Eugenio Perico, defender for Ascoli and Atalanta in the 1970s and 1980s, died at 74

He died at age 74, long suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, Eugenio Perico, born Oct. 15, 1951, in Curno, in the province of Bergamo, a footballer of the 1970s and 1980s who was a protagonist of three promotions to Serie A in the role of defender. After the 1970-1971 season with Atalanta in Serie B in which he did not play, he spent one season at Spezia and the next at Cremonese, both then in Serie C. In 1973 he landed at Ascoli, where he would play for eight years, the best in the history of the Marche club led by Costantino Rozzi. Promotion to Serie A came immediately, two seasons in the top division, two in B and then three more in A.

He is still the footballer who holds the highest number of appearances with the bianconera Ascolana jersey between Serie A and B: 236. In the fall of 1981 he returned to Atalanta, with which, after three seasons, he was the protagonist of his third personal promotion to Serie A. He hung up his boots, ending a very long career, after entering in the last minutes of the 1986-1987 Coppa Italia final lost 1-0 to Napoli. In Serie A he made a total of 205 appearances and four goals in nine seasons. After retiring, he was coach of Atalanta’s youth team, with which he won four championships in the Giovanissimi category. In 1997 he was also a candidate for mayor of his hometown, Curno. His son Gabriele also played in Serie A for Cagliari and Cesena.

Here is the condolence message from Ascoli’Ascoli on social media: “Today a serious mourning has struck the bianconero club and the whole world of Ascoli: one of the symbols of the Picchio, Eugenio Perico, a historic defender who spent a good part of his career with the Ascoli jersey, has passed away at the age of 74. Eugenio Perico was not only a highly appreciated footballer, but a true, reliable man, capable of conveying respect and deep love for the bianconeri colors. With him, Ascoli achieved historic promotion to Serie A, and in the following seasons in the city of a hundred towers – as many as eight – he wore the club’s jersey 236 times between Serie A and B, setting a true record”.

“Ascoli and its fans today say goodbye to a pillar of bianconera history, a loss, that of Eugenio, which has the flavor of a great legacy: that of someone who knew how to honor the Ascoli jersey and represent an entire people with pride and self-sacrifice. President Bernardino Passeri, the entire ownership, management, employees, team and staff express sincere and deep condolences to the Perico Family”.

Here instead is what Atalanta wrote on its official website: “Atalanta in mourning, Eugenio Perico has passed away. Growing up in the Atalanta youth sector, Perico, a native of Curno, Bergamo, wore the first team shirt for six seasons, from October 1981 to the 1986/87 championship, collecting a total of 173 appearances and scoring 2 goals. After concluding his career as a player, he continued his path in the Nerazzurri as coach of the nursery, contributing significantly to the growth of many young talents”.

“In the youth sector he won four championships with the Giovanissimi Nazionali category, leaving an important mark on the history and values of the club. President Antonio Percassi, co-Chairman Stephen Pagliuca and the entire Atalanta family extend their affection to Eugenio Perico’s family, expressing their deepest and most sincere condolences.”