Daniele Franceschini was born in Rome on January 13 1976.
At 16 he joined the Lazio youth sector and in 1994-95 won the Primavera Scudetto (U19's title). It was Lazio’s 3rd title (they now have 5). The manager was former Lazio player Domenico Caso (1985-88).
In 1995-96 he joined the first team squad. The manager was Zdeněk Zeman and Lazio finished 3rd. Franceschini played 2 league games.
In 1996-97 Zeman stayed on but was replaced by Dino Zoff on January 27. Lazio finished 4th and Franceschini played 1 league game.
In January 1997 he was sent to Castel di Sangro on loan. The Castello were in Serie B, a huge feat for a town of about 5,000 inhabitants, hence the book "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" by Joe McGinniss. Unfortunately, the survival of the previous season was not repeated and the Giallorossi finished 20th and relegated. Franceschini played 8 league games
In 1997 - 1998 he joined Foggia on loan. The "Satanelli" (The Little Devils) were in Serie B but ended up relegated under former Lazio Domenico Caso. Franceschini played 34 league games with 2 goals.
In 1998 he joined Chievo in Serie B. He stayed six seasons. The Clivensi finished 11th, 15th, 3rd (historic promotion), 5th (UEFA Cup), 7th and 9th. Franceschini played 139 league games and scored 12 goals, 4 games in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup. The managers were Domenico Caso (then Lorenzo Balestro), Lorenzo Balestro and then Luigi Delneri for the next four seasons.
In January 2004 he moved down to Salento and joined Lecce on loan. The Giallorossi were in Serie A and finished 10th. The manager was future Lazio, Delio Rossi and Franceschini played 15 league games with 2 goals. The highlight of the season was beating Juventus 4-3 away and Franceschini got a goal too. His teammates included future Lazio, Cristian Ledesma (2006-2015), Sebastiano Siviglia (2004-10).
In 2004-05 he went back to Chievo and stayed two more seasons. The Clivensi finished 15th and 4th (after Calciopoli). The managers were Mario Beretta and then Maurizio D'Angelo in the first season and then Giuseppe Pillon in the second. Franceschini played another 66 league games with 4 goals (including Juventus in a 1-1 draw). His teammates included Lazio connections, Luca Marchegiani (1993-2003), Roberto Baronio (1996-97,1998-99, 2005-06, 2006-08, 2009-10) and Emanuele Pesaresi (2000-01).
In 2006 he finally left Verona and signed for Sampdoria where he stayed four seasons. The Blucerchiati finished 9th, 6th (UEFA Cup), 13th and 4th (Champions League). Franceschini played 100 league games and scored 9 goals. The managers were Walter Novellino and then Walter Mazzarri for two seasons and then in the last Luigi Delneri from his Chievo days. In 2009 Sampdoria reached the Coppa Italia final but lost to Lazio on penalties (Franceschini played 88 minutes). His teammates included Lazio connections Luciano Zauri (2003-08, 2011-13) and Fabio Bazzani (2005).
In 2010-11 he returned to the capital and joined Atletico Roma. The Roman club formed from Cisco Roma and previously Cisco Lodigiani were in Lega Pro Prima Divisione (3rd tier). The Biancoblu finished 3rd but then lost in the playoffs. The manager was first Giuseppe Incocciati and then player-manager Roberto Chiappara. Franceschini played 21 league games with 2 goals. One of his teammates was again former Lazio, Roberto Baronio. At the end of the season the club folded and he retired.
In 2013 he started a coaching career. He started where he had as a player, at Lazio. From 2013 to 2015 he was involved in the Lazio academy. In 2016 he was manager of Martina in Puglia at amateur level but did not last the season. He then entered into the Italy orbit. In 2016-17 he was assistant to U21 coach Gigi Di Biagio. In 2017-18 he was in charge of the U18's and in 2019-20 of the U20's. Since 2020 he has been head coach of the U18's again.
Franceschini was a left-footed midfielder. He was a versatile player capable of attacking and defending. One of those constant, reliable players that give the team balance. He had a good club career, playing 244 games in Serie A with 17 goals and 123 in B with 10 goals.
He was formed at Lazio but was let go when only 21. Looking at his subsequent career that was clearly a mistake. A good player and a Laziale he could have been useful to the club.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Serie A Appearances |
1995-96 | 2 |
1996-97 | 1 |
Total | 3 |
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