Rolando Bianchi

Rolando Bianchi (Italian pronunciation: [roˈlando ˈbjaŋki]; born 15 February 1983) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Rolando Bianchi
Bianchi with Atalanta
Personal information
Date of birth (1983-02-15) 15 February 1983
Place of birth Lovere, Italy
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1993–2002 Atalanta
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Atalanta 21 (0)
2004–2005 Cagliari 39 (4)
2005–2007 Reggina 46 (19)
2007–2008 Manchester City 19 (4)
2008 → Lazio (loan) 15 (4)
2008–2013 Torino 169 (71)
2013–2015 Bologna 28 (3)
2014–2015 → Atalanta (loan) 21 (0)
2015–2016 Mallorca 16 (2)
2016–2017 Perugia 7 (1)
2017 Pro Vercelli 11 (3)
Total 392 (111)
National team‡
2000–2001 Italy U17 3 (0)
2004 Italy U20 3 (1)
2002–2006 Italy U21 13 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 August 2017
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 January 2016

With 77 total goals, he is Torino's 11th-highest all-time goal scorer. Bianchi was primarily known for his ability in the air.[1]

Club career

Atalanta

A product of the Atalanta youth system, Bianchi made his Serie A debut at the age of 18 during the 2000–01 Serie A season. He played the final 10 minutes in a 2–1 loss to Juventus on 17 June 2001. His only appearance during the season. The following season he made an additional 3 appearances for the bergamaschi, while during the 2002–03 Serie A season he made 16 appearances. Despite being a prolific scorer in the youth ranks, he played 21 games for the first team without scoring any goals.

Cagliari

He was sold in co-ownership to Serie B team Cagliari in January 2004, where he played 14 matches and scored two goals helping them gain promotion to Serie A. The 2004–05 season, for which he remained at Cagliari, saw him score 2 goals in 25 matches.

Reggina

Bianchi was promptly sold to Reggina in 2005, where his first season was hampered by a serious knee injury suffered early on in the season. He recovered to play 9 games late in the season, scoring one goal.

The 2006–07 season saw Bianchi score 18 goals in 37 games. Due to their indictment for sporting fraud, the club had started the season with an 11-point deduction and seemed destined for relegation. They managed to save themselves, however, with Bianchi's performances considered a key part of Reggina's Serie A survival. He finished the season 4th in the league's goal scoring table.

Manchester City

His form for Reggina attracted the attention of clubs throughout Europe, and in July 2007 Bianchi moved to Manchester City for a reported fee of £8.8 million[2] (€13 million), where he was given the number 10 shirt. Bianchi scored on his debut for City against West Ham, slotting home from close range following a run and pass from Elano.[3] Bianchi's second goal came in a 2–1 victory in the Football League Cup 2nd round against Bristol City F.C.. Bianchi then scored his third goal in English football in a 2–1 defeat against Tottenham on 9 December 2007. Then on the following Saturday he scored the first goal against Bolton in a 4–2 victory. Later that month, Bianchi criticised English cuisine and alcohol culture, and stated how he could never become a full international unless he returned to Serie A.[4]

Loan to Lazio

In January 2008, Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson informed Bianchi that he would be allowed to leave the club. On 23 January 2008 Bianchi finalised a loan move to Lazio after not being able to settle in England.[5] In his debut with Lazio on 27 January, Bianchi was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in just under five minutes, as the capital club drew 0–0 with Torino.[6] He scored his first goal for Lazio against former club Reggina from a penalty kick in a 1–0 victory.[7] In spite of Bianchi's hope that Lazio would make his move permanent, he had in fact been asked to return to Manchester City.

Torino

On 23 August 2008, after a summer of much speculation about a possible move, it was officially announced by Manchester City that Bianchi had signed for Italian club Torino on a five-year deal,[8] for a fee of €5 million.[9]

On 18 August 2012, Bianchi scored two goals in Torino's 4–2 defeat of U.S. Lecce in the Third Round of the Coppa Italia, Torino's first competitive game of the new season.[10] He scored two goals in the 5–1 defeat of Atalanta on 30 September, reaching 70 goals with Torino.[11] With these strikes, he entered into the Top 10 scorers for the club, tied with club legend, Ezio Loik. Bianchi helped the club to a 3–2 victory over Siena on 13 January 2013, heading in a cross from Valter Birsa in the later stages of the first-half.[12]

Bologna and Atalanta

On 9 July 2013, Bianchi was signed by Bologna.[13] Bologna relegated at the end of season. Bianchi wore no.9 shirt that season.[14]

On 5 August 2014, Bianchi returned to Atalanta in a temporary deal, with Rubén Bentancourt moved to opposite direction.[15][16] On the same day Bologna signed Daniele Cacia.

On 8 August 2015, he was released by Bologna.[17]

Mallorca and Perugia

On 27 August 2015, Bianchi joined RCD Mallorca.[18] After contributing with only two goals in 16 matches, he rescinded his contract and moved to Perugia.

Bianchi signed a 1½year contract with Perugia on 20 January 2016.[19]

Pro Vercelli

On 19 February 2017, Bianchi signed with Pro Vercelli.

International career

In the summer of 2006, Bianchi was called up to the Italy U-21 squad for the 2006 U-21 Championships in Portugal, where he appeared 3 times and scored 1 goal.

References
  1. Smith, Rory (25 June 2013). "Edinson Cavani: An exception to the rule". ESPN FC. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. "Man City seal £8.8m Bianchi deal". BBC News. 13 July 2007.
  3. Bevan, Chris (11 August 2007). "West Ham 0-2 Man City". BBC News.
  4. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/29726/Bianchi-City-have-had-their-chips
  5. BBC Sport Bianchi set to clinch Lazio move 23 January 2008
  6. Tallentire, Mark; Murray, Ewan (27 January 2008). "Bianchi sees red on Lazio debut". The Guardian. London.
  7. "Bianchi has debut to forget". Sporting Life. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  8. Rolando Bianchi leaves the club
  9. Torino F.C. S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 31 December 2008, PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A. (in Italian)
  10. "Torino 4–2 Lecce". ESPNFC. 18 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013.
  11. "Atalanta 1 – 5 Torino". Football Italia. 30 September 2012.
  12. "Torino 3–2 Siena". ESPNFC. 13 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013.
  13. "Bianchi al Bologna" (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 9 July 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  14. "Numerazione delle maglie 2013-14" (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 31 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  15. "Mercato nerazzurro: Bianchi all'Atalanta, Bentancourt al Bologna" (in Italian). Atalanta B.C. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  16. "Bentancourt al Bologna" (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  17. "Risoluzione del contratto per Bianchi" (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  18. "Rolando Bianchi ficha por el Mallorca" [Rolando Bianchi signs for Mallorca] (in Spanish). Marca. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  19. "Rolando Bianchi è del Perugia!" (in Italian). A.C. Perugia Calcio. 20 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
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