Andrea Fortunato

Como, Genoa, and Pisa

Fortunato started his professional career as a left-back with the Como first team in 1988, at the age of 17, making his Serie B (the second division of the Italian football league system) debut with the club on 29 October 1989, in a 1–0 home win against Cosenza. During the 1989–90 Serie B league, the young player from Salerno played 16 times in what was his first season, which saw Como relegated to Serie C1. He soon established himself in the team's starting line-up the following season, making 27 appearances in the league, as Como narrowly missed out on promotion to Serie B, losing out in the playoff to Venezia. Fortunato's consistent performances caught the eye of bigger Italian clubs, most notably Genoa, the club who signed Fortunato in 1991; however, his limited opportunities with the club, due to the presence of the more experienced Branco in his role, led to an argument with Osvaldo Bagnoli's assistant manager Sergio Maddè. As a result, Fortunato was labelled as an "arrogant hothead", and was immediately loaned out to Pisa for the 1991–92 Serie B season, where he made 25 appearances. After an impressive spell with Pisa, Fortunato returned to Genoa, where he made his Serie A (Italy's top flight) debut on 6 September 1992, in a 1–1 away draw against Fiorentina. He teamed up with right-back Christian Panucci, another promising Italian full-back, and together they formed a formidable defensive young partnership. In the 1992–93 Serie A league,…

Fortunato was known for his pace, stamina, determination, and tactical intelligence as a footballer, which enabled him to cover the left flank and win back possession. He had a good left foot and was known for his crossing accuracy from the touchline, and ability to beat opponents, make attacking runs down the wing, and deliver balls to teammates in the area. Although he played at left-back throughout his professional career, or as an attacking wing-back, he was a versatile player, who started out playing as a centre-forward and as a left midfielder in his youth, and was also capable of playing as a central or defensive midfielder, as a centre-back, or as a sweeper. He was regarded as a promising young left-back of his generation in Italy; his playing style was frequently compared with that of former Juventus full-back Antonio Cabrini. In addition to his footballing skills, Fortunato was also known for his calm composure and friendly personality, in spite of his reserved character.

Fortunato was born into a middle-class family in Salerno; his father, Giuseppe, was a cardiologist, while his mother, Lucia, was a librarian; he also had a brother and a sister. As a youngster, he swam and played water polo, in addition to football. He began playing football with the Como youth side at the age of 13, although his parents also insisted that he complete his high school diploma in accounting, in case his footballing career turned to be unsuccessful.

Club

Juventus Serie A: 1994–95 (posthumous) Coppa Italia: 1994–95 (posthumous)