Raoul Bellanova

Raoul Bellanova (born 17 May 2000) is an Italian footballer who plays as a right back for Atalanta, on loan from Bordeaux. 

Early life 
He was born in Rho, in the province of Milan on 17 May 2000. 

Club career 
He started playing at age 4, for Azzurra.  In 2005 he moved to FC Parabiago, and in 2006 his contract was bought by the Milan youth team.  From 2006 to 2019, Bellanova played for teams of various age groups at A.C. Milan's youth academy. 

In January 2019, after failing to negotiate a desired wage, he declined a professional contract offer from Milan, opting to sign for Bordeaux instead.  At the request of Milan's management, he agreed to finish the season with the club's youth team. 

In July 2019, Bellanova was officially presented as Bordeaux player with a contract valid through June 2023.  On 10 August 2019, he made his debut in senior football, playing as a starting right back in 4-2-3-1 formation against Angers SCO in the opening game of Ligue 1 2019/20 season.  Having made several positioning mistakes that led to three goals from his right flank, he was subbed off 63 minutes into the game by the team's coach Paulo Sousa. 

On 30 January 2020, he joined Atalanta on a 1.5-year loan with an option to purchase. 

International career 

In October 2017 he played in the European Under-19 qualifiers, He debuted on 4 October 2017, against Moldova, The match ended 0-4 for Italy.  In November 2018 he took part in the Italian Under-20 team, against Germany. 

Style of play 

Bellanova is a physically strong, quick, fast, offensive-minded right back with good defensive positioning and reading of the game. 
Besides his regular position of a full back on the right flank, he can also play as a center back (in both, three and four-player defense line) or a wide midfielder in 3-5-2 formation. 

References

External links 
 
 Raoul Bellanova at Calcio.com

Category:Living people
Category:2000 births
Category:People from Lombardy
Category:Italian footballers
Category:Italy youth international footballers
Category:Association football fullbacks
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Ligue 1 players
Category:FC Girondins de Bordeaux players
Category:Atalanta B.C. players
Category:Italian expatriate footballers
Category:Expatriate footballers in France