Claudio Vertova was born in Treviglio (Bergamo), on July 6, 1959.
His first club was local Trevigliese. In 1978 he moved to Monza in Serie B but never made his debut. The Brianzoli finished 4th then losing the playoff for Serie A (Pescara 0-2).
In 1979 he joined Sanremese in Serie C1. He stayed four seasons and the Matuziani finished 4th, 8th, 11th and 12th. His managers were Ezio Carboni, Giancarlo Danova, Bruno Baveni and Giorgio Canali. Vertova played 100 league games and scored 5 goals.
In 1983 he moved to Tuscany and joined Empoli in Serie B. The Azzurri finished 16th under Vincenzo Guerini. Vertova played 30 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included former Lazio Vincenzo Mirra ('81-82) and future top manager Walter Mazzarri.
In 1984-85 Empoli finished 8th and Vertova played 37 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia.
In 1985-86 the manager was Gaetano Salvemini and Empoli finished 4th. They won promotion due to Vicenza being punished for some of their players' involvement in the Totonero-bis betting scandal. Vertova played 32 league games with 1 goal (Cagliari) and 9 in Coppa Italia (Empoli reached quarters knocking out Milan but lost to Fiorentina 3-5 on aggregate).
In Serie A in 1986-87 Empoli finished 13th. They beat Inter and Fiorentina 1-0 both at home. Vertova played 29 league games with 1 goal (winner against Verona) and 7 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1987-88 Empoli were relegated back to Serie B. They beat Juventus and Roma at home but ended up 16th. Vertova played 29 league games and 8 in Coppa Italia (Empoli reached quarters knocking out Roma but lost to Inter 1-3 on aggregate.
In 1988-89 Vertova moved to Atalanta in Serie A. The "Dea" manager was Emiliano Mondonico and the Bergamaschi finished 6th. They beat Milan and Juventus away and Lazio both home and away. Vertova played 14 league games and 7 games in Coppa Italia (Atalanta reached semis knocking out Lazio but lost to Sampdoria 3-6 on aggregate). His teammates included, former Lazio, Oliviero Garlini and Vincenzo Esposito plus future Lazio, Armando Madonna.
In 1989-90 Vertova stayed in Bergamo. Atalanta finished 7th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Their best results were beating Juventus 1-0 away, Inter 2-1 and Roma 3-0 both at home plus Lazio home and away, 2-1 and 4-0. Vertova played 19 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup (out in 1st round to Spartak Moscow 0-2).
In November 1990 Vertova joined Lazio. The manager was Dino Zoff and Vertova stayed two seasons. Lazio had plenty of defenders including first choice centre backs Angelo Gregucci and Roberto Soldà plus Cristiano Bergodi. Over two years Vertova only played 6 league games. Lazio finished 11th and 10th.
In 1992 he joined Lecco in Serie C2. The manager was Giuseppe Savoldi and the Manzoniani finished 5th. Vertova played 23 league games.
He then retired from professional football at almost 34. He did however continue playing at amateur level for his hometown club Trevigliese.
Vertova was a central defender. He was strong physically, 1.86 metres and 78 kilos. He had a good sense of position and aerial abilities.
He played 97 games in Serie A and won a promotion with Empoli. His best years were with Empoli and Atalanta.
At Lazio he was basically a reserve. He was behind Gregucci, Soldà, Bergodi, Luigi Corino and so got very little playing time.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances Serie A |
1990-91 | 4 |
1991-92 | 2 |
Total | 6 |
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