Fulvio Collovati represents yet another outstanding product of the great Italian defensive school, and remains, to this day, a remarkably underrated player. Overshadowed by flashier names and by the tactical evolution of later years, he was in reality a defender of clear international calibre, far more modern than he is often remembered.

Nominally deployed as a right back or as a stopper during his career, Collovati was in essence a modern central defender well ahead of his time. His game was built on positional intelligence, anticipation and defensive clarity rather than brute force or reckless aggression. He read situations early, rarely needed to recover desperately, and relied on timing and positioning to neutralise attackers.

In one-on-one defending he was excellent. His marking was tight but controlled, his body orientation intelligent, and his reactions sharp. Aerially, he was extremely strong, combining timing, courage and confidence, which made him reliable both in open play and on set pieces. He played with security and calm, projecting authority without needing theatrics.

Collovati reached his prime very early at Milan, where he was considered the natural heir to Roberto Rosato, a comparison that underlines both his defensive purity and his tactical discipline. Even as a young player, he displayed maturity, continuity and leadership traits uncommon at that age. Later, despite the obvious symbolic weight of the rivalry, he also performed well for Inter, confirming that his quality was not system-dependent.

Physically, he was well balanced rather than overwhelming. He did not rely on raw pace or excessive physicality, but on reading the game and choosing the correct intervention. This made him particularly consistent over time, with few dramatic highs and lows in performance.

His international career further validates his level. Collovati was a regular starter for Italy at the 1982 World Cup, delivering strong and reliable performances throughout the tournament in a defensively demanding context. He later lost his place to Pietro Vierchowod, a defender with different physical characteristics, but this change reflected tactical preference rather than a decline in Collovati’s level.