serie A26130——291
1999–2000 Serie A292402[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0362
2000–01 Serie A163317[lower-alpha 3]0—264
2001–02 Serie A93103[lower-alpha 2]0—133
2002–03 Serie A2113113[lower-alpha 3]0—372
2003–04 Serie A201316[lower-alpha 3]03[lower-alpha 4]0322
2004–05 Serie A2214211[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 4]0384
2005–06 Serie A131104[lower-alpha 3]0—181
2006–07 Serie A1923012[lower-alpha 3]0—342
2007–08 Serie A334007[lower-alpha 3]03[lower-alpha 1]0434
2008–09 Serie A287005[lower-alpha 2]1—338
2009–10 Serie A301108[lower-alpha 3]0—391
2010–11 Serie A181104[lower-alpha 3]0—231
2011–12 Serie A221206[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0311
2012–13 Serie A200104[lower-alpha 3]0—250
Total 344293759929048936
Fiorentina 2013–14 Serie A210108[lower-alpha 2]1—301
Total 2101081—301
Career total 41731415107315058039
  1. 1 2 Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in Italian Supercup

International

[5]

Italy national team
Year Apps Goals
1999 10
2000 70
2001 00
2002 60
2003 50
2004 30
2005 00
2006 10
2007 60
2008 60
Total 350

Honours

Club

Milan[15]

National team

Italy national team[15]

Orders

5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: (2000)[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Al Milan anche la Coppa Italia". La Repubblica. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "AVANTI, CAPITANO!" (in Italian). AC Milan. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  3. ↑ "A.C. MILAN COMUNICATO UFFICIALE". AC Milan (in Italian). 19 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Massimo Ambrosini signs one-year deal with Fiorentina". Sky Sports News. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Ambrosini, Massimo". figc.it (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "BBC Sport, Euro 2000 Profile: Massimo Ambrosini". BBC. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  7. ↑ John Ley (9 June 2000). "Italy Team Details". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Carlo Laudisa (19 December 2003). "Samp consolati Ecco Ambrosini" [Samp, console yourself Here's Ambrosini] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Andrea Masala (29 October 1999). "Ambrosini e Gattuso, il Milan che corre" [Ambrosini and Gattuso, the Milan that runs] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Alberto Costa (22 October 2007). "Ambrosini centravanti, una geniale provocazione" [Ambrosini centre forward, an ingenious provocation] (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  11. ↑ "Nel giorno del riposo rossonero Ambrosini fa il veneziano e dice sì". goal.com (in Italian). Goal.com. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  12. ↑ Vince Masiello (11 May 2009). "Milan Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini Becomes A Father". goal.com. Goal.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Pietro Mazzara (22 November 2011). "Fiocco rosa in casa Ambrosini: è nata Angelica". milannews.it (in Italian). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Massimo Ambrosini". AC Milan. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  15. 1 2 "M. Ambrosini". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Ambrosini Sig. Massimo - Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana". quirinale.it. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Paolo Maldini		 Milan captain
2009–2013 		Succeeded by
Riccardo Montolivo
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