Fabio Poli was born in San Benedetto Val di Sambro (Bologna), on November 22, 1962.
He started playing football for local clubs Pianorese and Vadese Calcio but his first big team was Modena. He played for the "Canarini" (The Canaries) in Serie C for two seasons between 1980 and 1982. He made 43 appearances with 3 goals. The Gialloblù finished 12th and third but won the Anglo-Italian Cup twice (against Poole Town and Sutton Town).
In 1982 he joined Bologna but never played and in November moved to Cagliari in Serie A. In his first year "Casteddu" were relegated under Gustavo Giagnoni. The following year the Sardinians finished 11th under Mario Tiddia and 16th the year after, which saw the arrival of Renzo Ulivieri as coach in October. He played 83 league games and scored 10 goals in his three years on the island.
In 1985 Poli joined Lazio. He arrived in the capital at a difficult time. Lazio had just been relegated, there were internal feuds among those running the club, little money and unpaid wages. Despite a good team and a respected manager, Gigi Simoni, it was not an ideal situation to win promotion. In fact Lazio came 11th but at one point even risked going down. Poli played 29 league games with 1 goal (Brescia) and 5 games in Coppa Italia.
The following season was dramatic. In the summer Lazio were initially demoted to Serie C and then the decision was changed to a nine point docking in Serie B. This was due to an alleged involvement of Lazio player Claudio Vinazzani in the 1986 betting scandal. The Biancocelesti had a new manager, Eugenio Fascetti, and Serie A ambitions but the court verdict changed everything. The whole squad however decided to stay and fight.
After a strong start Lazio predictably ran out of steam in the second part of the season. They ultimately earned the right to a three-team relegation playoff, after an 82nd minute winner by Giuliano Fiorini against Vicenza. The playoffs were played in Naples in July. The first game was unluckily lost 1-0 against Taranto, with a goal two metres offside. Lazio took 25,000 fans to the game and the same number returned for the decisive game against Campobasso. Only a win could save the Romans from the drop and possibly worse (the future of the club itself was at risk). In the 53rd minute Poli became a legend heading the winner in Lazio's 1-0 victory. He ended the season with a bang but had performed well throughout with 31 league appearances and 4 goals (Bari, Taranto, Genoa, Pescara) plus 6 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Vicenza).
Despite his heroics, Poli was surprisingly sold to Bologna for the 1987-88 season. The "Felsinei" were near home and had Serie A ambitions but Poli wanted to stay with Lazio and has since stated he felt betrayed.
He had an excellent first season with the Rossoblu under Luigi Maifredi and won promotion (alongside Lazio), playing 34 league games with 9 goals (Udinese, Lazio…, Taranto, Catanzaro, Cremonese, Barletta, Lazio again…, Sambenedettese x2). He also scored 2 goals in Coppa Italia (Campobasso, Verona). Bologna finished top of Serie B (Lazio also promoted in 3rd place).
His second season was positive too. He made 29 league appearances with 4 goals (Juventus, Sampdoria, Torino x2) and 4 in Coppa Italia with 3 goals (Spezia x2, Barletta). He also scored 3 goals in the Mitropa Cup where the Emiliani were losing finalists (Banik Ostrawa). Bologna finished 13th in Serie A.
In 1989-90, in October, he ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments and it limited his season to 12 league games with 2 goals (Juventus, Bari). Bologna however had a good campaign and finished 8th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
In 1990-91 Maifredi left for Juventus and had it not been for his injury would have taken Poli with him. Instead Poli remained, first under Franco Scoglio and then Gigi Radice, and Bologna were relegated. Poli played 15 league games with 1 goal (Roma), 3 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Reggiana, Modena) and 3 games in the UEFA Cup.
It was in this season that Pioli was involved in a nasty incident. At the end of a home game against Juventus he got into an argument with Totò Schillaci. Poli was exaggeratedly accused of punching the Sicilian, something he has always denied. The Italia' 90 hero then threatened him with the words,"I'll have you shot in the mouth". The scuffle made the headlines but from victim Poli became villain and was suddenly "persona non grata". He claims to have been ostracized by the football world ever since.
He stayed on in Serie B. Gigi Maifredi returned after a disappointing spell at Juventus but was replaced by Nedo Sonetti in November. Bologna had a mediocre year finishing 13th. Poli played 31 league games with 2 goals (Lucchese, Casertana).
In 1992, with no big clubs interested in him, he joined Siena in Serie C1. His year with "Robur" was however plagued by injury and he only played 9 league games.
At this point, at 30 years of age, he went down to 6th tier regional level and joined Iperzola (Bologna). In his second year the "Zolesi" were promoted to the National Amateur League (Eccellenza) and in 1996 promoted to Serie C2. In 1997 he was also player manager.
In 1998 he joined Felsina San Lazzaro (Bologna) in Serie D and stayed 4 seasons. He then had a final season with local amateur team Pro Malalbergo.
After retiring he was manager for some local Serie D teams, Felsina San Lazzaro and Boca San Lazzaro.
Since 2009 he has not been involved in football. Like many football players of the past he opened a sports shop in his hometown.
Pioli was an attacking midfielder who usually played on the wing. He was small (1.73) and light (68 kilos) but very quick, dynamic and athletic. He was technical and skilful with excellent dribbling qualities. He probably deserved a better career with his talent but his definite step to the top level was shattered by injury, from which he never recovered completely. He is however one of the few players to have scored in all the top six categories of Italian football.
At Lazio he only played two seasons but is a club hero. His goal against Campobasso is considered one of the most important in their 123 history. It's difficult to rank goals but personally I would put it in the top ten. In no particular order: Giuliano Fiorini (Vicenza '87), Marcelo Salas (Manchester United '99), Diego Simeone (Juventus 2000), Pavel Nedved (Mallorca '99), Fabio Poli (Campobasso '87), Senad Lulic (Roma '13), Giorgio Chinaglia (Foggia '74), Maurilio Prini (Fiorentina '58), Alessandro Nesta (Milan '98) and Alessandro Calori (Perugia Juventus 2000). He is in good company.
Without Fiorini and Pioli's goals there may never have been any of the rest. Poli and "Il Gol di Poli" will live on eternally in Lazio's history.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1985-86 | 34 (1) | 29 (1) | 5 |
1986-87 | 37 (6) | 31 (5) | 6 (1) |
Total | 71 (7) | 60 (6) | 11 (1) |
Sources
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