Name: Costanzo Balleri
Nickname: "Lupo"
Country:
ItalyClub: U.S. Livorno (1953-1959), S.P.A.L. (1959-1960)
Position: *DMF, CB
Side: RF/BS
Age: 23-27 years (20/08/1933)
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Attack: 66
Defence: 77
Balance: 84
Stamina: 86
Top Speed: 75
Acceleration: 74
Response: 78
Agility: 72
Dribble Accuracy: 75
Dribble Speed: 71
Short Pass Accuracy: 77
Short Pass Speed: 73
Long Pass Accuracy: 80
Long Pass Speed: 75
Shot Accuracy: 63
Shot Power: 80
Shot Technique: 64
Free Kick Accuracy: 76
Curling: 69
Header: 76
Jump: 73
Technique: 81
Aggression: 67
Mentality: 79
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 81
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 6
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 6
Growth type: Standard/Lasting
CARDS:
P06 - Pinpoint Pass
S09 - Covering
SPECIAL ABILITIES: - Covering
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Defence Minded
INFO:
Balleri was a centre half-back or full-back on the right side who played also as sweeper in the late part of his career. He played for the most part of his career in Livorno: 148 matches and 7 goals from 1953 to 1959 − mostly in Serie C − plus 48 games and 2 goals between 1965 and 1967. He was considered too good for Serie C, so he was bought by Serie A club SPAL in 1959. He played 30 matches in a season. Then he played for Torino, Inter − where he didn't last long because of his rebel attitude −, Modena, SPAL again and retired in 1970 after three seasons in Montevarchi.
Gifted with a strong physique and great temperament, Balleri was a good player who didn't disappoint in Serie A. His imposing size intimidated his opponents but he proved to have also uncommon vision of play with good long balls and excellent technique. Coach Giuseppe Viani described him as a defensive midfielder with high class and rare technique − he played as attacker in the early stage of his career. He's remembered not only for his class but also for his decent amount of goals, considering his defensive position. He was a free kick taker and in fact one particular goal that is considered historical came from a magistral free kick, when he scored the winning goal in a derby against Pisa on 5th December 1965.