Marco Benassi

Early career

Born in Modena, Benassi began his career at his local club Modena. In January 2011 Benassi was signed by Inter Milan on a temporary deal. After a half-season with the Inter U17 youth team, Benassi signed for Inter permanently in a co-ownership deal for €180,000. Benassi was a member of both Inter U18 and U19 team in 2011–12 season, winning the Primavera league and European title – NextGen Series. He also played for the U18 team in the league playoffs round, winning the Berretti league. Benassi was included in summer training camp by his former U19 team coach Andrea Stramaccioni, winning the pre-season TIM Trophy and well as being included in the 25-men List A squad for 2012–13 UEFA Europa League; as one of the four essential association trained player (local player) as required by UEFA. In October 2012 he signed a new five-year contract. Benassi made his senior debut for Inter 22 November 2012 against Russian side Rubin Kazan in the starting XI. Fielding a younger squad, Inter lost 3–0. On 12 January 2013, he made his Serie A debut for Inter, starting in a 2–0 victory over Pescara. On 21 February 2013, he scored his first senior goal against CFR Cluj.

Loan to Livorno

On 9 July 2013, he was transferred on loan to Livorno, making his competitive debut on 17 August in a 1–0 Coppa Italia defeat against Siena. He scored his first goal in the Italian top flight on 26 January 2014 at home to Sassuolo, before scoring his second of the season on 16…

Benassi played all 3 games in the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification. He made his debut with the Italy under-21 squad on 14 August 2013, under Luigi Di Biagio, in the friendly match Slovakia-Italy (1–4). From 10 to 12 March 2014, he was called up by the head coach of the senior national team, Cesare Prandelli, as part of an evaluate of young players ahead of the 2014 World Cup. He took part in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic where he scored a brace in the last game of the group stage against England. Benassi began the subsequent biennial cycle as captain of the under-21 squad. In May 2016 he was called up to the senior national team by coach Antonio Conte in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2016. He was subsequently included in the list of 30 provisional players for the tournament. On 31 May, he was named one of three reserves for the senior side for Euro 2016. On 7 October, he was called up again, this time by Gian Piero Ventura, as a replacement for the injured Riccardo Montolivo for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Macedonia. In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Di Biagio. Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat.

A midfielder, Benassi is capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder or as a more offensive minded central midfielder; he has also been used as a winger. In addition, he is a tackler and has the ability to make late attacking runs from behind into the box.

Club

As of match played 21 May 2022