Fabrizio Casazza was born in Genoa, on September 16, 1970.
He came through the Sampdoria youth sector and joined the first team squad in 1987-88 but did not make his debut under Vujadin Boskov. The Blucerchiati won the Coppa Italia.
In 1988 he was sent to Biellese on loan in the 5th tier. He played 1 league game for the Biella.
In 1989-90 he was back at Sampdoria but again made no appearances under Boskov. The Blucerchiati won the Cup Winners Cup.
In 1990-91 he spent a season at Fidelis Andria on loan in C1. The "Leoni Azzurri" finished 5th under Franco Vannini but Casazza only played 1 league game.
He then joined Pro Sesto in Serie C1 and finally started playing regularly. He stayed three seasons and the Biancocelesti finished 15th, 8th and 6th. Casazza made 73 league appearances.
In 1994 he moved to Verona in Serie B and stayed two seasons. The Scaligeri finished 10th and 2nd (promoted to A under Attilio Perotti). Casazza played 47 league games. His teammates included Lazio connections Marco Di Vaio (1991-95) and Marco Baroni (current Lazio manager).
In 1996 he joined Torino and stayed three seasons. The Granata had just been relegated to Serie B. Toro finished 9th, 5th and 2nd (promoted under Emiliano Mondonico). Casazza played 50 league games. His teammates included Lazio connections Roberto Cravero (1992-95), Roberto Bacci (1990-95), Mauro Bonomi (1992-95). His managers included former Lazio player Giancarlo Camolese (1986-88) and future Lazio manager Edy Reja (2010-12, 2014).
In 1999-2000 he spent a season at Venezia in Serie A. The Lagunari finished 16th and relegated under three different managers: Luciano Spalletti (1-8, 12-20, Giuseppe Materazzi (9-11) and Francesco Oddo (21-34). Casazza played 14 league games.
In 2000 he returned to Sampdoria in Serie B and stayed three seasons. The Blucerchiati finished 6th, 10th and 2nd (promoted under Walter Novellino). Casazza played 10 league games as the main keeper was first Matteo Sereni (Lazio 2003-06, 2006-07), then Luca Mondini and finally Luigi Turci. His teammates included Lazio connections; Alessandro Grandoni (1995-98), Attilio Lombardo (1999-2001), Dario Marcolin (1992-93, 1995-99, 1999-2000), Guglielmo Stendardo (2005-08, 2009-12) and Fabio Bazzani (2005).
In 2003 Casazza signed for Lazio and stayed two seasons. The manager in his first season was Roberto Mancini and despite huge financial problems Lazio finished 6th (UEFA Cup) and won the Coppa Italia (Juventus 4-2 on aggregate). Casazza however was 3rd keeper behind Angelo Peruzzi and Matteo Sereni and made no appearances.
The following was a difficult season. Sergio Cragnotti had left and Claudio Lotito was the new owner, inheriting huge debts. The squad was downgraded with several unknown players coming in. The manager was first Mimmo Caso (1-16) and then Giuseppe Papadopulo (17-38). Lazio survived and the highlight was defeating Roma in an epic 3-1 triumph. Casazza was still 3rd choice and played 3 league games and 1 in the UEFA Cup.
In 2005-06 Marco Ballotta returned to Lazio and Casazza moved on joining Pavia for a season in Serie C1. The Azzurri finished 4th under Marco Torresani. Casazza played 50 league games. His teammates included future Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi (2018-22).
In January 2007 Casazza joined Udinese in Serie A. The manager was Alberto Malesani and the Friulani finished 10th. The first keeper was Morgan De Sanctis backed up by Gabriele Paoletti and Casazza only made 1 league appearance.
After Udine he had brief spells at Calcio Caravaggese (Bergamo) and Virtus Entella (Chiavari, GE) before retiring at 41.
In the last few years of his career, he was already doing some goalkeeper coaching. He had stints at Bolzanetese (2008-09), Virtus Entella (2009-13).
He then worked with Savona (2015-17) with a brief period as assistant manager too and with Savona keepers again (2018-20).
Since 2020 he has been goalkeeper coach with the Sampdoria women's team who play in Serie A.
Casazza was a goalkeeper and he had a decent career. He was not particularly tall at 1.79 but was agile and reliable. He played for some big clubs: Lazio, Torino, Sampdoria and Verona. He won a Cup Winners Cup and a Coppa Italia with Sampdoria and two promotions to Serie A with Verona and Torino.
At Lazio he was third choice keeper and only played 4 times but had the satisfaction of winning the Coppa Italia in 2004.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Europa League |
2004-05 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
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