Born in Mantua (), Lombardy, Girelli started his professional career at nearby Emilia team Parma (about 55 km away). Girelli was the member of Parma's Primavera under-20 team. In 2003–04 Serie A, Girelli took no.2 shirt of the first team which vacated by Aimo Diana. Girelli was named in the B squad for 2003–04 UEFA Cup and received a call-up against Venezia in 2003–04 Coppa Italia.