Renzo Sassi was born in Parma, on February 9, 1929.
His formative footballing years were spent in the Parma youth teams.
In 1948 he joined the first team squad. The Ducali were in Serie B, got through six managers and were relegated. Sassi played one league game.
In 1949-50 he played more regularly under manager Carlo Rigotti and made 27 league appearances. Parma finished 2nd narrowly missing out on promotion.
The following season, under Giovanni Mazzoni and then Alfredo Mattioli, Parma finished 3rd. Sassi played 32 league games and scored his first goal (Cesena).
In 1951-52 the Gialloblu again finished 2nd, this time under Paolo Tabanelli. Sassi played 29 league games and scored 2 goals (Marzoli Palazzolo, Edera Trieste).
In 1952 he left Parma and joined Legnano in Serie B. The "Lilla" (Lilacs) had a great season under Ugo Innocenti and were promoted to Serie A. Sassi was a protagonist and played 34 league games with 4 goals (Fanfulla, Marzotto Valdagno, Genoa, Fanfulla again, all penalties).
In Serie A in 1953-54 the manager was Giuseppe Galluzzi and the Lombards were relegated. Sassi played 29 league games and scored 6 goals (Palermo, Triestina, Genoa, Novara, Sampdoria, Torino, all penalties).
In 1954 he joined Lazio in Serie A. The manager was first Federico Allasio and then George Raynor. It was a mediocre season and Lazio finished 12th despite beating Inter, Juventus and Roma. Sassi played 26 league games with 1 goal (Triestina).
The following year the manager was first Luigi Ferrero and then Jesse Carver. After a slow start Lazio picked up and finished an excellent 3rd. The Biancocelesti beat Juventus, Inter, Milan and won another derby (the other was a draw). Sassi played 16 league games. He sometimes played in the reserve league and Lazio won the league title.
In 1956 Sassi moved up north and joined newly promoted Udinese. He stayed six seasons and the Zebrette finished 4th, 9th, 15th, 15th, 15th and 18th (relegated). His managers were former Lazio Giuseppe Bigogno (1951-53) for the first two years, Luigi Miconi and then Severino Feruglio in the third, Feruglio in the fourth, Bigogno again in the fifth and in his last Luigi Bonizzoni, Sergio Manente and finally, former Lazio player Alfredo Foni (1929-31). In his time in Friuli, Sassi played 147 league games and scored 5 goals. His teammates over the six seasons included Lazio connections; Alberto Fontanesi (1953-55), Lorenzo Bettini (1955-57), Primo Sentimenti (1950-57), Massimo Giacomini (1963-64), Dino Zoff (Manager 1990-94, 1997, 2001), Arne Selmosson (1955-58) and Orlando Rozzoni (1959 -61, 62-64, 65-66).
In 1962 Sassi returned home to Parma in Serie B. The manager was first Mario Genta and then Ugo Canforini and the Crociati finished 13th. Sassi played 21 league games. He again played alongside future Lazio defender Primo Sentimenti V (1950-57).
In 1963-64 Sassi played his last season. Parma finished 13th under three different managers: Canforini, Bruno Dazzi and finally Arnaldo Sentimenti. Sassi only played 7 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.
At 35 he retired.
He reappeared four years later as manager of Puteolana (Pozzuoli-Naples) in Serie D but Red Devils were relegated.
He then had seasons at VJS Velletri (near Rome) in Serie D in 1970-71, Trapani in Serie C in 1974-75, Monteponi Iglesias in serie D in 1979-80, Colleferro (near Rome) in 5th tier in 1982-83 and Crotone in the 5th tier in 1985-86.
Sassi was a midfielder. He had a good career playing 218 games in Serie A, with 23 goals, and 62 games in Serie B, with 4 goals. He won a promotion with Legnano and then played eight consecutive years in Serie A with Lazio and Udinese.
At Lazio he played 42 games in Serie A. The Biancocelesti won two derbies and drew two, beat Juventus twice, Inter twice and Milan. In his second season Lazio achieved a prestigious 3rd place.
Renzo Sassi died in Rome on April 3, 2018.
Lazio career
Season | Total Appearances Serie A | Goals Serie A |
1954-55 | 26 | 1 |
1955-56 | 16 | - |
Total | 42 | 1 |
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