Manuel Pascali

Not to be confused with Manuel Pasqual.
Manuel Pascali
Personal information
Full name Manuel Pascali
Date of birth (1981-09-09) 9 September 1981
Place of birth Milan, Italy
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Midfielder/ Central Defender
Club information
Current team
 Cittadella
Number 29
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 Sant'Angelo 61 (13)
2002–2003 Alessandria 29 (5)
2003–2005 Pizzighettone 58 (6)
2005–2007 Carpenedolo 55 (6)
2007–2008 Parma 0 (0)
2007–2008 → Foligno (loan) 32 (0)
2008–2015 Kilmarnock 198 (14)
2015– Cittadella 24 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 November 2014.


Manuel Pascali (born 9 September 1981 in Milan, Italy) is an Italian professional footballer who plays for Italian Lega Pro side Cittadella.

Pascali most famously captained Kilmarnock to a Scottish League Cup title in 2012. However, he didn't play in the final due to injury.

Club career

He started his career with Sant'Angelo before moving on to Serie C2 with Pizzighettone and Carpenedolo. He then earned a move to Serie A with Parma in 2007, although he was loaned out to Foligno of Serie C1/A for the entire 2007–08 season.

Kilmarnock

He initially joined Kilmarnock on trial in July 2008 with a view to a one-year loan deal.[1] During this period however, his performances convinced manager Jim Jefferies to part with an undisclosed fee to acquire him on a three-year deal.[2] Upon joining Kilmarnock, Pascali revealed that Sergio Porrini played a role of Pascali joining a Scottish club and says he might be successful there [in Scotland], which he did later on in his Kilmarnock's career.[3] On 9 August 2008, Pascali made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Hibernian. On 23 August 2008, Pascali scored his first goal for the club in the 45th minute in a 1–0 win over Hamilton Academical. His second goal came on 15 December 2008 in a 2–0 win over Motherwell. On 13 January 2009, Pascali provided an assist to an Allan Russell goal in a 2–1 defeat by Aberdeen. In his first season, Pascali made 35 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals (two in the league and one in the Scottish Cup against Ayr United in a 2–2 draw on 10 January 2009).

Pascali started the 2009–10 season with a win in the 3–1 triumph over Morton in the League Cup after coming on as a substitute early in the second half. He played his first league match of the season in a 3–1 win over St Mirren on 29 August. He was sent off in the league match against Rangers on 19 September, after a second bookable offence in a 0–0 draw. On 18 January 2010, Pascali scored his first of the season in a 1–0 win over Falkirk to advance Kilmarnock to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. On 30 January 2010, Pascali scored his second of the season in a thrilling 4–4 draw against Dundee United. In his second season, Pascali made 26 appearances in total and scored two goals, one in the league and one in the Scottish Cup.

Pascali played in the first league match of the 2010–11 season, a 2–1 defeat by Rangers. On 10 November 2010, Pascali provided an assist to Conor Sammon in a 3–0 win over Hamilton, his first in almost two years. On 19 March 2011, Pascali scored his first goal of the season and also provided the assist for Jamie Hamill to score the second goal in a 3–1 win over Motherwell. On 23 April, Pascali scored a header in the 87th minute in a 4–2 defeat against Dundee United. Pascali provided an assist for James Fowler in his next game on 30 April against Hearts in a 2–2 draw. Pascali received 3 one-match bans after he received 18 yellow cards over the course of the season. Pascali featured 39 times and scored twice.

At the start of the season, Pascali started the 2011–12 campaign with a 1–1 draw against Dundee United on 24 July 2011 and soon became a temporary skipper for the club.[4] After a match against Rangers on 27 September 2011, which Kilmarnock lost 2–0, Pascali was involved in an altercation in the tunnel with Rangers defender Steven Whittaker which Rangers' manager Ally McCoist dismissed as 'handbags' and "like two boys in the playground" in his post-match press conference.[5] Manager Kenny Shiels wanted an end to the row that developed between Kirk Broadfoot and Pascali and referred to Broadfoot as "the ugly boy from Rangers" and "the male model from Ayrshire" in a radio interview.[6] However, Broadfoot claimed Pascali made death threats and was "in my face saying he was going to kill me". In response to this, Pascali denied the his [Broadfoot] claim and branded Broadfoot a publicity-seeking coward.[7] Four days after the incident on 1 October 2011, Pascali scored his first of the season in a 2–1 defeat by St Johnstone. On 19 November 2011, Pascali scored his second goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Hibernian,[8] followed up by scoring the winning goal for Kilmarnock in a 1–0 win at Rugby Park against Rangers in the Scottish Premier League on 27 November 2011.[9] Following his goal against Rangers, Pascali spoke to BBC Scotland's Chick Young and said scoring against Rangers was the best day of his career.[10] On 7 January 2012, Pascali scored the only goal for Kilmarnock in a 1–1 draw against Dundee in the Scottish Cup. On 11 February 2012, Pascali broke his leg while stretching for the ball during training. He spent the rest of the 2011–12 season on the sidelines.[11] He ended the season with 30 appearances and four goals (three in the league and one in the Scottish Cup). During his rehabilitation, Pascali signed a new deal with Kilmarnock. He penned a three-year contract and manager Shiels described Pascali as "one of the three quartermasters" along with Garry Hay and James Fowler.[12]

Pascali made his first appearance since his leg injury in a 0–0 draw against Dundee in the opening game of the 2012–13 season on 4 August. Pascali then started Kilmarnock's next match, away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle and scored his first goal of the new campaign in a 1–1 draw. On 24 November, Pascali received a straight red card in the fifth minute after a foul on Nigel Hasselbaink in a 2–1 defeat by St Johnstone. His sending off was criticised by Kenny Shiels[13] and after the match the club appealed the red card. However, the appeal was unsuccessful meaning Pascali would miss two matches.[14] St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas spoke out about the sending off insisting the Kilmarnock supporters were wrong to jeer Hasselbaink after the winger was made the scapegoat by the home crowd.[15] After the two match ban, Pascali returned to the squad in a 2–0 win over Aberdeen. On 19 January 2013, Pascali scored two goals in the 3–2 defeat by Dundee United.[16] However the following month, Pascali suffered an hamstring injury during a match against Hearts, which he went off on the 75th minutes and will cause him to miss the rest of the season, like last season.[17]

In the 2013-14 season, Pascali made his first team return, coming on as a substitute for Darren Barr in the 90th minutes, in a 0–0 draw against St Johnstone, having been absent from the Matchday squad in the opening game of the season against Aberdeen.[18] After regaining his fitness for the club's reserve match,[19] Pascali returned to the first team as a captain,[20] which under his leadership, Pascali helped the club finish ninth place after the club struggled to get their first win for the first-nine matches. Pascali finished his 2013–14 season, making 32 appearance in all competitions, which he continued from injury plagued and suspension.

The 2014–15 season saw Pascali continued to remain captain for the club throughout the season. Pascali then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win over Partick Thistle on 27 September 2014.[21] Unfortunately on 26 October 2014, Pascali was sent-off in the 34th minutes after a foul on Stefan Šćepović, as Kilmarnock lost 2–0 to Celtic.[22] After serving one game, Pascali made his return on 8 November 2014, in a 3–0 loss against Ross County, which he was disappointed with the performance.[23] The next game against Dundee United on 22 November 2014, Pascali scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 loss.[24] Two months later on 24 January 2015, Pascali scored against Patrick Thistle for the second time this season, which was a 2–2 draw.[25] Unfortunately, Pascali soon be on the sidelined after ankle injury.[26] Pascali made his return to the first team and went on to make 34 appearance and scoring three times in all competitions.

Despite keen to stay at the club for a long time and hinted of earning a testimonial match,[27] Pascali was offered a new contract by the club. However, Pascali was unhappy with the contract length while negotiation.[28] As a result, there were further hints that Pascali could leave the club to move abroad.[29] On 18 June 2015, Pascali announced that he was set to leave Kilmarnock in June 2015, ending his seven years association with the club and later criticised the club's chairman Michael Johnston for creating a negative atmosphere around the club.[30]

A.S. Cittadella

On 1 July 2015, it was announced that Pascali returned to Italy after seven years in Scotland and had signed for Cittadella in Lega Pro, the league formally known as Serie C.[31]

Personal life

Pascali is married to Chiara, and has two sons.[32] After having played for Kilmarnock for a number of years, Pascali commented that he never expected to live in the country for four years, and had begun to feel like a native.[33] Pascali grew up supporting Inter Milan.[34]

Career statistics

As of 15 May 2015[35]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kilmarnock 2008–09 3223130383
2009–10 2212120262
2010–11 3521031393
2011–12 2433130304
2012–13 2430010253
2013–14 3101000320
2014–15 3031020333
Total 1981411314121418

References

  1. ↑ Killie trial for Parma man, Sky Sports, 25 July 2008.
  2. ↑ Pascali agrees move to Kilmarnock, BBC Sport, 7 August 2008.
  3. ↑ "Ex-Rangers star told me I can be hit in Scotland, says Kilmarnock hopeful Manuel Pascali". Daily Record. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Manuel Pascali reveals his pride at being asked to skipper Kilmarnock". Daily Record. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "McCoist dismisses tunnel row". Sky Sports. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Shiels cools Broadfoot row". Sky Sports. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Pascali – Broadfoot is a liar". Sky Sports. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  8. ↑ "Hibernian 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "Kilmarnock 1 - 0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "The best day of my career – Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "Kilmarnock suffer blow as skipper Manuel Pascali breaks leg in bizarre training accident". Daily Record. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Pascali agrees Killie deal". Sky Sports. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels piles into ref over Pascali red card as St Johntone take points at Rugby Park". Daily Record. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Killie lose Manuel Pascali red card appeal as defender is hit with two-game ban". Daily Record. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "Killie fans were wrong to single out Nigel Hasselbaink for criticism after Pascali red card, insists Steve Lomas". Daily Record. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–3 United". Dundee United FC. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  17. ↑ "Kilmarnock: Manuel Pascali injury gives Kenny Shiels a problem". BBC Sport. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Kilmarnock 0–0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "Allan Johnston hoping to bring in at least one more player". Daily Record. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "Barry Nicholson can't wait for vocal skipper Manu to noise up squad". Daily Record. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Kilmarnock 3–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "Celtic 2–0 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali gives his view of Ross County defeat: We were s***e". Daily Record. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Dundee United 3–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2-2 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  26. ↑ "Celtic v Kilmarnock preview: Hosts aim to stretch league lead". STV Sport. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  27. ↑ "Manuel Pascali: My dream is to earn testimonial year at Kilmarnock". STV Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  28. ↑ "Kilmarnock: Sammy Clingan among five first-team exits". BBC Sport. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  29. ↑ "Kilmarnock pair could move abroad despite being offered deals". BBC Sport. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Manuel Pascali: Ex-chairman created 'negative' Kilmarnock atmosphere". STV Sport. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "Cittadella, vicino l'arrivo di Manuel Pascali dal Kilmarnock" (in Italian). Gianlucas Di Marzio Website. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  32. ↑ "I've become a big softie since birth of my son, says Kilmarnock hardman Manuel Pascali". Daily Record. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  33. ↑ "Kilmarnock skipper Manuel Pascali never thought he would stay in Scotland but four years on he feels like a native". Daily Record. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  34. ↑ "Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali on his love for Inter Milan". STV Sport. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Manuel Pascali career statistics at Soccerbase
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