Angelo Pierleoni has died: He played in Serie A with Ascoli and Cesena and also had great success under Zeman
Italian soccer mourns Angelo Pierleoni, a former midfielder who passed away at the age of 64. A native of Celano, in the province of L’Aquila, he had built a long career in Serie A, Serie B, and the lower divisions, earning recognition for his technical skills and ability to score goals. Among the highlights of his career was the promotion to the top flight he achieved with Ascoli in 1991.
The news of his death has also sparked an outpouring of grief in the Teramo area, where his soccer career began. Pierleoni had, in fact, taken his first steps as a professional wearing the Teramo jersey, making his debut during the 1979–1980 season. After a stint with Benevento, he returned to wear the red-and-white jersey before embarking on a career that would take him to some of the most prominent clubs in Italian soccer.
A midfielder with good technique and a strong attacking instinct, he also played for Fermana, helping the team earn promotion to Serie C. His time at Messina was particularly significant; there, during the 1988–1989 season under coach Zdeněk Zeman, he scored ten goals, showcasing his scoring ability as well.
His performances over the years earned him a spot in Serie A, where he played for Cesena and later for Ascoli. It was with the Marche-based club that he experienced one of the greatest moments of his career, helping secure promotion to the top flight during the 1990–1991 season, with Nedo Sonetti as head coach. His overall record in the black-and-white jersey stood at 113 appearances and nine goals.
His career also included a stint with Brescia before he decided to return to Abruzzo. In 1994, he joined Avezzano, helping the team secure another promotion—to Serie C1—during the 1995–1996 season.
The final phase of his soccer career saw him playing in regional leagues until he returned to his hometown team in Celano. After retiring from competitive play, he continued to devote himself to soccer from the sidelines, maintaining a close connection with the sport that had been a part of his life for so long.
