Rufo Emiliano Verga was born in Legnano (Milan) on December 21 1969.
He started playing football for his hometown's youth sector and then joined Milan's.
In 1987-88 he was added to Milan's first team squad. Milan won the Scudetto under Arrigo Sacchi and Verga played 3 league games.
In 1988-89 he moved to Parma on loan. The Ducali were in Serie B and the manager was Giampiero Vitali. The Gialloblu finished 9th and Verga played 17 league games with 2 goals (Barletta, Catanzaro) and 5 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1989-90 he was back at Milan. Sacchi was still manager and the Rossoneri finished 2nd but won the Champions League (Benfica 1-0), UEFA Super Cup (Barcelona 2-1 on aggregate) and the Intercontinental Cup (Atlético Nacional de Medellín 1-0). Verga however played no games in any competition.
In 1990-91 he signed for Bologna. It was a bad season for the Rossoblu which ended in relegation but Verga at least played 26 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia and 8 in the UEFA Cup. Bologna reached the quarter finals of the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup. The manager was initially Franco Scoglio and then, from November onwards, Luigi Radice. It was in Bologna that Verga started having physical problems, in particular with his knees.
In 1991-92 Verga joined Lazio. The manager was Dino Zoff and the Biancocelesti finished 10th. Verga only played 6 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.
In 1992 he joined Fiorentina but only played 4 league games before leaving in the autumn for Venezia on loan.
The Venetians were in Serie B and the manager was Alberto Zaccheroni (1-23), Pietro Maroso (24-29) and then Zaccheroni again (30-38). The Arancioneroverdi finished 11th and Verga played 19 league games.
In 1993 he was back at Milan but did not stay long as he soon joined Lecce in Serie A. The Salentini were relegated in 18th place. The manager was first Nedo Sonetti (1-11) and then Rino Marchesi (12-34) and Verga played 14 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included former Lazio, Franco Marchegiani (1989-91).
At 25 Verga then retired. He had undergone four operations on his knees and could no longer continue.
In his youth he had played 16 games for Italy U21's and 6 games for the Italian Olympic team, in Barcelona 1992. In 1992 he won the U21's European Championship in Spain.
Verga was a defender mainly a central defender. He was a promising player in his youth and Milan thought he had a great future ahead of him. His body however, especially his knees, had other ideas and let him down, denying him the career expected from him. In the end he only played 53 games in Serie A.
At Lazio he only stayed one season and, in the capital too, injuries limited his appearances and performances.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1991-92 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
Sources
Comments