Andrea Icardi was born in Milan, on June 14, 1963.
He was formed as a footballer in the A.C Milan's youth sector. He then made his debut for the first team in 1980.
The Rossoneri were in Serie B following being punished for some of their players involvement in the Totonero match fixing scandal (Lazio had suffered the same fate). Milan were then promoted under former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini (until the penultimate match after which he resigned) and then for the last match, another Lazio connection, Italo Galbiati. Icardi played 5 league games. His teammates included former Lazio, Mauro Tassotti.
In 1981-82 back in Serie A, first under Gigi Radice (1-15) and then Galbiati again (16-30) Milan were surprisingly relegated again. Icardi played 20 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia.
In 1982-83 Milan were promoted again, this time with Lazio too. The "Diavolo's" manager was former Lazio, Ilario Castagner and Icardi played 30 league games with 2 goals (Lecce, Reggiana) and 8 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1983-84 Castagner stayed on until the 25th fixture when he was replaced by Galbiati. Milan finished 8th and Icardi played 24 league games with 1 goal (Fiorentina, 90th minute equaliser) and 8 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1984-85 the manager was Nils Liedholm and Milan finished 5th (UEFA Cup) and were runners-up in Coppa Italia (Sampdoria 1-3 on aggregate). Icardi played 17 league games and 9 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Inter).
The 1985-86 season was his last with Milan. The manager was Liedholm again and Icardi played 21 league games with 2 goals (Bari, Como) plus 7 games In Coppa Italia. Milan finished 7th in Serie A. His teammates included future Lazio keeper, Giuliano Terraneo.
In 1986 he moved to nearby Bergamo and joined Atalanta. The Orobici were relegated to Serie B under Nedo Sonetti. Icardi played 24 league games and 11 in Coppa Italia. The Bergamaschi did well in the domestic cup reaching the final but losing 0-4 on aggregate to Maradona's Napoli. The Nerazzurri however qualified for the Cup Winners Cup as the Partenopei also won the Scudetto.
The following year Emiliano Mondonico arrived as manager and Atalanta were promoted in 4th place. Icardi played 32 league games and 5 in the Cup Winners Cup. They did well in Europe reaching the semi-final (eliminating Welsh Merthyr Tydfil, Greek OFI Crete, Portuguese Sporting Lisbon) but lost 2-4 on aggregate to eventual surprise winners, Belgian Malines.
In 1988 Icardi joined newly promoted Lazio. The manager was new too as Giuseppe Materazzi took over from Eugenio Fascetti. It was a season of draws, 19, only 5 victories and 10 defeats. Lazio finished 11th. The highlight was beating Roma 1-0 in January with a Paolo Di Canio goal. It was the first derby win in ten years. Icardi played that game and a total of 25 league games plus 9 in Coppa Italia (Lazio reached the quarterfinals, Atalanta 3-4 on aggregate).
In the 1989-90 season he stayed in Rome and Lazio finished 9th. Icardi played 28 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. The highlights of the season were beating Milan 1-0 away, eventual champions Napoli 3-0 at home and Inter 2-1 at home.
In 1990 Icardi returned up north and joined Verona in Serie B. The manager was Eugenio Fascetti and the Gialloblù were promoted in 2nd place. His teammates included former Lazio, Ernesto Calisti, Silvano Martina and Antonio Elia Acerbis.
The following year Verona were relegated, first under Fascetti and then Nils Liedholm. Icardi played 31 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Lecce x2).
Back in Serie B in 1992-93, under future Lazio Edy Reja, the Scaligeri finished 12th. In his three years in Verona he played a total of 78 league games.
He then went for an Australian experience and in 1993 joined the Marconi Stallions from Sydney. He only played 6 league games but scored 3 goals.
He then retired at 31. In his career he also played 9 times for Italy U21's.
He started a manager career immediately with the Marconi Stallions. In 1995 he returned to Europe and worked in the Milan youth academy for three years. In 1998-99 he was with the Monza youth sector and from 2001 to 2003 the Alessandria Juniores team. In 2003-04 he was in charge of Derthona's first team in Eccellenza (5th tier) finishing 2nd (losing playoffs). In 2004-05 he was manager of Voghera in Serie D, finishing 3rd.
He is currently back in Australia. He is married to an Australian and runs the Milan Academy there.
Icardi was a solid midfielder. He is 1.71 and 72 kilos and made athleticism and dynamism his main asset. His strengths were his tackling and ball winning abilities. A no frills but hardworking, tireless midfielder, always popular with managers.
At Lazio he stayed two years and was a regular choice in midfield alongside Claudio Sclosa, Gabriele Pin and Pedro Troglio. He was part of the transition between the difficult years and the glory years, the Sosa-Amarildo-Troglio phase, as the popular chant goes, a carefree and positive period. He played a total of 63 games for the Biancocelesti.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1988-89 | 34 | 25 | 9 |
1989-90 | 29 | 28 | 1 |
Total | 63 | 53 | 10 |
Source
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