Giuseppe Galderisi was born in Salerno on March 22, 1963. He grew up in Trecasali near Parma.
His first club however was Vierti-Raito near Salerno. At 14 he joined Juventus' academy. He made his first team debut in August 1980 in a cup game and then played his first Serie A game against Perugia in November in his only league appearance. He stayed three years with the "Old Lady". The manager was Giovanni Trapattoni and in the second season Galderisi played more due to Roberto Bettega suffering an injury. Galderisi played 16 league games with 6 goals (Udinese, Catanzaro x2, Milan x3). The following year however, he only played 7 League games as Juventus had Paolo Rossi, Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek up front. In Coppa Italia he made 6 appearances with 1 goal (Inter) and also played 1 game in the European Cup. In his three seasons in Turin he won 2 league titles and a Coppa Italia but lost a European Cup final to Hamburger SV, 0-1 in Athens.
In 1983 he joined Verona. He stayed with the Gialloblu for three seasons. It was a good period for the Scaligeri under manager Osvaldo Bagnoli. The Veronesi finished 6th, won a historic Scudetto and 10th. Galderisi played 82 league games with 24 goals (Milan, Ascoli x2, Avellino, Milan, Catania, Juventus, Napoli, Udinese, Juventus, Fiorentina, Cremonese, Ascoli, Udinese, Fiorentina x2, Sampdoria, Avellino, Torino, Avellino x2, Napoli, Milan, Roma) 24 games in Coppa Italia with 10 goals (Cagliari, Bari x2, Catania, Inter, Cremonese, Parma x2, Pisa x2) and 5 in Europe (UC 2, EC 3) with 3 goals (Red Star Belgrade x2, Sturm Graz). In this period, he also played for Italy. His performances earned him a call from AC Milan.
In 1986 he joined the Rossoneri. The manager was first Nils Liedholm (1-24) and then Fabio Capello. The Milanesi finished 5th. Galderisi played 21 league games with 3 goals (Inter, Empoli, Fiorentina) and 7 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Barletta). He was not however the success the club had hoped.
In 1987 he joined Lazio on loan in Serie B. For Lazio he was a big name and there were big hopes put on the striker. Lazio won promotion under Eugenio Fascetti but Galderisi did not shine. He played 33 league games with 1 goal (Bologna) and 5 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Juventus).
In 1988 he returned to Verona in Serie A. Bagnoli was still manager and Galderisi played 28 league games with 4 goals (Lecce x2, Atalanta, Sampdoria) and 9 games in Coppa Italia with 4 goals (Taranto x2, Juventus, Torino). The Gialloblu finished 14th. His teammates included Lazio connections Pedro Troglio (1989-91) and Stefano Pioli (manager 2014-16).
In 1989 he joined Padova in Serie B. He would stay six full seasons. The Patavini finished 11th, 5th, 12th, 4th (promoted), 14th in A. He played 192 league games with 34 goals (all in B), 7 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal. His managers included Enzo Ferrari, Mario Colautti, Bruno Mazzia, Mauro Sandreani (promotion year and A). His teammates included Lazio connections: Giancarlo Camolese (1986-88), Antonio Rizzolo (1986-89), Demetrio Albertini (2003-04). In 1995 he started the year but after 7 games in A and 1 in Coppa Italia he left for the States in April.
He joined New England Revolution but after only 4 games he moved to Tampa Bay Mutiny in May. He stayed until October 1997, playing 42 league games with 12 goals. In October 1997 he returned to N.E Revolution for three months and played an extra 7 games with 2 goals.
At 33 he retired.
At international level he won 10 caps for Italy and took part in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico playing all four games. He also won 16 caps for the U21's with 2 goals (winning bronze at 1984 European Championship)
Since retiring Galderisi has become a manager in the lower tiers. He has had stints at Cremonese (C2, 7th place), Mestre (C2, sacked), Giulianova (C1, sacked), Gubbio (C2, 5th), Viterbo (C2, 19th), Sambenedettese (C1, sacked), Avellino (C1, sacked), Foggia (C1, 5th), Pescara (Serie D, sacked), Arezzo (D, 3rd- lost promotion playoff), Benevento (D, 2nd- lost promotion playoff), Triestina (D, 15th -relegated), Salernitana (D, sacked), Olhanense (Portuguese top flight, 16th-relegated), Lucchese (Lega Pro, 10th, 10th and relegated), Gubbio (C, 12th), Vis Pesaro (C, 14th and then relegation), Mantova (C, sacked), Gelbison (C, last few games and relegated). So, a twenty-year career without many high points so far.
As a player he was a striker. He was quick and agile at 1.68 and 70 kilos, his nickname was "Nanu" (from nano meaning dwarf). Despite his diminutive size he had a powerful shot and good heading abilities. He was primarily however a goal vulture using his speed and innate goal scoring skills to punish defences. He had his best years at Verona winning a historic Scudetto in 1985. Also memorable was his hat-trick for Juventus against Milan in 1982. His career was hampered by several injuries which limited his performances.
At Lazio he was a disappointment. He only scored one league goal but the fact that Lazio won promotion means the fans remember his stay more benevolently than it possibly deserves.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1987-88 | 38 (2) | 33 (1) | 5 (1) |
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