Born in Catanzaro, Mauro began his playing with local side Catanzaro in 1979. He made his Serie A debut with Catanzaro on 27 April 1980, in a 3–0 home defeat to A.C. Milan; he remained there until 1982. He then went on to play with Udinese (1982–85), Juventus (1985–1989), and Napoli (1989–1993), before retiring from professional football in 1993 due to back problems at the age of 31. During his club career he won the "scudetto" twice, once with Juventus in 1986, and once with Napoli in 1990, as well as an Intercontinental Cup with Juventus in 1985, and the Supercoppa Italiana with Napoli in 1990. During his club career, Mauro was able to play alongside three of the greatest footballers of the 80s: Zico (with Udinese), Michel Platini (with Juventus), and Diego Armando Maradona (with Napoli).