Mattia Caldara

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Mattia Caldara
Caldara with Atalanta in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth Bergamo, Italy
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 AC Milan
Number 30
Youth career
2003–2014 Atalanta
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Atalanta 12 (3)
2014–2015 → Trapani (loan) 20 (2)
2015–2016 → Cesena (loan) 27 (3)
2017–2018 Juventus 0 (0)
2017–2018 → Atalanta (loan) 43 (7)
2018– AC Milan 0 (0)
2020–2021 → Atalanta (loan) 20 (0)
2021–2022 → Venezia (loan) 31 (1)
2022–2023 → Spezia (loan) 20 (0)
International career‡
2016–2017 Italy U21 12 (0)
2018 Italy 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2018

Mattia Caldara (Italian pronunciation: [matˈtiːa kalˈdaːra]; born 5 May 1994) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Serie A club AC Milan.

Club career[edit]

Atalanta[edit]

2013–14 season[edit]

Born in Bergamo, Caldara began his career with hometown club Atalanta, entering in the youth categories.[2] He played for the Primavera team from 2011 to 2014,[3] (2013–14 season as an overage player), and on 5 May 2014, Caldara made his professional debut coming on as a second-half substitute in a Serie A match against Catania.[4]

Loan to Trapani[edit]

On 3 July 2014, he was loaned to Serie B side Trapani to gain more experience.[5] On 14 August he made his debut as a starter in a 2–1 home defeat against Cremonese in the second round of Coppa Italia.[6] On 7 September, Caldara made his Serie B debut as a substitute replacing Enis Nadarevic in the 62nd minute of a 2–1 home win over Vicenza.[7] On 13 September he played his first entire match in Serie B for Trapani, a 2–1 home win against Cittadella.[8] On 16 May, Caldara scored his first professional goal in the 96th minute of a 1–1 away draw against Avellino.[9] On 22 May he scored his second goal in the 49th minute of a 2–1 home win over Pro Vercelli.[10] Caldara ended his season-long loan to Trapani with 21 appearances and 2 goals.[11]

Loan to Cesena[edit]

On 10 July 2015, Caldara was signed by Serie B side Cesena on a temporary deal, with an option to purchase.[12] On 9 August he made his debut for Cesena in a 4–0 home win over Lecce in the second round of Coppa Italia.[13] On 20 August he played in the third round, a 4–1 away win over Catania.[14] On 5 September, Caldara made his Serie B debut for Cesena, as a starter, in a 2–0 home win against Brescia.[15] On 21 November, Caldara scored his first goal for Cesena in the 28th minute of a 1–1 away draw against Vicenza.[16] On 8 December he was sent off with a double yellow card in the 89th minute of a 0–0 home draw against Trapani.[17] On 19 December he scored his second goal in the 78th minute of a 4–0 home win over Ternana.[18] On 23 January he scored his third goal in the 57th minute of a 2–0 home win over Virtus Entella.[19] On 7 March, Caldara was sent off for the second time with a double yellow card in the 27th minute of a 2–1 home defeat against Salernitana.[20] Caldara ended his loan to Cesena with 29 appearances, all as a starter, and 2 goals.[11]

2016–17 season: Return to Atalanta[edit]

After impressing newly appointed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during pre-season, Caldara cemented a first-team place for the 2016–17 season; in manager's favored 3–4–3 formation, he began to play in the center of a back three. On 2 October he made his post-return debut in Serie A for Atalanta in a 1–0 home win over Napoli.[21] On 26 October, Caldara scored his first goal for Atalanta and the only goal in the 60th minute of a 1–0 away win over Pescara.[22] On 6 November he scored his second goal for Atalanta in the 24th minute of a 3–0 away win over Sassuolo.[23] On 20 November he scored his third goal in 62nd minute of a 2–1 home win against Roma.[24] After beating Everton in the Europa League, Caldara gained notoriety when he took off his outer clothes and strutted around the field sporting white briefs.[25]

Juventus[edit]

On 12 January 2017, Juventus announced that they had signed Caldara to a four-and-a-half-year contract for an initial transfer fee of €15 million, rising to a potential €25 million with add-ons. The deal also included a free loan, remaining at Atalanta until 30 June 2018.[26]

Following the end of his loan deal with Atalanta, Caldara moved to Turin, where on 13 July 2018 he was officially presented as Juventus player and given the number 13 jersey with his last name on.[27] He played his debut and only game for Juventus on 25 July 2018, an International Champions Cup friendly against Bayern Munich, replacing captain Giorgio Chiellini eight minutes into the second half.[28]

AC Milan[edit]

2018–19 season[edit]

On 2 August 2018, Caldara was signed by AC Milan on a five-year contract for €35 million payable in two years, with Leonardo Bonucci moving in the opposite direction in a similar deal.[29][30] While being unable to choose 13 as his shirt number to pay tribute to Alessandro Nesta since it had already been taken by Alessio Romagnoli for the same reason, he opted for an available number 33, citing admiration for Thiago Silva.[31] In his first month at Milanello, Caldara struggled with adapting to a four-man defense line with zonal marking, having played most of his career in teams that utilized a three-man defense with man-marking.[32]

On 20 September 2018, Caldara made his official debut for Milan, playing as a starter alongside Romagnoli in a Europa League away match against F91 Dudelange.[33][34] However, he failed to make a single appearance in October 2018, struggling with minor injuries that affected his overall fitness. Later that month, he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, which sidelined him until February 2019.[35] In April, a few days after Milan's 1–0 Coppa Italia semifinal loss to Lazio at the San Siro, in which Caldara played for 65 minutes as a starter, he suffered an even worse training injury, rupturing his left anterior cruciate ligament, which sidelined him for another period of 6 months.[36][37]

2019–20 season[edit]

Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Caldara gave away his number 33 shirt to Rade Krunić and later settled on the number 31 instead.[38][39] Having recovered from his ACL injury, he resumed training sessions at full capacity on 9 October 2019, which coincided with Stefano Pioli's first day in Milan as a head coach.[40] However, as Pioli was still reluctant to include Caldara in the first team line-ups 3 months since his full recovery from injuries, he submitted a loan or transfer request in early January 2020.[41][42]

Return to Atalanta[edit]

On 12 January 2020, it was announced that Caldara had joined Atalanta on loan from Milan until June 2021, with the option to buy for an undisclosed price.[43][44] Three days later, he made his second post-return debut for Atalanta, playing for 77 minutes in a 1–0 away Coppa Italia loss against Fiorentina.[45] On 19 February 2020, Caldara made his UEFA Champions League debut, playing for 75 minutes as a starter in a 4–1 home win against Valencia at the San Siro.[46]

Loan to Venezia[edit]

On 9 August 2021, Caldara joined Venezia on loan with an option to buy.[47] On 15 August, Caldara debuted for Venezia in a 1–1 draw against Frosinone in the first round of Coppa Italia, where Venezia won 8–7 at penalty shoot-out, with Caldara scoring from his kick.[48]

Loan to Spezia[edit]

On 17 July 2022, Caldara joined Spezia on loan for the 2022–23 season.[49]

2023–24 season[edit]

Caldara, on a final year of his contract with Milan, began pre-season with the team on 10 July.[50] He was left out of the squad for a friendly tournament in the United States, partially due to sprained ankle.[51][52] Generally considered out of the club's senior team project by head coach Stefano Pioli and the board of directors, he was put on the transfer market immediately after his return. Despite some interest from Beşiktaş and Hellas Verona, no move materialized before closure of the summer transfer window on 1 September.[53][54] Caldara was assigned number 30 shirt and included on the season's squad list for the Serie A and Coppa Italia competitions.[55][56] In September, he also became a surprise inclusion on the team's squad list for the Champions League, mainly due to regulations that allow each club to register four homegrown players.[57] However, just days before start of the competition, Caldara had a surgery on his right ankle, the recovery from which ruled him out for at least three months, which effectively made him miss all the group matches.[58] On 12 February 2024, Caldara was reported to have completed his post-surgery rehabilitation and returned to training with the rest of the team.[59] He, however, lost his place in the Milan's squad list for the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League knockout phase to new signing Filippo Terracciano.[60]

International career[edit]

In June 2017, Caldara was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Luigi Di Biagio.[61] Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat.[62]

Caldara made his senior international debut for Italy under Roberto Mancini in a 3–1 friendly loss to France in Nice on 1 June 2018.[63][64]

Style of play[edit]

Caldara is a tall and physically strong center back contributing defensively and offensively. Although capable of playing in a back four, he is most comfortable and confident in the middle of a back three, such as in 3–4–3 or 3–5–2 formations.[65] At Atalanta, while playing under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, he was allowed to make occasional forward runs during the attacking play and be present at all set pieces, which helped him score 10 goals in just two seasons.[66] Courtesy of his imposing physique, he finds himself at ease in areal duels and headers. Tactically, Caldara has cited Alessandro Nesta as the biggest inspiration, in tribute of whom he had chosen 13 as his shirt number multiple times.

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 18 March 2023[67]
Club Season League Coppa Italia Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atalanta 2013–14 Serie A 1 0 0 0 – 1 0
Trapani (loan) 2014–15 Serie B 20 2 1 0 – 21 2
Cesena (loan) 2015–16 Serie B 27 3 2 0 – 29 3
Atalanta 2016–17 Serie A 30 7 1 0 – 31 7
2017–18 Serie A 24 3 2 0 8[a] 0 34 3
Total 55 10 3 0 8 0 66 10
AC Milan 2018–19 Serie A 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 2 0
2019–20 Serie A 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2023–24 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0
Atalanta (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 14 0 1 0 3[b] 0 18 0
2020–21 Serie A 6 0 2 0 1[b] 0 9 0
Total 20 0 3 0 4 0 27 0
Venezia (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 31 1 2 0 – 33 1
Spezia (loan) 2022–23 Serie A 18 0 2 0 – 20 0
Career total 171 16 14 0 13 0 198 16
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International[edit]

As of 10 September 2018[68]
National team Year Apps Goals
Italy 2018 2 0
Total 2 0

Personal life[edit]

Caldara has been in a long-term relationship with Nicole Nessi, a local woman from his native city of Bergamo. On 10 June 2020, the couple welcomed their firstborn son Alessandro.[69] In September 2018, Caldara enrolled in LUISS Sport Academy to earn a three-year bachelor's degree in economics and management.[70]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mattia Caldara". Spezia Calcio. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Mattia Caldara e l'esordio in serie A: "Un sogno che si realizza"". www.atalanta.it. Archived from the original on 2014-05-24.
  3. ^ Fullsoccer Archived 2017-01-16 at the Wayback Machine (in Italian)
  4. ^ "Juventibus | Video community sulla Juventus: Notizie, opinioni, dirette, mercato BOOM BOOM".
  5. ^ "Mercato Atalantino: Caldara in prestito al Trapani" (in Italian). Atalanta B.C. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Trapani vs. Cremonese - 17 August 2014 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  7. ^ "Trapani vs. Vicenza - 7 September 2014 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  8. ^ "Trapani vs. Cittadella - 13 September 2014 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  9. ^ "Avellino vs. Trapani - 16 May 2015 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  10. ^ "Trapani vs. Pro Vercelli - 22 May 2015 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  11. ^ a b "Italy - M. Caldara - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  12. ^ "Kone, Varano, Caldara e Molina in bianconero" (in Italian). A.C. Cesena. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Cesena vs. Lecce - 9 August 2015 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
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  15. ^ "Cesena vs. Brescia - 5 September 2015 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
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  18. ^ "Cesena vs. Ternana - 19 December 2015 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
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  23. ^ "Sassuolo vs. Atalanta - 6 November 2016 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  24. ^ "Atalanta vs. Roma - 20 November 2016 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  25. ^ "Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara strips down to his underwear after thrashing Everton in Europa League". 24 November 2017.
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  27. ^ "Caldara: "È un momento molto importante per me" - Juventus".
  28. ^ "Juventus vs. Bayern Munich - Football Match Line-Ups - July 25, 2018 - ESPN".
  29. ^ "Official: Milan sign Higuain, Caldara". Football Italia. 2 August 2018.
  30. ^ "comunicato 02082018 accordi con milan ita.pdf" (PDF).
  31. ^ "Caldara and Higuain have chosen their AC Milan numbers | Calciomercato.com".
  32. ^ Caldara to Milan TV: "I want to show my qualities", retrieved 2024-01-10
  33. ^ "Dudelange-Milan, le formazioni ufficiali: Esordio per Reina e Caldara dal 1'".
  34. ^ "Caldara, finalmente l'esordio ufficiale con la maglia del Milan".
  35. ^ "Caldara: 'Via il tutore, ci vediamo a febbraio'".
  36. ^ "Milan, Caldara sfortunato: Crociato k.o., si teme uno stop da 6 mesi".
  37. ^ "AC Milan latest official Media News".
  38. ^ "Caldara rivela il prossimo numero di maglia di Krunic". 16 June 2019.
  39. ^ "Milan, numeri di maglia: Caldara avrà il 31, Theo Hernandez ha scelto il 19".
  40. ^ Calcagni, Matteo (9 October 2019). "MILANELLO REPORT - Il racconto del primo allenamento di Pioli" (in Italian). www.milannews.it. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Caldara 'returns to his family' | Football Italia". Archived from the original on 2020-07-10.
  42. ^ "Caldara e il retroscena raccontato dal padre: "Contro l'Atalanta Pioli fece riscaldare Gabbia. Da quel momento…"".
  43. ^ Milan, A. C. "COMUNICATO UFFICIALE: MATTIA CALDARA". AC Milan. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  44. ^ "L'emozione di Mattia Caldara". Atalanta (in Italian). 12 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  45. ^ "Match Report | 2019-20 | Last-16 | Lega Serie A".
  46. ^ "Atalanta-Valencia 2020 History | Line-ups | UEFA Champions League".
  47. ^ "COMUNICATO UFFICIALE: MATTIA CALDARA".
  48. ^ "Venezia vs. Frosinone - 15 August 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  49. ^ "MATTIA CALDARA IS A NEW SPEZIA PLAYER". Spezia. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  50. ^ "Milan 2023/24, ci siamo: domani il raduno a Milanello. Tutto quello che c'è da sapere sulla nuova stagione rossonera". Milan News (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
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  52. ^ "MN - Problema alla caviglia per Caldara: il difensore resta a Milanello a curarsi". Milan News (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  53. ^ "Dalla Turchia: primi contatti tra Milan e Besiktas per Caldara. Dialogo positivo tra i due club". Milan News (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  54. ^ "Verona, occhi su Caldara per la difesa". Milan News (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  55. ^ "Mattia Caldara: Statistiche e Biografia". AC Milan (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  56. ^ "MILAN". www.legaseriea.it. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  57. ^ "CM: Pioli names UCL group stage squad - why Caldara has been picked". SempreMilancom. 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  58. ^ "UFFICIALE: Caldara operato alla caviglia, out tre mesi". Milan News (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  59. ^ https://www.milannews.it/da-milanello/milan-guarda-chi-si-rivede-caldara-torna-in-gruppo-dopo-5-mesi-524732
  60. ^ https://sempremilan.com/official-pioli-milan-squad-europa-league-knockout
  61. ^ "U21: Italy squad for Euros named". Football Italia. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  62. ^ 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.
  63. ^ "Caldara: 'Azzurri on right track'". Football Italia. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  64. ^ "Italy: Experimental Azzurri test France". Football Italia. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  65. ^ "Chi è davvero Mattia Caldara". 24 March 2017.
  66. ^ "Atalanta, parla il "goleador" Caldara "Ottima Europa League e 6°-7° posto"".
  67. ^ Mattia Caldara at Soccerway
  68. ^ "M. Caldara". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  69. ^ "Atalanta, Mattia Caldara diventa papà: è nato Alessandro".
  70. ^ "Caldara dalla Serie a all'Università: Parteciperà al programma LUISS Sport Academy". 5 February 2018.

External links[edit]

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