Giuseppe Mascara
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Mascara is an Italian
professional football player currently playing for Napoli in the Italian Serie A. He is equally adept at playing as a striker or as a wide forward.
amateurs P.D. Comiso
before transferring to nearby club U.S. Ragusa
to start his professional career with. Here, he earned some valuable experience over a two season period, turning out for the first team and netting 5 goals in 29 appearances.
n side U.S. Battipagliese in 1997, and remained with the then-Serie C1
club until June 2000, playing just under 50 games for them also scoring 67 goals. Following his impressive 3 season stint with the club, he transferred to another Campanian team, U.S. Avellino
.
He then briefly moved to nearby rivals, Salernitana Calcio 1919
scoring in his only appearance for the club, before moving back to Sicily
with U.S. Città di Palermo
.
, in his return to Sicily
. The club had just been promoted back into Serie B
. Mascara began his career well in the Sicilian capital, grabbing 8 Serie B goals, in 38 league appearances. In his second and final season with Palermo
, Mascara was sent on loan with Genoa C.F.C.
. With the Liguria
n club, Mascara made just 13 league starts, scoring just twice in the process. Hence, he returned to Palermo, but was transfer listed and soon signed for Sicilian
rivals, Calcio Catania
.
, which was a return home, as he was actually born in the Province of Catania
. During his first season with the club, who at that point were still in the Serie B, Mascara was an undisputed starter as the player went on to make 41 league appearances and scored 13 goals. Following an impressive first season in Catania, the player was surprisingly sent out on loan for the 2004–05 Serie B season, playing for Perugia Calcio
. During his season long loan, Mascara made 37 league appearances with 4 goals to his tally. Mascara returned to Sicily for the 2005–2006 Serie B season, where Catania went on to finish second in the league, earning promotion to the Serie A. Mascara contributed with 14 goals in 36 appearances following his return.
In his first Serie A
season, the 26 year-old Mascara, formed a formidable partnership with Gionatha Spinesi
, as the duo led Catania to an impressive 13th place finish. Mascara ended his season with 6 league goals in 28 starts. In his second Serie A season, Mascara again impressed, making 35 league appearances with 4 goals, playing the season as a second striker. The player shined during the 2008–2009 Serie A campaign, scoring 12 goals in just 34 appearances. That tally also increases to 15 goals, counting the Coppa Italia
. It was to date, Mascara's most successful season, under then-coach Walter Zenga
. On March 1, 2009, Mascara scored a remarkable goal in the Sicilian derby away to Palermo at Stadio Renzo Barbera
, taking a long lobbed shot, on the volley, from around 55 meters out which left Italian international
goalkeeper Marco Amelia
falling back into his own net. Catania went on to win that match 0–4 courtesy of goals from Pablo Ledesma
, Takayuki Morimoto
, Mascara, and Michele Paolucci
. The goal was later nominated as Serie A goal of the season. Mascara has remained a prominent member of the Catania side, since helping them gain promotion from Serie B
in the 2005–06 season. The 2009–10 season also proved to be a successful one, as his club clearly avoided relegation, finishing in 12th position, reaching the club's points total record in Serie A. Mascara was his club's fourth top goalscorer, with 8 goals, behind Maxi Lopez
(12), Takayuki Morimoto
(12), and Jorge Andres Martinez
(9). To date he has played over 150 matches, and has been one of their best players in their current spell in the Italian top flight. Mascara also sports the captain's armband the rossazzurri.
for a fee of €1.2 million, signing a contract until 2013. He made his debut on the 6 February 2011 against Cesena
, coming on as a 74th minute substitute for Marek Hamšík
. in this game he supplied an assist to Jose Sosa to make the score 2-0. Mascara made his career European debut on the 17th February in a 0-0 against Villareal
in the Europa League, a game in which he started.
Mascara's first goal for the azzurri came on the 10 April 2011, scoring the first in a 0-2 victory over Bologna
.
, together with teammate Marco Biagianti
. Mascara played the entire first half of the game, becoming the first Catania player to mark an appearance with the Italian team.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
professional football player currently playing for Napoli in the Italian Serie A. He is equally adept at playing as a striker or as a wide forward.
U.S. Ragusa
Mascara started out playing for the youth side of SicilianSicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
amateurs P.D. Comiso
P.D. Comiso
Associazione Calcio Dilettantistica Città di Vittoria is an Italian association football club located in Vittoria, Sicily. It currently plays in Serie D. Its colors are red and white.The club was previously known as Polisportiva Dilettante Comiso...
before transferring to nearby club U.S. Ragusa
U.S. Ragusa
Unione Sportiva Ragusa is an Italian association football club located in Ragusa, Sicily. It currently plays in Eccellenza, having been excluded from Serie D in 2007 for bankruptcy. Its colors are blue and white....
to start his professional career with. Here, he earned some valuable experience over a two season period, turning out for the first team and netting 5 goals in 29 appearances.
U.S. Battipagliese
Successively, Mascara moved to the mainland, joining CampaniaCampania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
n side U.S. Battipagliese in 1997, and remained with the then-Serie C1
Serie C1
Lega Pro Prima Divisione is the name of the third highest football league in Italy. It consists of 36 teams, divided geographically into two divisions of 18 teams each. Until 2008 it was known as Serie C1....
club until June 2000, playing just under 50 games for them also scoring 67 goals. Following his impressive 3 season stint with the club, he transferred to another Campanian team, U.S. Avellino
U.S. Avellino
Associazione Sportiva Avellino 1912 , since summer 2010, is the new name of the Italian football club, based in Avellino, Campania. The club was founded in 1912 and its traditional colours are green and white...
.
US Avellino and Salernitana Calcio
Following his 2000 transfer to Avellino, Mascara was soon a big hit at the southern Italian club, where he strongly impressed during his lone season with the club, bagging 16 goals in 29 games.He then briefly moved to nearby rivals, Salernitana Calcio 1919
Salernitana Calcio 1919
Salerno Calcio, or simply Salerno is an Italian association football club from Salerno, Campania.The club is not the legitimate heir of the former Salernitana Calcio 1919, but there is however a sports continuity between the two companies thanks to Article 52 NOIF of FIGC, and the fact that they...
scoring in his only appearance for the club, before moving back to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
with U.S. Città di Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
.
U.S. Città di Palermo
In January 2001, Mascara officially transferred to U.S. Città di PalermoU.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
, in his return to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. The club had just been promoted back into Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
. Mascara began his career well in the Sicilian capital, grabbing 8 Serie B goals, in 38 league appearances. In his second and final season with Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, Mascara was sent on loan with Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
. With the Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
n club, Mascara made just 13 league starts, scoring just twice in the process. Hence, he returned to Palermo, but was transfer listed and soon signed for Sicilian
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
rivals, Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
.
Calcio Catania
In July 2003, officially moved to Calcio CataniaCalcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
, which was a return home, as he was actually born in the Province of Catania
Province of Catania
Catania is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Catania.It has an area of 3,552 km², and a total population of 1,073,881 . There are 58 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Catania...
. During his first season with the club, who at that point were still in the Serie B, Mascara was an undisputed starter as the player went on to make 41 league appearances and scored 13 goals. Following an impressive first season in Catania, the player was surprisingly sent out on loan for the 2004–05 Serie B season, playing for Perugia Calcio
Perugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
. During his season long loan, Mascara made 37 league appearances with 4 goals to his tally. Mascara returned to Sicily for the 2005–2006 Serie B season, where Catania went on to finish second in the league, earning promotion to the Serie A. Mascara contributed with 14 goals in 36 appearances following his return.
In his first Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
season, the 26 year-old Mascara, formed a formidable partnership with Gionatha Spinesi
Gionatha Spinesi
Gionatha Spinesi is an Italian former footballer.-Career:Spinesi started playing for Pisa Calcio. In November 1995 he signed for Inter Milan, however, he was not able to make appearance in the first team. Sold in January 1997 to Castel di Sangro, he played two unimpressive Serie B seasons for the...
, as the duo led Catania to an impressive 13th place finish. Mascara ended his season with 6 league goals in 28 starts. In his second Serie A season, Mascara again impressed, making 35 league appearances with 4 goals, playing the season as a second striker. The player shined during the 2008–2009 Serie A campaign, scoring 12 goals in just 34 appearances. That tally also increases to 15 goals, counting the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
. It was to date, Mascara's most successful season, under then-coach Walter Zenga
Zenga
Zenga is the Japanese term for the practice and art of Zen Buddhist painting and calligraphy in the Japanese tea ceremony and also the martial arts.-Definition:...
. On March 1, 2009, Mascara scored a remarkable goal in the Sicilian derby away to Palermo at Stadio Renzo Barbera
Stadio Renzo Barbera
Stadio Renzo Barbera is a football stadium in Palermo, Italy. It is currently home of U.S. Città di Palermo football team. The stadium was inaugurated on January 24, 1932 and was named Stadio Littorio in homage to the Fascism. The opening match was Palermo vs Atalanta, with Palermo winning 5–1...
, taking a long lobbed shot, on the volley, from around 55 meters out which left Italian international
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
goalkeeper Marco Amelia
Marco Amelia
Marco Amelia, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Milan. He was part of the Italian squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup.-Early career:Amelia grew up as part of the Roma youth system...
falling back into his own net. Catania went on to win that match 0–4 courtesy of goals from Pablo Ledesma
Pablo Ledesma
Pablo Martín Ledesma is an Argentine professional footballer, currently playing for Calcio Catania in the Italian Serie A.-River Plate:...
, Takayuki Morimoto
Takayuki Morimoto
is a Japanese footballer who plays for Novara in the Serie A, in a co-ownership bid with Catania.Morimoto holds the record for the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut and the youngest scorer in J. League history...
, Mascara, and Michele Paolucci
Michele Paolucci
Michele Paolucci is an Italian footballer who plays for Vicenza on loan from Siena.-Juventus and loans:Paolucci came through the ranks at Juventus where he played alongside Claudio Marchisio and Paolo De Ceglie....
. The goal was later nominated as Serie A goal of the season. Mascara has remained a prominent member of the Catania side, since helping them gain promotion from Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
in the 2005–06 season. The 2009–10 season also proved to be a successful one, as his club clearly avoided relegation, finishing in 12th position, reaching the club's points total record in Serie A. Mascara was his club's fourth top goalscorer, with 8 goals, behind Maxi Lopez
Maxi López
Maximiliano Gastón López is an Argentine football player who currently plays as a striker for Calcio Catania in the Italian Serie A. López also holds Italian nationality.-River Plate:...
(12), Takayuki Morimoto
Takayuki Morimoto
is a Japanese footballer who plays for Novara in the Serie A, in a co-ownership bid with Catania.Morimoto holds the record for the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut and the youngest scorer in J. League history...
(12), and Jorge Andres Martinez
Jorge Andrés Martínez
Jorge Andrés Martínez Barrios is a Uruguayan footballer who currently plays for Cesena in the Italian Serie A.-Montevideo Wanderers F.C.:...
(9). To date he has played over 150 matches, and has been one of their best players in their current spell in the Italian top flight. Mascara also sports the captain's armband the rossazzurri.
S.S.C. Napoli
On 31 January 2011, the final day of the January transfer window, Mascara signed for NapoliS.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
for a fee of €1.2 million, signing a contract until 2013. He made his debut on the 6 February 2011 against Cesena
A.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
, coming on as a 74th minute substitute for Marek Hamšík
Marek Hamšík
Marek Hamšík is a Slovak football midfielder who currently plays for Serie A club S.S.C. Napoli and captains the Slovakia national team.-Early career:...
. in this game he supplied an assist to Jose Sosa to make the score 2-0. Mascara made his career European debut on the 17th February in a 0-0 against Villareal
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
in the Europa League, a game in which he started.
Mascara's first goal for the azzurri came on the 10 April 2011, scoring the first in a 0-2 victory over Bologna
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
.
International career
Following his impressive performances with Catania in the 2008–09 season, Mascara received his first call-up to the Italian national football team for the June 6, 2009 friendly game against Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, together with teammate Marco Biagianti
Marco Biagianti
Marco Biagianti is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Calcio Catania in the Italian Serie A, and on July 9, 2011, was assigned captaincy of the club.-ACF Fiorentina:...
. Mascara played the entire first half of the game, becoming the first Catania player to mark an appearance with the Italian team.