{"id":17163,"date":"2026-02-03T02:58:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T02:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/italian-football-mourning-giani-who-has-died-at-39-after-a-long-illness\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T02:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T02:58:35","slug":"italian-football-mourning-giani-who-has-died-at-39-after-a-long-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/italian-football-mourning-giani-who-has-died-at-39-after-a-long-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian football mourning Giani, who has died at 39 after a long illness"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"PARMA,<\/picture><\/div>\n

PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Nicolas Giani of AC Spezia competes for the ball whit Jacopo Dezi of Parma Calcio during the Serie B match between Parma Calcio and AC Spezia at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 27, 2017 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n


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Italian football is in mourning following the death of former SPAL captain Nicolas Giani, an Inter youth academy product, at the age of 39.<\/p>\n

The central defender passed away today after a long illness, which had forced him to suspend his playing career in 2022.<\/p>\n

He would\u2019ve turned 40 next month.<\/p>\n

Clubs remember SPAL captain Giani<\/h2>\n
\"TRENTO,
TRENTO, ITALY \u2013 JULY 22: Ishak Belfodil (L) of Internazionale Milano competes with Nicolas Giani (R) of Vicenza Calcio during the pre-season friendly match between FC Internazionale Milano and Vicenza Calcio on July 22, 2013 in Pinzolo near Trento, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Giani had started his career as part of the Inter youth academy, going on to play for Cremonese, Pro Patria, Vicenza, Perugia, SPAL, Spezia, Feralpisal\u00f2 and Desenzano.<\/p>\n

The centre-back was most closely associated with SPAL, who he represented from 2014 to 2017, becoming their captain during their climb to Serie A.<\/p>\n

Giani never managed a single top flight game during his career, but had 181 in Serie B with five goals and four assists, plus over 200 in Serie C.<\/p>\n

He had caps for Italy at Under-18 and Under-19 level.<\/p>\n

Inter and Cremonese are among the clubs who expressed their condolences to his family, but SPAL went bankrupt in August 2025.<\/p>\n

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