Massimo Oddo

Oddo came through AC Milan’s youth ranks at a time when the Italian giants boasted a world class squad. The quality of the team at this time made it difficult for the 17 year old to break through so it’s not surprising to learn that between 1995-2000, the young Italian was sent out on loan a total of 6 times — all within Italy. In order to secure first team playing time in 2000, at the age of 24, Oddo left Milan on a permanent move to Hellas Verona. He impressed with his new club and despite Verona being relegated in his second season, he stayed in the top flights after Lazio bought him to be their starting right back. In just 12 months, Oddo experienced relegation with Verona and qualified for Champions league football with Lazio. He was highly effective in the attack but also a very competent defender. Oddo quickly became a fan favorite at Lazio. His performances earned him a spot on the 2006 World Cup roster and he became a World Champion that year playing a limited role for Marcello Lippi. Returning to Rome, Oddo was named captain for Lazio in the 06/07 season but would return where it all started in the winter when he was sold back to Milan. Ancelotti’s back like was set: Massimo Oddo, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski. Oddo would help Milan win the Champions League that year. The following season, Ancelotti signed Gianluca Zambrotta to compete with Oddo and he saw his game time diminish. Oddo decided to join fellow Italian, Luca Toni, at Bayern the following season as Milan loaned him out, giving the Bavarians an option to make the loan permanent. He featured in 18 league matches, starting 13, but never scored or provided an assist. He would typically play on the right side with Phillip Lahm out on the left while Christian Lell was his main competition at right back. Oddo also started in 7 Champions League matches and 2 Pokal matches. At the end of the season, Bayern opted not to exercise their option to make the deal permanent and he returned to AC Milan. He joined Lecce in 2011 on loan and retired in 2012.

His Bayern tenure was short and not very spectacular but he had a career many players can only dream of.

After his playing career, Oddo managed several Italian teams but never had much success.

The picture is from Matchday 14 when Bayern took on Energie Cottbus at the Allianz Arena on November 22 2008.

by Jahblessnoob

3 comments

  1. > Ancelotti’s back like was set: Massimo Oddo, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski. Oddo would help Milan win the Champions League that year.

    Speaking of iconic back lines, Oddo was part of the back four of Lell, Breno, Demichelis, and himself who had the misfortune of having to take on Pep’s Barca in the first leg of the 08/09 CL quarter final in Barcelona. Dark times those…

  2. Fun fact: Oddo is a trained barber and styled a lot of his Italy colleagues’ hair at the World Cup 2006.

  3. According to Transfermarkt/Kicker he provided 4 assists in those 18 games, 2 in the very game the picture shows. Plus 2 in the DFB-Pokal.

    Hadn’t thought about him pretty much since the loan ended, so the write-up was an interesting read

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