Luca Lipani

Luca Lipani (born 18 May 2005) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Sassuolo.

Club career
Born in Genoa, Lipani joined the eponymous team's youth sector at the age of seven. Having come through the club's youth ranks, he started playing for the under-19 squad during the 2021–22 season.

Since the start of 2022–23 season, the midfielder started training with the first team, under head coach Alexander Blessin, before being regularly included in senior match-day squads by new manager Alberto Gilardino. In December 2022, he renewed his professional contract with Genoa, with the length remaining undisclosed.

On 25 February 2023, Lipani made his professional debut, coming on as a substitute for Milan Badelj at the 85th minute of a Serie B match against SPAL: in the same occasion, he served an assist for Eddie Salcedo, whose goal settled up the game's final score for a 3–0 win. At the end of the campaign, he was involved in a double promotion, as Genoa's first team returned to Serie A after just one year, while the Primavera squad gained automatic promotion back to the Campionato Primavera 1.

On 8 August 2023, Lipani joined fellow Serie A club Sassuolo on a permanent deal, for a reported fee of eight million euros, plus add-ons. On 2 November, he made his debut for the club, coming on for Uroš Račić in the first half of extra-time of a Coppa Italia match against Spezia, which ended in a 5–4 win on penalties. On 3 January 2024, he made his first start for the Neroverdi in a 3–1 cup defeat to Atalanta.

International career
Lipani has represented Italy at various youth international levels, having played for the under-15, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 national teams. He also wore the captain armband for the under-17 national team.

In May 2022, he was included in the Italian squad that took part in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Israel: during the tournament, he scored a goal, as the Azzurrini were eventually eliminated by the Netherlands (2–1) in the quarter-finals.

In December of the same year, he took part in a training camp with the staff of the Italian senior national team, under manager Roberto Mancini.

In May 2023, he was included by head coach Carmine Nunziata in the Italian squad that took part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, where the Azzurrini finished runners-up after losing to Uruguay in the final match.

In June of the same year, he was included in the Italian squad for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Malta, where the Azzurrini eventually won their second continental title.

Style of play
Lipani is a right-footed holding midfielder,  who excels in winning the ball during the defensive phase, as well as creating chances for his team-mates, thanks to his technical skills. Despite mainly playing in a defensive role, he has also been regarded for his goal contributions, thanks to his shooting abilities.

He has cited Milan Badelj as a source of inspiration.

Honours
Italy U20 Italy U19
 * FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2023
 * UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2023