Marco Andreolli (born 10 June 1986) is a retired Italian professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Known for his physical presence and aerial ability, Andreolli had a career spanning over 15 years, primarily in the Serie A, the top flight of Italian football.
Club Career
Andreolli began his youth career at Padova before joining the Inter Milan youth system. He made his senior debut for Inter during the 2004–05 season. Despite being highly regarded, he found regular first-team opportunities limited at Inter and was loaned out to Vicenza in Serie B for the 2006–07 season to gain experience.
In 2007, Andreolli moved to Roma in a co-ownership deal. During his time at Roma, he also had loan spells with Ancona and Sassuolo. He then transferred to Chievo Verona in 2010, where he established himself as a reliable first-team defender. His consistent performances over three seasons at Chievo, making over 80 league appearances, attracted attention from bigger clubs.
Andreolli returned to Inter Milan in 2013 on a free transfer. However, once again, he struggled to secure a permanent starting spot. He was subsequently loaned to Sevilla in Spain for the 2015–16 season, experiencing football outside Italy for the first time, though injuries limited his appearances.
After his second stint at Inter, Andreolli joined Cagliari in January 2017. He played regularly for Cagliari before moving to Genoa in 2018. His later career saw him return to Chievo Verona and then play for Ascoli before his retirement.
International Career
Andreolli represented Italy at various youth levels. He was a member of the Italy U21 squad, making several appearances and participating in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He did not earn a cap for the senior Italy national football team.
Playing Style
Andreolli was primarily a physically strong and robust central defender. He was noted for his defensive positioning, ability to win aerial duels, and an imposing presence in the backline. While not renowned for his offensive contributions, his primary role was to provide stability and defensive solidity.
Honours
- Serie A: 2005–06 (Inter Milan) – Andreolli was part of the squad that was retroactively awarded the title following the Calciopoli scandal, though he had minimal appearances.
- Coppa Italia: 2004–05, 2005–06 (Inter Milan)
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2005 (Inter Milan)