Christian ABBIATI 1994-95 & 1996-98
Abbiati began his professional career at Monza and, after a loan spell at amateur club Borgosesia, returned for two years in Serie C1 that were sufficiently impressive to earn a move to Milan. The fairytale continued as in his first season he found himself thrust into the limelight when Sebastiano Rossi was banned and proved decisive in winning the Scudetto. After playing for Juventus and Torino, the goalkeeper is now at Atletico Madrid.
Massimo ODDO 1996 & 1998-99
The future World Cup winner made his Serie B debut at Monza and returned a couple of years later for a full season, during which he scored four goals in 30 games. Between those stints he won the Universiadi – International Federation of University Sports – with Italy. The right-back is a free-kick specialist and can be seen tirelessly covering the flank to churn out crosses for the strikers.
Alessandro COSTACURTA 1986-87
Billy spent a lifetime at Milan, but not quite all of it, as one season as a youngster saw him play 30 C1 games for Monza. The versatile and classy defender proved himself at that level despite his tender age of 20 and did enough to earn a recall. He would never leave the San Siro again, with 458 Serie A appearances and a new career as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant.
Mark IULIANO 1993-94
He would become a regular at Juventus, Sampdoria and Real Mallorca, but before all that Iuliano cut his teeth with 16 appearances for Monza. The central defender got slow in his old age, but always was a bit of a bruiser, never afraid to make a crunching tackle. Won everything possible with Juve in 187 Serie A appearances.
Patrice EVRA 1999-00
He may be starring for Manchester United now, but the Senegal-born left-back began his career in Italy as a left-winger. At the tender age of 16 he joined Marsala and spent the next season at Monza. Only a few years later he was at the centre of a bidding war and United captured the attack-minded player.
Antonino ASTA 1995-97
The tiny terror of the Torino midfield took a long time to reach a wider public and his one and only Italy appearance in 2002. Just three years before that Asta was running the Monza side, taking them to promotion into Serie C1. He jumped up another Division for Toro and became an unlikely hero. After injury finished his career in 2004, he took on the Granata youth academy.
Luigi DI BIAGIO 1989-92
The fiery midfielder had already made his Serie A debut for Lazio by the time he went to Monza aged 18. The next three seasons between B and C1 cemented his reputation, despite playing in a number of different positions, and caught the eye of Zdenek Zeman, who would make him one of the key figures in the scintillating Foggia side in 1992. Roma, Inter, Brescia and Ascoli followed along with 31 senior Italy caps.
Evaristo BECCALOSSI 1985-86
Most players move from Monza to the Milan giants to make their mark, but Beccalossi went the other way. After six great years at Inter, he opted to begin again in Serie B at the Brianteo. This left-footed creative midfielder helped the Nerazzurri to the Scudetto in 1980 and the European Cup semi-final and Coppa Italia trophy a year later.
Daniele MASSARO 1978-81
The future mainstay of Il Grande Milan made his name at the Brianteo over three Serie B seasons, beginning when he was just 17. At the time he was a midfielder with a creditable 10 goals in 60 games for Monza, but Fabio Capello reinvigorated his career as a centre-forward for the Rossoneri. His ability to pop up with crucial strikes earned him the nickname ‘Provvidenza’ – Providence.
Pierluigi CASIRAGHI 1985-89
The native went through the Monza youth system, made his Serie B debut aged 16 and scored a decent 28 goals for his hometown club before Juventus came knocking in 1989, narrowly beating Milan in a bidding war. The tall centre-forward went on to Lazio and Chelsea, though injury ended his career at just 31. He returned home to Monza as the Coach of their youth team, quickly making his way up to the Italy Under-21 bench.
Aurelio MILANI 1955-57
Monza’s all-time top scorer in a single Serie B season, Milani was Capocannoniere with 23 goals in 1955-56. The first real achievement of his career, this striker went on to win the European Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Scudetto with the Grande Inter. Milani even scored in the legendary 1964 Final win over Real Madrid, but later that year a back injury suffered against Dinamo Bucharest ended his career.
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He began his managerial career at Monza and came closer than anyone to Serie A football in 1969-70, setting club records with 15 wins and just one home defeat all season with a total of just 19 goals conceded. Radice went on to win Torino’s only post-Superga Scudetto as well as coaching Inter, Roma and Fiorentina, but also saw Milan relegated in 1982. 