Davide Calabria

Davide Calabria (born 6 December 1996)[2] is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a full-back for the Serie A club Milan and the Italy national team.

Davide Calabria
Personal information
Full name Davide Calabria[1]
Date of birth (1996-12-06) 6 December 1996
Place of birth Brescia, Italy
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Full-back
Club information
Current team
 Milan
Number 2
Youth career
2006–2015 Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015– Milan 146 (7)
National team‡
2013 Italy U17 9 (0)
2013 Italy U18 1 (0)
2014–2015 Italy U19 12 (1)
2015 Italy U20 2 (0)
2015–2019 Italy U21 19 (0)
2020– Italy 5 (0)
Honours
Men's Football
Representing  Italy
UEFA Nations League
2021 Italy
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:40, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11:37, 16 November 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Calabria has been with Milan since 2006, playing for the club's youth teams of different age groups up until Primavera (U-19). He received his first ever call-up to the senior team ahead of the away game against S.S. Lazio played on 25 January 2015; he, however, remained an unused substitute. He made his Serie A debut on 30 May 2015 against Atalanta, replacing Mattia De Sciglio at the 84th minute in a 1–3 away win.[3] On 15 July 2015 Calabria was officially promoted to the first team.[4][5] He made his first start in a 3–2 win over Udinese on 22 September, playing 49 minutes, and was highly praised for his performance.

Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Milan acquired Atalanta's Andrea Conti for nearly €25 million, viewing the player as the most likely starter on the right side of the team's defensive line; Calabria had been persuaded yet refused to join one of the lower-ranking Serie A teams on loan to increase his playing time. In September 2017, Conti injured his anterior cruciate ligament for the first time, and in March 2018 suffered a recurrence of the injury, effectively ending his season. The club ruled out the possibility of any further emergency signings, thus trusting Calabria as a long-term replacement for Conti in the right full-back position.[6] He completed the season with 30 appearances in all competitions and scored his debut goal in senior professional football on 25 February 2018 in the Serie A 2–0 away win against Roma.[7]

2020-2021 season:

Already a regular in Pioli's side, Calabria played 32 league games in this season, a personal record.[8] He scored his first goal this season on 16 December 2020 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium against Genoa, a powerful shot from outside the box.[9] His next goal came against Juventus on 6 January 2021, in eventual 1–3 loss.[10] On 28 February in Stadio Olimpico Calabria won a penalty kick against Roma, which Kessie converted into Milan first goal in 2–1 victory.[11] By the end of the season he held the record for most tackles by any player in Serie A.[12][13]

on July, Calabria renewed his contract with Milan until June 2025. [14]

2021-2022 season:

On 23 August 2021, at the first match of the season against Sampdoria, Calabria made his first assist in the season, a deep run into Sampdoria defense to set up Diaz's only goal of the match.[15] Calabria wore the captain's arm band for the first time for Milan on 15 September, an away defeat to Liverpool, he described the moment as 'childhood dream'.[16] On the 3rd of October, Calabria scored his first goal of the season at Gewiss Stadium against Atalanta in eventual 3–2 win, the goal came after merely 28 seconds from the kick off, making it third fastest AC MILAN goal since 2004–2005 season.[17] On 23 October he scored against Bologna in eventual 4–2 win, with two goals in seven games, Calabria has already equalled his total goal tally on the entire 2020/21 Serie A season.[18] In a post match interview during the season, Calabria credited his own professional growth to his team coach, Pioli.[19]

On 5 February 2022 against Inter in Derby della Madonnina, he assisted Giroud second goal in 2–1 win.[20] On 6 March he again set up Giroud only goal against Napoli, helping Milan to win and climb to the top of Serie A table.[21]

International career

Calabria made his debut for the Italy U21 on 13 October 2015, in a qualifying match against Republic of Ireland.

In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Luigi Di Biagio.[22] Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals following a 3–1 defeat on 27 June.[23][24]

He made his debut for Italy's senior squad, managed by Roberto Mancini, in a 11 November 2020 friendly against Estonia in Florence, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute of a 4–0 victory.[25][26][27][28] He would see his first action in a competitive match on 18 November 2020, replacing Lorenzo Insigne in the 94th minute of Italy's 2-0 UEFA Nations League win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.[29]

Style of play

Having started his youth career as a defensive midfielder, Calabria soon switched to playing as a box-to-box in the 4–3–3 formation, which was then followed by a season-long spell at left back, despite being right-footed, and eventually settling on a right back, which became his primary position in senior football.[30]

Calabria is a quick and modern full-back who likes to get forward and support his team's attacking moves. Regarded as one of the best Italian full-backs in Serie A, defensively, his positioning, vision, speed, decision-making, and tackling are commendable, and he has also drawn praise from pundits and former footballers for his maturity and personality in spite of his youth. Although he is not physically dominant, he is gifted with good pace and stamina, and can also recover to his defensive position quickly, which enables him to cover the flank effectively. A former midfielder in his youth, while he is mainly deployed as a right-back, he is a highly versatile player who is capable of playing in several positions, and is equally adept at left-back due to his ability with both feet, despite being naturally right-footed. He was used on several occasions as a central defensive midfielder by Stefano Pioli during the 2020–21 season.[31][32]

Personal life

On 12 January 2022, Calabria announced on his Instagram page that he contracted COVID-19 amidst its pandemic in Italy.[33] Two days later, it was reported that he had recovered.[34]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 1 May 2022[35]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Milan 2014–15 Serie A 1000——10
2015–16 6020——80
2016–17 12010——130
2017–18 211405[lower-alpha 1]0—301
2018–19 261204[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0331
2019–20 25120——271
2020–21 322106[lower-alpha 1]0—392
2021–22 232304[lower-alpha 3]0—302
Career total 1467150190101817
  1. All appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  3. All appearances in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 12 November 2021[35]
Italy
YearAppsGoals
202020
202130
Total50

Honours

AC Milan

Italy

References
  1. "Comunicato Ufficiale N. 179" [Official Statement No. 179] (PDF) (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 14 February 2020. p. 3. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. . uefa.com https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/member-associations/ITA/news/0253-0d04285c0eb3-cf503e2a8bf5-1000--uefa-com-s-weekly-wonderkid-davide-calabria/?referrer=%2Fmemberassociations%2Fnews%2Fnewsid%3D2287120. Retrieved 10 September 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Atalanta vs. Milan 1 - 3". Soccerway. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. Ferrazzi, Enrico (15 July 2015). "Tuttosport - Milan, Calabria promosso in prima squadra: completerà la batteria dei terzini" (in Italian). Milan News. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  5. Ferrazzi, Enrico (15 July 2015). "Calabria a MC: "E' un sogno essere in prima squadra, Mihajlovic ha una personalità incredibile. Lavoriamo duro per riportare il Milan in alto"" (in Italian). Milan News.
  6. https://www.agentianonimi.com/milan-conti-sostituti/
  7. Atkinson, Guy (25 February 2018). "Roma 0 AC Milan 2: Cutrone and Calabria secure superb win for Rossoneri". Goal.
  8. "SOCCERWAY". Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  9. "NEVER-SAY-DIE PERFORMANCE AT MARASSI". acmilan. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  10. "UNBEATEN RUN COMES TO AN END AGAINST JUVENTUS". acmilan. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  11. "AC Milan moved four points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan by beating Roma". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  12. "AC MILAN, ALL THE NUMBERS FROM SERIE A 2020/21". acmilan. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  13. Campanale, Susy (8 May 2021). "CALABRIA IS SERIE A'S TOP TACKLER". football italia. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  14. "OFFICIAL STATEMENT: DAVIDE CALABRIA". acmilan. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  15. Mork, Martin (23 August 2021). "SAMPDORIA 0-1 MILAN: BRAHIM DIAZ GRABS THE WINNER". football italia. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  16. Campanale, Susy. "CALABRIA: 'MILAN NOT USED TO LIVERPOOL TEMPO'". No. 15 September 2021. football italia. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  17. "ATALANTA V AC MILAN: ALL THE NUMBERS FROM THE MATCH". acmilan.
  18. "BOLOGNA V AC MILAN: THE NUMBERS FROM THE GAME". Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  19. Vitiello, Antonio (14 February 2022). "Calabria: "La mia crescita è frutto del lavoro e della fiducia del mister. Siamo in forma e mi sento bene"". Sky Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  20. "Inter Milan 1-2 AC Milan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  21. "SERIE A RESULT - OLIVIER GIROUD GLORY AS SECOND-HALF GOAL GIVES AC MILAN VITAL VICTORY OVER NAPOLI". EUROSPORT. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  22. Football Italia staff (6 June 2017). "U21: Italy squad for Euros named". Football Italia. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  23. James Horncastle (28 June 2017). "Italy fall to familiar foe Spain at U21 Euros but there is hope for the future". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  24. "Spain U21 3-1 Italy U21". BBC Sport. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  25. "Mancini convoca anche Bastoni, Ferrari e Zaccagni. Alle 16 primo allenamento" (in Italian). www.figc.it. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  26. "A Grifo brace and goals from Bernardeschi and Orsolini secure a comfortable win against Estonia". www.figc.it. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  27. "Italy vs. Estonia - Football Match Report - November 11, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  28. "Italy 4-0 Estonia: Grifo lights up experimental Azzurri". www.football-italia.net. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  29. ESPN (18 November 2020). "2020-22 UEFA Nations League, Group Stage". ESPN. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  30. "Calabria: "Ho iniziato da mediano, poi ho fatto la mezzala e infine il terzino"".
  31. Newman, Blair (22 September 2016). "Davide Calabria Is Ready to Take Ignazio Abate's Spot at Right-Back for AC Milan". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  32. Menicucci, Paolo (3 October 2015). "UEFA.com's weekly wonderkid: Davide Calabria". UEFA. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  33. "Milan, Calabria su Instagram: "Non vedo l'ora di tornare in campo"". Corriere dello Sport. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  34. "OFFICIAL STATEMENT: DAVIDE CALABRIA". acmilan. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  35. "D. Calabria". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  36. "Davide Calabria:Il primo amore non si scorda mai". Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  37. "Italy 2-1 Belgium: Azzurri secure third place at Nations League finals". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 10 October 2021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
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