Remembering Rossoblu icon Marino Perani
Coming from a family of footballers, Perani arrived at the Dall’Ara for around 80 million lire back in 1958, immediately demonstrating his technical abilities at the Rossoblu. However, to help him develop as a player, Marino was sent out on loan to Padova during the 1959-60 campaign, where he played under the stewardship of Nereo Rocco and worked with talents such as Assini, Blason, Scagnellato and Vinicio.
On his return to the Rossoblu, Perani struck up a love-hate relationship with coach Bernardini, although still managed to impress up front for the club. He was of particular assistance to Nielsen and Pascutti, as he provided a positive creative outlet from the flanks. Much to Perani’s displeasure, he was often alternated with Mimmo Renna, although he eventually emerged as a more mature and complete player as a result.
Such was his progression at Bologna, a call-up to the National Team was only natural. He travelled with the Azzurri squad to take part in the 1966 World Cup, where first round elimination to North Korea ruined any chances of him representing Italy in future tournaments. However, he continued to be a loyal servant to Bologna, representing the club for an outsanding 16 seasons. During this period he won the Scudetto, the Mitropa Cup, two Coppa Italia trophies and one Anglo-Italian League Cup.
Amazingly playing 415 matches for the Rossoblu, he is now currently fifth in terms of all-time appearances for the club, sitting being Bulgarelli, Roversi, Nervo and Reguzzoni. Following his switch to coaching, he initially worked among the youth teams and helped train a young Roberto Mancini, before then taking charge of the senior side in the 1979 after the sacking of Pasaola. Under Perani, Bologna played with a revolutionary double centre-back pairing in front of the sweeper, who were then flanked by two full-backs. This was a forerunner for the 5-3-2 formation that was adopted by many teams in the late 1980’s. Perani worked hard as a coach and led Bologna to a seventh place finish in his final season with the club. He then went onto work with a number of other teams, notably winning Serie C1 with Parma.
