Paolo Orlandoni was born in Bolzano on August 12, 1972.
He started his football in the Inter academy in 1986. In 1987 he and the Nerazzurri won the U17's league title and in 1989 the U19's.
In 1990-91 he joined the Inter first squad but did not make any appearances. The manager was Giovanni Trapattoni and Inter finished 3rd and won the UEFA Cup. The main keeper was Walter Zenga.
In 1991-92 he spent a season with Mantova in C2. The Virgiliani got through three managers: Claudio Tobia (1-8), former Lazio player Gian Piero Ghio (9-19) and Antonio Pasinato (20-38). Mantova finished 4th and Orlandoni played 8 league games. One of his teammates was, an end of career, Paolo Beruatto (1987-1990).
In 1992-93 he played a season with Leffe in C1. He again played 8 league games under Bortolo Mutti and the Seriani finished 4th. One of his teammates was a young Filippo Inzaghi.
In 1993-94 he joined Casarano in C1. He played 22 league games under Roberto Antonelli and the "Serpi" (The Snakes) finished 7th.
In 1994-95 he started with the Pugliesi but then, after playing 1 league game, joined Pro Sesto in C1. He played 25 league games under Roberto Antonelli (1-25) and then former Lazio player, Carlo Soldo (1967-69). The Biancocelesti finished 14th.
In 1995-96 he joined Ancona in Serie B. The manager was first former Lazio keeper Massimo Cacciatori (1-35) and then Marcello Neri and the Dorici finished 19th and relegated. Orlandoni played 14 league games. He played alongside Lazio connection Gigi Corino (1991-1994).
In 1996-97 he spent a season at Foggia in Serie B, but only made one league appearance. The manager was Tarcisio Burgnich and the Satanelli finished 11th. His teammates included Lazio connections Oberdan Biagioni (1987-88) and Francesco Mancini (1995-96) who was the main keeper.
In 1997-98 he moved to Sicily and Acireale in Serie C1. The manager was former Juventus legend Antonello Cuccureddu and the Granata finished 8th. Orlandoni played 28 league games (only conceding 12 goals).
In 1998 he moved across the straits and joined Reggina (Reggio Calabria) in Serie B. The manager was Elio Giustinetti and the Reggini finished 3rd, winning promotion to Serie A. Orlandoni played 34 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Fabio Firmani (2005-09, 2009-11).
In 1999-2000 he stayed in Reggio but only until January. He played 13 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia under new manager Franco Colomba. The Amaranto eventually finished a positive 11th. His teammates included Lazio connections Alessandro Iannuzzi (1995-96, 1998-99) and Roberto Baronio (1996-97, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2005-06, 2006-08, 2009-10) plus Italian great Andrea Pirlo.
In January 2000 he joined Bologna in Serie A. The manager was Francesco Guidolin and the Rossoblu finished 12th. The main keeper was Gianluca Pagliuca and Orlandoni played 3 league games.
In 2000-01 he joined Italian champions Lazio. Lazio had Angelo Peruzzi and Luca Marchegiani so Orlandoni was clearly third choice. The manager was first Sven-Goran Eriksson and then, from January, Dino Zoff. Orlandoni played one league game when Peruzzi was sent off. The Biancocelesti finished 3rd but won the Italian Supercoppa (Inter 4-3).
In 2001 he moved on again and joined Piacenza in Serie A. He stayed four seasons with the "Papaveri" (The Poppies) finishing 12th, 16th (relegated), 8th in B and 9th. He played 64 league games and 10 in Coppa Italia. His managers were Walter Novellino, former Lazio player Andrea Agostinelli (1975-79) and then Luigi Cagni, Cagni again and finally in the fourth season Giuseppe Iachini. His teammates in Emilia included Lazio connections, Francelino Matuzalém (2008-12) and Dario Marcolin (1992-93, 1995-99, 1999-2000).
In 2005 Orlandoni joined Inter. He stayed seven seasons with the Nerazzurri as reserve keeper to first Francesco Toldo and then Júlio César or both. He only played 4 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the Champions League. It was a winning period for the "Biscione" as they won 5 Scudetti, 3 Coppa Italia's, 4 Supercoppa's, a Champions League and a World Cup for clubs. The managers were former Lazio Roberto Mancini (3 league titles), José Mourinho (2 league titles and a Champions league in the famous "triplete" season of 2010), Rafael Benitez and then Leonardo in one season and finally three in the last season, Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri and Andrea Stramaccioni. In his time with the Nerazzurri his teammates included numerous Lazio connections: Sinisa Mihajlovic (1998-2004), César (2001-06), Juan Sebastian Veron (1999-2001), Dejan Stankovic (1998-2004), Hernan Crespo (2000-02), Julio Cruz (2009-10) and Goran Pandev (2004-09).
At almost 40 he then retired.
In his youth he played 5 games for Italy U15's and 2 for Italy U18's.
After retiring he became a goalkeeper's coach. He has had spells with Inter U19's (2012-15), Fenerbahçe (2015-17), Nantes (2017-18), Fulham (2018-19), Inter (2019-20), Cagliari (2020-21) and Sassuolo (2021- present day).
Orlandoni was obviously a goalkeeper. He is 1.86 for 90 kilos and he had a strange career rarely holding down a regular first team place for long. His best years were with Reggina and Piacenza although at Inter he was part of a squad that won everything there was to win.
At Lazio he passed without much trace only playing one official game.
On a personal level he often takes part in charity events in favour of Down syndrome kids and helps out with the Capirsi Down association. This is also because his daughter Emma is affected by the syndrome.
Lazio career
Season | Seria A Appearances |
2000-01 | 1 |
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