Gianni Sassaroli was born in Monte Roberto di Jesi (Ancona) on July 27, 1946.
At the age of two his family moved to Rome so he grew up in the capital.
His early football was played in the Oratorio di Don Bosco. At 16 he moved to Bettini Quadraro and then joined the Lazio youth setup after being scouted by Enrique Flamini. Sassaroli however was ordered to lose weight and put on a strict diet. In 1964-65 made it to the first team squad but never got his debut.
In 1965-66 he went to Avellino on loan. The Irpini were in Serie C and finished 4th. The manager was Ulisse Giunchi with Walter Crociani as technical director. Sassaroli played 15 league games and scored 1 goal. One of his teammates was former Lazio, Alberto Recchia (1963-64).
In 1966-67 Sassaroli returned to Lazio and apparently never even got paid at Avellino. Lazio were in Serie A and the manager was first Umberto Mannocci and then Maino Neri after 7 games. It was a negative season and the Biancocelesti finished 15th and relegated. Sassaroli played 4 league games and scored 2 goals (SPAL on debut and Foggia).
The following season in Serie B was his big chance and he was expected to be a regular starter. In the first game of the season however he suffered a serious injury and ended up the season with only 5 league appearances and 1 in Coppa Italia. Lazio finished a disappointing 11th, first under Renato Gei (1-24) and then Roberto Lovati (25-42).
In 1968 he was sent to Messina on loan and stayed two seasons. The Sicilians were in Serie C and finished 8th and 7th. The manager was former Lazio player and manager Paolo Todeschini the first year and Tonino Colomban in the second. Sassaroli played 51 league games and scored 7 goals.
In 1970 he joined Alessandria and stayed two years. The Grigi from Piemonte were in Serie C and finished 2nd twice. The manager was Sergio Manente the first season followed by Mario David and Mario Pietruzzi in the second. Sassaroli played 67 league games and scored 19 goals (top scorer with 14 in 70-71). His teammates included former Lazio, Giuseppe Lorenzetti (1967-68), Vincenzo Proietti Farinelli (1964-66, 1967-68), Sergio De Luca (1967-68), Ezio Paparelli (1967-69) and Claudio Di Pucchio (1966-67, 1968-69).
In 1972-73 he spent a year at Frosinone in Serie C. The Ciociari finished 10th, first under Feliciano Orazi and then former Lazio Umberto Mannocci (1964-66). Sassaroli played 19 league games and scored 4 goals.
The rest of his career was then in minor Roman clubs. In 1973-74 he won promotion to Serie C with Cynthia (29 games, 7 goals). In 1974-75 he was relegated to Promozione (5th tier) with Lupa Roma (32 games, 10 goals). His last season was with ALMAS in 1975-76 in Serie D (23 league games and an unknown number of goals).
After retiring he reappeared in the football world as head coach of Aprilia, south of Rome, in 1986-87 at amateur level and finished 2nd.
Sassaroli was a forward. His best years were with Alessandria but his biggest club was Lazio where he played in the highest category. He was unlucky with the Biancocelesti as he got badly injured just as he could have had the chance to make his breakthrough in Serie B.
Sassaroli died prematurely at 43 of a heart attack on December 12, 1989 in Rome.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup |
1966-67 | 6 (2) | 4 (2) | - | 1 | 1 |
1967-68 | 6 | - | 5 | 1 | - |
Total | 12 (2) | 4 (2) | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Sources
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