Armando Izzo
{{short description|Italian footballer (born 1992)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Armando Izzo
| image =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|3|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Naples, Italy
| height = 1.83 m
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Monza
| clubnumber = 4
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Napoli
| years1 = 2011–2012
| clubs1 = Napoli
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2012
| clubs2 = → Triestina (loan)
| caps2 = 13
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012–2014
| clubs3 = Avellino
| caps3 = 58
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2014–2018
| clubs4 = Genoa
| caps4 = 98
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2018–2023
| clubs5 = Torino
| caps5 = 104
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2022–2023
| clubs6 = → Monza (loan)
| caps6 = 30
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = Monza
| caps7 = 53
| goals7 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2019
| nationalteam1 = Italy
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 21:45, 26 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21:45, 18 November 2019 (UTC)
}}
Armando Izzo ({{IPA|it|arˈmando ˈittso}}; born 2 March 1992) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{Italian football updater|Monza}} club Monza. He previously played for the Italy national team.
Club career
= Early career =
Izzo started playing football at the age of 13 with ARCI Scampia, before moving Napoli, where he also won a Campionato Nazionale Dante Berretti. In the 2011–12 season he went on loan to Triestina in Lega Pro Prima Divisione, with whom he played 13 games and scored his first professional career goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/lega-pro/triestina-in-arrivo-izzo-e-de-vena-dal-napoli-281552 |title=Triestina, in arrivo Izzo e De Vena dal Napoli |trans-title=Triestina, arriving Izzo and De Vena from Napoli |language=it |publisher=Tutto Mercato Web |date=14 July 2011 |access-date=10 March 2014}}
On 31 January 2012, Izzo joined Avellino in a co-ownership deal,{{cite news|url=http://www.soloavellino.com/calciomercato-armando-izzo-e-dellavellino/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140311015659/http://www.soloavellino.com/calciomercato-armando-izzo-e-dellavellino/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2014 |title=Calciomercato: Armando Izzo è dell'Avellino |trans-title=Transfer Market: Armando Izzo is from Avellino |language=it |publisher=Solo Avellino |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=10 March 2014 }} with whom he played 6 games. The following season, Izzo made 22 appearances and scored a goal, as Avellino won the league and were promoted to Serie B. Izzo debuted in Serie B in the 2013–14 season, ending the season with a goal in 30 appearances.
= Genoa =
During the summer he was sold to Genoa, with whom he debuted in Serie A on 5 October 2014, in a 2–1 win away against Parma.{{cite news|url=http://genoacfc.it/notizie/izzo-alla-corte-di-gasperini/|title=Izzo Alla Corte di Gasperini|trans-title=Izzo in Gasperini's court|language=it|publisher=Genoa's official website|date=14 July 2014|access-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015133558/http://genoacfc.it/notizie/izzo-alla-corte-di-gasperini/|archive-date=15 October 2014|url-status=dead}} He scored his first goal in the top flight on 11 January 2015, at San Siro against Inter Milan. On 1 April 2015, he renewed his contract with Genoa until 2019. Izzo ended the season with 20 appearances and one goal.
The following season makes his first league appearance of the season in a 2–0 win against Verona. He made 33 appearances for Genoa during the season.
In the 2016–17 he was a starter in defence for the Ligurian team, while the following season, he made only 16 appearances due to injuries and disqualifications. He scored his only goal of the season on 25 October 2017, opening the scoring in 2–3 home defeat against Napoli. On 12 May 2018, in an away game against Benevento, he made his hundredth appearance for Genoa.
= Torino =
On 4 July 2018, Izzo signed a four-year contract with Torino.{{cite web|url=http://www.toronews.net/toro/ufficiale-izzo-e-del-toro-e-il-primo-acquisto/|access-date=4 July 2018|title=Izzo signed with Torino|language=it|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090401/http://www.toronews.net/toro/ufficiale-izzo-e-del-toro-e-il-primo-acquisto/|url-status=dead}} He made his debut with Torino on 12 August during a 4–0 win over against Cosenza in the Coppa Italia. On 4 November he scored his first goal in Serie A with Torino, in 1–4 away victory against Sampdoria.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
= Monza =
On 1 September 2022, Izzo joined newly-promoted Serie A side Monza on a one-year loan.{{Cite web |date=1 September 2022 |title=Armando Izzo è del Monza |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/3854/ |access-date=1 September 2022 |website=A.C. Monza}} He made his debut on 5 September, as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 league defeat to Atalanta.{{Cite web |title=Monza-Atalanta 0-2: Hojlund e Lookman regalano i 3 punti alla Dea, prima da sola in classifica dopo 58 anni |url=https://www.eurosport.it/calcio/serie-a/2022-2023/live-monza-atalanta_mtc1363546/live-commentary.shtml |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Eurosport |language=it}} Following the end of the loan spell, on 5 July 2023, Monza signed Izzo permanently on a three-year deal.{{Cite web |date=5 July 2023 |title=Bentornato Armando Izzo |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/armando-izzo-ritorno-monza-titolo-definitivo-comunicato/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=AC Monza |language=it}}
International career
On 5 November 2016, Izzo was called up to the senior squad for the first time by Gian Piero Ventura for Italy's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification match against Liechtenstein and a friendly match against Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportnews.eu/2016/11/07/italia-marchisio-torna-casa-convocati-izzo-gagliardini/|title=Italia: Marchisio torna a casa, convocati Izzo e Gagliardini|publisher=sportnews.eu|date=5 November 2016|access-date=7 November 2016|language=it}}
On 15 March 2019, Izzo received a call up from Roberto Mancini for Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Finland and Liechtenstein later that month.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/135825/italy-pavoletti-quag-balotelli-out|title=Italy: Pavoletti & Quag in, Balotelli out|publisher=Football Italia|date=15 March 2019}} On 26 March, he made his senior international debut in a 6–0 home win over Liechtenstein.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/136257/euro-2020-italy-hit-liechtenstein-six|title=Euro 2020: Italy hit Liechtenstein for six|publisher=Football Italia|date=26 March 2019}}
Match-fixing
On 23 May 2016, Izzo, along with midfielders Luca Pini and Francesco Millesi, was put under investigation by the anti-mafia police department in Naples (DDA) after being accused of being directly involved with a Camorra clan based in Secondigliano in altering the results of the Serie B matches Modena–Avellino (1–0) from 17 March 2014, and Avellino–Reggina (3–0) from 25 May 2014. On 3 March 2017, the Italian Football Federation's prosecutor asked for Izzo to be suspended for six years, also requesting that collateral estoppel be applied, and demanded that he should receive a €20,000 fine. On 12 April, he received an 18-month ban from football and was also fined €50,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/100797/izzo-six-year-ban-next-week|title=Izzo six-year ban next week?|publisher=Football Italia|date=7 April 2017|access-date=25 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/genoa/story/3102009/genoas-armando-izzo-gets-18-month-ban-in-match-fixing-investigation|title=Genoa's Armando Izzo gets 18-month ban in match-fixing investigation|publisher=ESPN FC|date=12 April 2017|access-date=25 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/101010/izzo-receives-18-month-ban|title=Izzo receives 18-month ban|publisher=Football Italia|date=12 April 2017|access-date=25 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/campania/notizie/2016/05/23/camorra-le-mani-del-clan-su-scommesse-in-partite-di-serie-b-10-arresti_2f6f1793-511e-4c3d-bc42-9feb25f40350.html|title=Camorra, Izzo: "Non c'entro niente, vivo un incubo"|publisher=Ansa.it|language=it|date=24 May 2016|access-date=25 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Genoa/03-03-2017/procura-figc-richiesti-6-anni-izzo-7-punti-l-avellino-1801074040498.shtml|title=Scommesse, la Procura Figc chiede 6 anni per Izzo e -7 punti per l'Avellino|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=3 March 2017|access-date=25 April 2017}} On 19 May, his ban was reduced to six months.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/102801/izzo-sentence-reduced-six-months|title=Izzo sentence reduced to six months|publisher=Football Italia|date=19 May 2017|access-date=19 May 2017}} On 4 May 2023, Izzo was found guilty of associating with the Camorra and sporting fraud, and sentenced to five years in prison.{{cite web|url=https://football-italia.net/monza-defender-izzo-found-guilty-in-betting-scandal/|title=MONZA DEFENDER IZZO FOUND GUILTY IN BETTING SCANDAL|publisher=Football Italia|date=4 May 2023}}
Style of play
Izzo is a right-footed defender who mainly plays as a centre-back. He has often played in a three-man back-line throughout his career, a position which best utilises his dynamism, and which also allows him to contribute offensively as well as defensively. He has also been deployed as a right-sided full-back on occasion. A strong, hard-working, and tenacious defender, he is known for his tackling ability and anticipation.{{cite web |url=https://www.tuttonapoli.net/le-interviste/ag-izzo-e-abituato-alla-difesa-a-tre-in-quel-ruolo-e-tra-i-piu-forti-in-europa-385710 |title=Ag. Izzo: "E' abituato alla difesa a tre, in quel ruolo è tra i più forti in Europa" |website=www.tuttonapoli.net |language=it |date=15 February 2019 |access-date=10 September 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/armando-izzo-calciatore-marzo-serie-a-2019/ |title=Il calciatore di marzo: Armando Izzo |website=www.ultimouomo.com |language=it |last1=Lisanti |first1=Francesco |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=10 September 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ilposticipo.it/calcio/genoa-izzo-squalifica/ |title=Troppa grazia, finalmente il Genoa ritrova Izzo |website=www.ilposticipo.it |language=it |date=9 September 2017 |access-date=10 September 2019 }}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|199874|access-date=13 November 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Coppa Italia !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Triestina (loan)
|13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Avellino
|Lega Pro |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13
|Lega Pro |22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2013–14
|30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!58 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 2 | |
| rowspan="5"|Genoa
|20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 1 | |||
| 2015–16
|Serie A |33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 0 | |||
| 2016–17
|Serie A |29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18
|Serie A |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!98 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 2 | |
| rowspan="5"|Torino
|Serie A |37 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 4 | |||
| 2019–20
|Serie A |31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2020–21
|Serie A |25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22
|Serie A |11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!104 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 9 | |
| rowspan="4"|Monza
|Serie A |30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24
|Serie A |23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25
|Serie A |30 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!83 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!356 | 14 | 23 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 384 | 16 |
= International =
{{updated|match played 18 November 2019}}{{FIGC Italy player|45903|access-date=18 November 2019}}
| class = "wikitable" style = "text-align:center" | ||
| National team
!Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Italy
|2019 | 3 | 0 |
| colspan="2" |Total||3||0 |
Honours
Avellino
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{TuttoCalciatori|Izzo_Armando}}
{{AC Monza squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Izzo, Armando}}
Category:Footballers from Naples
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:US Triestina Calcio 1918 players
Category:US Avellino 1912 players