Overview
Riccardo Orsolini is an Italian professional footballer, born on 24 January 1997, who plays predominantly as a forward, most notably on the right wing. Standing at 1.83 meters, Orsolini is recognized for his left-footed attacking prowess, often cutting in from the right flank to shoot or create opportunities. He was born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, and has represented his home country at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. Currently, he is a key attacking player for Bologna FC 1909 in Italy's Serie A.
Position
Orsolini primarily operates as a right-sided forward or right-winger. This position allows him to utilize his dominant left foot to either deliver crosses into the box or cut inside the opposition full-back to attempt shots on goal. While his natural inclination is to play on the right, his versatility allows him to also feature on the left wing or as a secondary striker, adapting his role based on tactical requirements. His ability to perform across the front line provides managerial flexibility.
Identity
Orsolini's on-pitch identity is defined by his directness and offensive impact. He is often described as a classic 'inverted winger' due to his preference for drifting centrally from the right wing. His acceleration and dribbling skills enable him to take on defenders in one-on-one situations, while his powerful and accurate shooting from outside the box poses a consistent threat. Beyond individual flair, Orsolini also contributes to build-up play and pressing, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to his attacking duties.
Career path
Riccardo Orsolini began his football journey within the youth ranks of his hometown club, Ascoli Picchio FC 1898. He progressed through their academy system, showcasing his attacking potential early on. His senior debut for Ascoli occurred in the 2015-16 season in Serie B, where he quickly began to make an impact, attracting attention from larger clubs in Italy.
Ascoli Picchio FC 1898 (2015-2017)
Orsolini's breakthrough season came in 2016-17 with Ascoli in Serie B. During this period, he demonstrated significant growth, recording 8 goals and 7 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, as reported by Transfermarkt. His performances led to strong interest from top-tier Italian clubs.
Juventus FC (2017)
In January 2017, Orsolini signed with Serie A giants Juventus FC for a reported fee of €6 million, with potential bonuses. However, he was immediately loaned back to Ascoli for the remainder of the 2016-17 season to continue his development in Serie B. He did not make a senior appearance for Juventus.
Atalanta BC (2017-2018, loan)
For the 2017-18 season, Juventus loaned Orsolini to Atalanta BC, a club known for developing young talent. He made his Serie A debut with Atalanta on 27 August 2017. During his spell with the Bergamo-based club, he gained valuable top-flight experience, featuring in 8 Serie A matches and 10 UEFA Europa League matches, according to Soccerway. Despite showing flashes of his ability, he struggled to secure a regular starting spot.
Bologna FC 1909 (2018-present)
In January 2018, Orsolini moved to Bologna FC 1909 on an initial loan deal from Juventus. This move proved to be pivotal for his career. He quickly established himself as a key player for Bologna, impressing with his consistent performances on the right wing. Bologna made his move permanent in June 2019 for a fee of €15 million, as detailed by Transfermarkt. Since then, Orsolini has been a central figure in Bologna's attack, consistently contributing goals and assists in Serie A. He has surpassed 200 appearances for the club, becoming one of their most impactful offensive players.
Playing style
Riccardo Orsolini's playing style is defined by his characteristics as an attacking winger who thrives in wide areas but also possesses the ability to influence play centrally. His primary attributes include dribbling, shooting, and crossing.
Technical Attributes
- Dribbling: Orsolini is adept at one-on-one situations, utilizing his close control and agility to beat defenders. He frequently attempts to take on full-backs, often cutting from the right flank onto his stronger left foot. His dribbling success rate is often above average for his position, as data from platforms like FBref indicates.
- Shooting: One of Orsolini's most prominent traits is his powerful and accurate left-footed shot. He is a significant threat from outside the penalty area, often curling efforts into the far corner or driving shots with force. His goal tally often reflects a good proportion of goals scored from distance.
- Crossing: When operating on the right wing, Orsolini is capable of delivering dangerous crosses into the box, either with his left foot from deep or after making space closer to the byline. This provides an alternative threat when he opts not to cut inside.
- Work Rate: While primarily an offensive player, Orsolini also contributes defensively, tracking back to support his full-back and participating in pressing schemes, which is a common expectation for wide players in modern football.
Comparable Players
Orsolini's style of play shares similarities with other left-footed right-wingers who like to cut inside, for instance, a player like Suso during his time at AC Milan, or even a more direct winger like Federico Chiesa, albeit with different levels of intensity and pace. Like them, Orsolini aims to be a primary source of goal contributions from the flank.
Achievements & honours
Riccardo Orsolini has accumulated a series of individual and team-based accolades throughout his career, reflecting his consistent performance at both club and international youth levels.
Club Honours
As of May 2026, Orsolini's club career has been primarily focused on establishing Bologna as a competitive Serie A side. While he has been part of Juventus's roster, his most significant contributions have been with Bologna.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus FC | Serie A | 2016-17 (did not feature) |
Note: Orsolini was part of the Juventus squad that won the Serie A title in 2016-17, but he was on loan at Ascoli for the entire season after joining Juventus in January 2017, and did not make an appearance for the first team during that campaign, as per Wikipedia.
International Youth Honours
Orsolini has achieved notable success at the youth international level with Italy.
| Country | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Italy U20 | FIFA U-20 World Cup Bronze Medal | 2017 |
Individual Awards
- FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2017 (5 goals) – Awarded for being the top goalscorer at the tournament, as recognized by FIFA.
International career
Riccardo Orsolini has represented Italy at various youth levels before making his debut for the senior national team. His performances for Bologna have consistently kept him in contention for national team call-ups.
Youth International
Orsolini was a prominent figure for Italy's youth teams. He played for the Italy U20 side that participated in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. During this tournament, he was a standout performer, scoring five goals and earning the Golden Boot award as Italy secured a third-place finish. This performance highlighted his potential on a global stage, as reported by FIFA.
Senior International
Orsolini received his first call-up to the senior Italy national team in November 2019. He made his senior international debut on 18 November 2019, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Armenia. He marked his debut with a goal, contributing to Italy's 9-1 victory, according to match reports on UEFA.com.
Since his debut, Orsolini has continued to be part of the national team setup, primarily as a wide attacking option. As of May 2026, he has accumulated 5 caps for the senior national team and scored 2 goals. His role has often been as an impact substitute or a starter in less competitive fixtures, competing for a spot in a squad rich with attacking talent. He aims to secure a more regular place in major tournament squads, offering a direct and goal-threatening presence from the wing.
What makes Riccardo Orsolini stand out
Riccardo Orsolini's ability to consistently provide a goal threat from the right wing is a primary factor that distinguishes him. His signature move involves cutting inside onto his left foot, creating space for a powerful shot or a precise pass. This direct approach, combined with his dribbling ability, makes him a challenging opponent for full-backs.
Another standout trait is his knack for scoring crucial goals, often from outside the box, demonstrating both technical skill and composure under pressure. He also possesses a strong work ethic, contributing defensively more than many traditional wingers. This balance between offensive flair and defensive responsibility makes him a valuable asset in a modern tactical setup.
"Orsolini has a rare quality in his left foot; he can change a game with one moment of brilliance. His directness is his biggest strength."