Overview
Emiliano Viviano is an experienced Italian professional goalkeeper, born on December 1, 1985, in Fiesole, Italy. Standing at 1.95 meters (6 ft 5 in), his imposing physical presence is a notable attribute of his game. Throughout his career, Viviano has played for numerous clubs across Italy's Serie A and other European leagues, establishing a reputation as a reliable and often spectacular shot-stopper. His journey in football has seen him represent some of Italy's prominent clubs, including Sampdoria, Palermo, Fiorentina, and Bologna, alongside stints in England, Portugal, and Turkey.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Viviano's primary role involves protecting the goal, organizing the defense, and initiating play from the back. His height provides an advantage in aerial duels and commanding his penalty area, particularly from set-pieces. He is recognized for his reflexes and ability to make crucial saves, often displaying a flair for the dramatic stop. Viviano's long-standing career at the top level highlights his consistency and enduring quality in a demanding position.
Identity
Viviano's headline identity can be characterized as that of a "commanding, experienced shot-stopper." He is a goalkeeper who relies on his authoritative presence in the box, coupled with a proven track record of making decisive saves. His leadership qualities, often demonstrated through his communication and organization of the backline, have also been a consistent feature of his game. His career arc showcases a player who has adapted to various team structures and tactical approaches, maintaining a high standard of performance despite frequent club changes.
Career path
Emiliano Viviano's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of Fiorentina, a club in his home region of Tuscany. He progressed through their academy before making his senior debut elsewhere, marking the start of a peripatetic but impactful career.
Brescia (2004–2009)
Viviano officially began his professional career with Brescia Calcio. He joined the club in 2004, initially featuring for their youth team before being promoted to the senior squad. His debut came during the 2005–2006 season in Serie B. Over five seasons with Brescia, Viviano established himself as a first-choice goalkeeper, making over 100 league appearances and attracting attention from larger clubs. Transfermarkt data indicates his tenure at Brescia was crucial for his development.
Bologna (2009–2011)
In January 2009, Viviano moved to Bologna FC in a co-ownership deal. He quickly became the undisputed number one goalkeeper, playing a pivotal role in their Serie A campaigns. His performances earned him widespread acclaim, and he was highly regarded during his time with the club. His move to Bologna marked his entry into Italy's top flight as a regular starter.
Inter Milan & Palermo (2011–2012)
Following impressive displays at Bologna, Viviano's registration was fully acquired by Inter Milan in January 2011. However, he was immediately loaned back to Bologna for the remainder of the season. In the summer of 2011, he was then sold to Palermo FC as part of a complex deal. He spent the 2011–2012 season as Palermo's starting goalkeeper.
Fiorentina, Arsenal & Sampdoria (2012–2018)
After a brief return to Palermo, Viviano joined his boyhood club Fiorentina on loan for the 2012–2013 season. He later had a loan spell at Arsenal FC in the English Premier League for the 2013–2014 season, though he did not make a competitive appearance. In 2014, he moved to UC Sampdoria, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2015. At Sampdoria, Viviano enjoyed one of the most stable periods of his career, becoming a fan favorite and a reliable presence between the posts for four seasons, making over 100 league appearances according to Wikipedia's career statistics.
Sporting CP, SPAL & Kayserispor (2018–present)
Following his successful spell at Sampdoria, Viviano moved to Sporting CP in Portugal in 2018. Subsequent moves included stints at SPAL in Italy, and most recently, a transfer to Turkish club Kayserispor in 2020. These later moves have showcased his willingness to experience different leagues and challenges.
Playing style
Emiliano Viviano's playing style is characterized by a blend of traditional goalkeeping attributes and a modern understanding of distribution. His physical stature, at 1.95 meters, makes him particularly adept at commanding his penalty area, especially when dealing with crosses and set-pieces. This aerial dominance allows him to relieve pressure on his defense by consistently claiming high balls and punching away dangerous deliveries.
One of his most notable qualities is his shot-stopping ability. Viviano possesses strong reflexes and agility, enabling him to make acrobatic saves from close range and deny opponents from distance. He reads the game well, often positioning himself effectively to anticipate shots and cut down angles. His ability to react quickly to unexpected deflections or powerful efforts has been a consistent highlight throughout his career. Data from sources like FBref.com often illustrates his solid save percentage over various seasons.
Beyond his defensive actions, Viviano is also competent with the ball at his feet. While perhaps not a pioneer in the 'sweeper-keeper' mold, his distribution is generally reliable. He is capable of launching accurate long passes to initiate counter-attacks, as well as playing shorter, composed passes to defenders to build play from the back. This dual capability allows his teams tactical flexibility in their build-up play. He is right-footed, which influences his preferred passing angles.
Comparable goalkeepers in terms of physical presence and shot-stopping prowess often include those known for their reliable hands and commanding presence, such as his compatriot Gianluigi Donnarumma at a similar stage of his development, or former Italian international Morgan De Sanctis, particularly in their ability to organize a defense and make crucial saves in high-pressure situations. Viviano's experience also means he brings a calming influence to the backline, a trait often underrated but vital for successful teams.
Achievements & honours
Emiliano Viviano has enjoyed a sustained career at the top level of European football, accumulating individual accolades and contributing to team successes, particularly within Italian football. While major international honours have eluded him, his consistency has been recognized within domestic competitions.
His most significant team honour came during his brief spell in Portugal:
| Competition | Club | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Taça da Liga | Sporting CP | 2018–19 |
Beyond the Taça da Liga with Sporting CP, Viviano has been a key player in multiple Serie A campaigns, contributing to his teams maintaining their top-flight status and achieving respectable league finishes. His presence in goal was instrumental for clubs like Sampdoria during their mid-table stability. While individual awards are less common for goalkeepers compared to outfield players, Viviano's consistent performance levels over more than a decade in Serie A highlight his enduring quality and value to the teams he has represented.
He has also been part of squads that competed in European competitions, including the UEFA Europa League, gaining valuable experience on the continental stage. His longevity in a demanding position, playing for various prominent clubs across different leagues, serves as a testament to his professionalism and ability to adapt.
International career
Emiliano Viviano has represented Italy at various levels, culminating in several caps for the senior national team. His international journey began in the youth setup, where he gained experience at the U-19 and U-20 levels, providing a platform for his eventual progression.
He was a prominent member of the Italy U-21 national team, making his debut in 2005. Viviano featured significantly for the Azzurrini, including appearances in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. These experiences at youth international tournaments were crucial for his development, exposing him to high-pressure situations against some of Europe's most promising talents.
Viviano received his first call-up to the senior Italy national team in 2010. He made his senior international debut for Italy on September 7, 2010, in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Over the course of his career, he earned a total of six caps for the Azzurri. While not establishing himself as the long-term number one, Viviano consistently served as a reliable backup option and was part of various national squad selections during a period when Italy had a strong pool of goalkeeping talent, including Gianluigi Buffon.
He featured in several friendly matches and competitive qualifiers, demonstrating his capability to perform at the international level when called upon. His six caps are a testament to his standing within Italian football during his peak years. Although he did not participate in any major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship with the senior squad, his involvement in the national team setup underlines his quality and the respect he commanded from various national team managers. Details of his appearances are recorded by FIFA's official records.
What makes Emiliano Viviano stand out
Emiliano Viviano stands out primarily due to his striking blend of traditional goalkeeping strengths and his extensive experience across multiple top European leagues. His imposing physical stature (1.95m) is immediately noticeable, giving him a commanding presence in the penalty area, particularly effective at claiming crosses and dealing with aerial threats. This attribute allows his defense to play with greater confidence, knowing that high balls will often be dealt with decisively.
Another distinguishing feature is his spectacular shot-stopping ability. Viviano has a knack for making eye-catching, difficult saves that can turn the tide of a match. His reflexes are sharp, and he frequently pulls off crucial stops from close range or powerful long-distance efforts, earning him a reputation as a goalkeeper capable of moments of brilliance. This flair for the dramatic save, combined with his overall reliability, has ensured his longevity in the game.
"Viviano is a goalkeeper who exudes confidence, vital for any team. His ability to produce a big save when it's most needed is a testament to his focus and quality."