Sebastiano Rossi
Encyclopedia
Sebastiano Rossi is a retired Italian
footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
During a 21-year professional career, he appeared in 346 Serie A
games, most notably representing A.C. Milan
(12 seasons), with which he won 12 major titles, namely five national championships and the 1994 UEFA Champions League
.
. Refusing the opportunity to play basketball
, he joined his hometown club A.C. Cesena
in 1979, at the age of fifteen. In 1982–83, on loan, he made his senior debuts, A.C. Forlì
, a small club in the Serie C1, being backup in a relegation-ending season.
After two more loans, Rossi returned to Cesena for the 1986–87 season, only missing five games as the Emilia-Romagna
club promoted to Serie A
, and retaining first-choice status in the following three top division seasons, with the club finishing 12th in 1989–90; he made his debut in the competition on 13 September 1987, in a home match against S.S.C. Napoli
.
, and joined the Rossoneri (also dubbed the Dream Team) that dominated Italian football
for much of the 1990s. In his first season he backedup Andrea Pazzagli
, but the veteran left for Bologna F.C. 1909
in the ensuing summer.
Rossi then briefly battled for starting duties with Francesco Antonioli
, before becoming Milan's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, being part of a legendary defensive line that included, amongst others, Mauro Tassotti
, Franco Baresi
, Alessandro Costacurta
and Paolo Maldini
. Ironically, this strong defence was one of the reasons why Rossi was rarely called-up by Italy
: Arrigo Sacchi
, who coached the national team during this time, evidently felt that it was the defence and not the goalkeeper that was responsible for the club's great success. Under the tutelage of Fabio Capello
, the Invincibles went on a famous 58-match unbeaten run and won four Scudetti in five seasons.
After the 1996 championship, Milan suddenly fell from the throne, finishing 11th in 1997 and 10th in 1998, as Rossi's own career also declined. He made fewer and fewer appearances, eventually losing first-choice status to young Christian Abbiati
; aged 34, he did contribute with 13 appearances in another league conquest, in 1998–99.
, who were facing a goalkeeper crisis at the time. He contributed relatively as the club retained its top level status, then retired at the end of that sole campaign, at the age of 39.
Rossi made one final appearance for Milan at the San Siro
, in a testimonial match
for Demetrio Albertini
, his teammate for eleven seasons. Subsequently, he worked as goalkeeper coach in the club's youth department.
for 929 consecutive minutes, before being beaten by an excellent long-range strike by U.S. Foggia
's Igor Kolyvanov
at the San Siro; he beat the record set by Dino Zoff
in the 1972–73 season by 26 minutes.
*European competitions include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup
*Other competitions include the Italian Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
During a 21-year professional career, he appeared in 346 Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
games, most notably representing A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
(12 seasons), with which he won 12 major titles, namely five national championships and the 1994 UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Cesena
Rossi was born in CesenaCesena
Cesena is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, south of Ravenna and west of Rimini, on the Savio River, co-chief of the Province of Forlì-Cesena. It is at the foot of the Apennines, and about 15 km from the Adriatic Sea.-History:Cesena was originally an Umbrian...
. Refusing the opportunity to play basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, he joined his hometown club A.C. Cesena
A.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
in 1979, at the age of fifteen. In 1982–83, on loan, he made his senior debuts, A.C. Forlì
A.C. Forlì
Forlì Football Club is an Italian association football club based in Forlì, Emilia-Romagna.The originary club, called Foot-Ball Club Forlì, was founded in 1919, having last been in Serie B in 1947. Later, the name changed into Associazione Calcio Forlì...
, a small club in the Serie C1, being backup in a relegation-ending season.
After two more loans, Rossi returned to Cesena for the 1986–87 season, only missing five games as the Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
club promoted to Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, and retaining first-choice status in the following three top division seasons, with the club finishing 12th in 1989–90; he made his debut in the competition on 13 September 1987, in a home match against S.S.C. Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
.
Milan
After his first season in Italy's top flight, Rossi was noticed by A.C. MilanA.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
, and joined the Rossoneri (also dubbed the Dream Team) that dominated Italian football
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
for much of the 1990s. In his first season he backedup Andrea Pazzagli
Andrea Pazzagli
Andrea Pazzagli was an Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper, most notably for A.C. Milan in the late 1980s and early 1990s....
, but the veteran left for Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
in the ensuing summer.
Rossi then briefly battled for starting duties with Francesco Antonioli
Francesco Antonioli
Francesco Antonioli is an Italian footballer and goalkeeper who currently plays for Cesena. He is currently the oldest Footballer in the Serie A.-Club career:...
, before becoming Milan's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, being part of a legendary defensive line that included, amongst others, Mauro Tassotti
Mauro Tassotti
Mauro Tassotti is a retired Italian footballer. He played for seventeen years with A.C. Milan, mostly at right back but could also fill in at centre back if required, thanks to his versatility and commitment...
, Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi is an Italian football youth team coach and former player. He played as a sweeper and spent his entire career with Serie A club AC Milan, acknowledged as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game. Baresi was nicknamed "Piscinin", Milanese for "Little one"...
, Alessandro Costacurta
Alessandro Costacurta
Alessandro "Billy" Costacurta is an Italian former professional football defender turned manager.Costacurta spent some twenty years at Milan, with a brief period spent in AC Monza on loan. He is best known for his role alongside Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti, forming one of the...
and Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club...
. Ironically, this strong defence was one of the reasons why Rossi was rarely called-up by Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
: Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi is an Italian football coach. He is best known for his success coaching Italian teams, particularly with Milan where he won back to back European Cups as coach in the late eighties where he was head coach of the Italy national football team . He was twice manager of A.C...
, who coached the national team during this time, evidently felt that it was the defence and not the goalkeeper that was responsible for the club's great success. Under the tutelage of Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
, the Invincibles went on a famous 58-match unbeaten run and won four Scudetti in five seasons.
After the 1996 championship, Milan suddenly fell from the throne, finishing 11th in 1997 and 10th in 1998, as Rossi's own career also declined. He made fewer and fewer appearances, eventually losing first-choice status to young Christian Abbiati
Christian Abbiati
Christian Abbiati is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Milan.-Milan:His debut in Serie A came on January 17, 1999 as a 92nd-minute substitute for Sebastiano Rossi...
; aged 34, he did contribute with 13 appearances in another league conquest, in 1998–99.
Perugia / Retirement
After the 2001–02 season, Rossi moved to Perugia CalcioPerugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
, who were facing a goalkeeper crisis at the time. He contributed relatively as the club retained its top level status, then retired at the end of that sole campaign, at the age of 39.
Rossi made one final appearance for Milan at the San Siro
San Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
, in a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
for Demetrio Albertini
Demetrio Albertini
Demetrio Albertini is a former professional Italian football midfielder who spent most of his career with AC Milan of the Italian Serie A, winning five Serie A titles and three UEFA Champions League titles with that club...
, his teammate for eleven seasons. Subsequently, he worked as goalkeeper coach in the club's youth department.
Record
Rossi is the record holder for the longest streak without conceding a goal in Serie A history. In an 11-match span from 12 December 1993 to 27 February 1994, he kept a clean sheetShutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
for 929 consecutive minutes, before being beaten by an excellent long-range strike by U.S. Foggia
U.S. Foggia
Unione Sportiva Foggia is an Italian football club, based in Foggia, Puglia. The club was founded in 1920. Foggia currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione, having last been in Serie A in 1995....
's Igor Kolyvanov
Igor Kolyvanov
Igor Vladimirovich Kolyvanov is an association footballer and coach. During his playing career he accumulated 90 goals scored in 333 games at the Top level in the Soviet Union as well as in Italy....
at the San Siro; he beat the record set by Dino Zoff
Dino Zoff
Dino Zoff is an Italian former football goalkeeper and is the oldest winner ever of the World Cup, which he earned as captain of the Italian team in the 1982 tournament in Spain, at the age of 40 years, 4 months and 13 days.Zoff was a goalkeeper of outstanding ability and has a place in the...
in the 1972–73 season by 26 minutes.
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cesena A.C. Cesena Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th... |
1981–82 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Forlì | 1982–83 | 11 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Cesena A.C. Cesena Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th... |
1983–84 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Empoli Empoli F.C. Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions... |
1984–85 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Rondinella | 1985–86 | 28 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Cesena A.C. Cesena Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th... |
1986–87 | 33 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1987–88 | 27 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1988–89 | 33 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1989–90 | 34 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
1990–91 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 18 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1991–92 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 32 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1992–93 | 27 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 39 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1993–94 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| 1994–95 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 1995–96 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 34 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1996–97 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 1997–98 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 27 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1998–99 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 16 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1999–00 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2000–01 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 17 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2001–02 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 6 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Perugia Perugia Calcio Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles.... |
2002–03 | 12 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Milan totals | 240 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 330 | 0 | |
| Career totals | 418 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
*European competitions include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup
*Other competitions include the Italian Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup
Honours
- MilanA.C. MilanAssociazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
:- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1993–94 - UEFA Super Cup: 1990, 1994
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 19901990 Intercontinental CupThe 1990 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 9 December 1990 between Milan of Italy, winners of the 1989–90 European Cup, and Olimpia of Paraguay, winners of the 1990 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the National Stadium in Tokyo in front of 60,228... - Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
: 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99 - Supercoppa ItalianaSupercoppa ItalianaThe Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
: 19921992 Supercoppa ItalianaThe 1992 Supercoppa Italiana was a match played by the 1991–92 Serie A winners Milan and 1991–92 Coppa Italia winners Parma. It took place on 30 August 1992 at the San Siro in Milan, Italy. A.C...
, 19931993 Supercoppa ItalianaThe 1993 Supercoppa Italiana was a match played by the 1992–93 Serie A winners Milan and 1992–93 Coppa Italia winners Torino. It took place on 21 August 1993 at the RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., USA...
, 19941994 Supercoppa ItalianaThe 1994 Supercoppa Italiana was a match played by the 1993–94 Serie A winners Milan and 1993–94 Coppa Italia winners Sampdoria. It took place on 28 August 1994 at the San Siro in Milan, Italy. A.C...
- UEFA Champions League