Giuseppe Favalli

Giuseppe Favalli (; born 8 January 1972) is an Italian former professional footballer. A versatile, consistent, tenacious and experienced defender, Favalli was capable of playing as a centre-back as well as on the left or right flank as a full-back.

After beginning his career with Cremonese in 1988, he played for Serie A clubs Lazio, Inter Milan and AC Milan. At international level, Favalli represented the Italy national team on eight occasions between 1994 and 2004, and was a member of his nation's UEFA Euro 2004 squad. He was also a member of the under-23 side that took part at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Club career Cremonese Favalli started his career with then-Serie B squad Cremonese in 1988. Following their promotion to Serie A in 1989 he made his top flight debut in a 2–1 defeat to Inter Milan on 27 August 1989.

Lazio Favalli's strong performance resulted in him being signed by Lazio during the summer of 1992. Following the departure of Alessandro Nesta to AC Milan in 2002, he became team captain. During his time with Lazio, he won one Scudetto, three Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana, the Cup Winners Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, as well as establishing himself as a fan favourite. In 12 seasons with the Biancocelesti, he made 401 appearances in all competitions (becoming the player with second most appearances in Lazio's history behind Stefan Radu), scoring six goals. on a free transfer. With Inter, he won the Coppa Italia twice, in 2005 and 2006 meaning he had won the trophy in three consecutive years (2004, 2005 and 2006). He also won his second Scudetto with Inter following the Calciopoli scandal which saw Juventus stripped of the 2006 title and it being awarded to Inter. However, he was not always chosen to start for the team and the arrival of Fabio Grosso after the 2006 FIFA World Cup meant he was deemed surplus to the squad and as a result, did not have his contract renewed at the end of the 2006 season.

On 1 July 2010, Favalii was released by Milan at age 38, then subsequently retired.

International career Favalli has represented Italy at under-18 level, as well winning the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and playing at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona with the Italy under-21 side.

Favalli earned eight full caps for the Italian senior side between 1994 and 2004. He was part of the Italy squad that took part at UEFA Euro 2004; he made only one appearance throughout the tournament, replacing Gennaro Gattuso in the 76th minute of Italy's 1–1 draw with Sweden in the team's second group match. Italy performed below expectations and exited at the group stage on direct encounters, following a three-way five point tie with Sweden and Denmark; the later two sides qualified for the quarter-finals at their expense.

Career statistics Source:

Honours Lazio Serie A: 1999–2000 Coppa Italia: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2003–04 Supercoppa Italiana: 1998, 2000 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1998–99 UEFA Super Cup: 1999

Inter Milan Serie A: 2005–06 Coppa Italia: 2004–05, 2005–06 Supercoppa Italiana: 2005

AC Milan UEFA Champions League: 2006–07 UEFA Super Cup: 2007 FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Italy Under-21 European Championship: 1992