Overview
Andrea Consigli, born on January 27, 1987, in Milan, Italy, is a seasoned professional goalkeeper. Standing at 1.89 meters, he has carved out a significant career in Italian football, primarily known for his consistent performances and leadership from the back. Consigli has spent the majority of his senior career in Serie A, earning a reputation as a reliable and experienced shot-stopper. His journey through various Italian clubs, culminating in a long tenure with Sassuolo Calcio, highlights his durability and sustained form in one of Europe's top leagues.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Consigli operates as the last line of defense. His primary responsibilities include shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, and initiating attacks from the back. Over his career, he has showcased strong reflexes and an ability to read the game, often making crucial saves that have directly impacted match outcomes. His presence in goal provides a sense of security for his defensive line, allowing the outfield players to maintain their structure effectively.
Identity
Andrea Consigli's identity on the pitch is defined by his consistency and calm demeanor. He is not typically a flamboyant goalkeeper but rather one who prioritizes efficiency and error reduction. Often described as a "safe pair of hands," he embodies the traditional qualities of an Italian goalkeeper: tactical awareness, sound positioning, and an ability to perform under pressure. His long service at the top level underscores his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Career path
Andrea Consigli's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of Atalanta BC, a club renowned for its youth development system. He progressed through their academy, honing his skills before embarking on loan spells to gain senior experience.
Atalanta BC & Early Loans
Consigli made his senior debut for Sambenedettese during the 2006–07 season while on loan from Atalanta, playing in Serie C1. This initial exposure to competitive senior football was crucial for his development. He then moved to Rimini Calcio on loan for the 2007–08 Serie B season, where he further established himself as a promising young goalkeeper. These loan spells provided him with the necessary match practice to prepare for a role at Atalanta. Upon his return, he became the first-choice goalkeeper for Atalanta, making his Serie A debut with the club. He remained a key player for Atalanta for several seasons, experiencing both promotion from Serie B and sustained periods in Serie A, as documented by Transfermarkt.
US Sassuolo Calcio
In 2014, Consigli made a significant move to US Sassuolo Calcio, a newly established Serie A side. This transfer marked a new chapter in his career, and he quickly became an integral part of the team's rise in Italian football. With Sassuolo, Consigli has played a pivotal role in their surprising successes, including their qualification for the UEFA Europa League in the 2016-17 season, a historic achievement for the club. His tenure at Sassuolo has been characterized by consistent performances, often being among the league leaders in saves and contributing to the team's defensive solidity. He has remained the club's undisputed number one goalkeeper for many years, demonstrating his enduring value and leadership on the pitch, as detailed on Wikipedia.
Playing style
Andrea Consigli's playing style is characterized by a blend of traditional goalkeeping attributes and a modern understanding of the position. He is primarily known for his shot-stopping ability and consistent performances, rather than an overly expansive or risky approach.
Shot-stopping and Reflexes
Consigli possesses strong reflexes, allowing him to make quick, decisive saves, particularly from close-range efforts and deflections. His ability to react swiftly to shots is a cornerstone of his game. Data from sources like Sofascore often highlight his save percentage, which consistently places him among competent Serie A goalkeepers. He positions himself effectively, anticipating the trajectory of shots and often making key interventions in high-pressure situations.
Aerial Command and Distribution
Standing at 1.89 meters, Consigli exhibits good command of his penalty area, particularly when dealing with crosses and set-pieces. He is confident in coming off his line to collect aerial balls, thereby relieving pressure on his defense. While not renowned for being a 'sweeper-keeper' in the mold of some contemporary goalkeepers, his distribution is generally reliable. He favors accurate short and medium-range passes to quickly initiate counter-attacks or maintain possession, rather than speculative long balls. His decision-making regarding when to distribute short or long is typically sound, minimizing turnovers in dangerous areas.
Leadership and Consistency
Beyond his technical attributes, Consigli's playing style also encompasses his leadership qualities. He is a vocal presence in the box, organizing his defense and communicating effectively. His experience allows him to read the game well, often intercepting through balls or making crucial clearances. His consistency over many seasons in Serie A is perhaps his most defining trait, providing a stable and reliable foundation for his team. This reliability can be seen in his sustained high number of appearances for Sassuolo, indicating his importance to the squad.
Achievements & honours
Andrea Consigli's career has been marked by consistent high-level performances, particularly during his long tenure with US Sassuolo Calcio. While individual accolades have been few, his significant contribution to his clubs, especially Sassuolo's rise in Italian football, underscores his impact.
Club Achievements
Consigli was a key figure in Atalanta BC's promotion back to Serie A during the 2010-11 season. His most notable team achievement came with US Sassuolo Calcio, where he played an instrumental role in their qualification for the UEFA Europa League group stages for the 2016-17 season. This was a historic moment for the club, marking their first-ever appearance in a major European competition, a feat in which Consigli's consistent goalkeeping was crucial. The qualification was secured through their sixth-place finish in Serie A in the 2015-16 season, as detailed by UEFA.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Atalanta BC | Serie B | 2010–11 |
Individual Milestones
Over his extensive career, Consigli has accumulated a high number of appearances in Serie A, demonstrating his longevity and sustained fitness levels. He has consistently been among the top goalkeepers in the league for various statistical categories, including saves made and clean sheets, as periodically reported by football statistics sites. His long service as a first-choice goalkeeper for both Atalanta and Sassuolo is a testament to his reliability and the trust placed in him by multiple coaching staffs.
International career
Andrea Consigli has represented Italy at various youth levels, showcasing his potential from an early age. His journey through the national youth setup culminated in appearances for the U20 and U21 squads, but he has not yet earned a senior cap for the Italy national football team.
Youth National Teams
Consigli was a regular fixture in Italy's youth international teams. He notably featured for the Italy U20 team and then significantly for the Italy U21 side. He was part of the Italy U21 squad that competed in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship held in Sweden. During this tournament, he was the first-choice goalkeeper, helping Italy reach the semi-finals before being eliminated by Germany. His performances at this level were highly regarded and established him as one of the promising goalkeeping talents in Italy at the time, as documented by UEFA.
Senior National Team Prospects
Despite his consistent form in Serie A over many seasons, particularly with Sassuolo, Andrea Consigli has faced stiff competition for a spot in the senior Italy squad. The presence of established goalkeepers such as Gianluigi Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu, and later Gianluigi Donnarumma has meant that Consigli, while often on the periphery, has not managed to break into the senior team for competitive matches. He has received call-ups to training camps and preliminary squads at various times, indicating he was on the national team selectors' radar. However, he has yet to make an official appearance for the Azzurri.
What makes Andrea Consigli stand out
Andrea Consigli stands out primarily due to his exceptional consistency and longevity in one of Europe's most demanding leagues. His ability to maintain a high level of performance over more than a decade in Serie A, first with Atalanta and then as a cornerstone of Sassuolo, is a testament to his professionalism and dedication.
Another distinguishing trait is his reliable shot-stopping. While not always producing highlight-reel saves, Consigli is known for making the saves he is expected to make, and often more. He minimizes errors, which is a critical attribute for any goalkeeper and provides a sense of calm to his defense. His command of the penalty area, particularly in dealing with crosses and set-pieces, further enhances his defensive value, ensuring that his backline operates with confidence. His leadership from the back, organizing defenders and communicating effectively, has been crucial for Sassuolo, especially during their periods of growth and European qualification.
"Andrea is a goalkeeper who gives stability to the whole team. His experience and consistency are invaluable." – Roberto De Zerbi, former Sassuolo coach.