Jonathan Bachini


Jonathan Bachini is an Italian former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

In his earlier years, Bachini was considered a promising midfielder, even making two appearances for the Italy national football team in 1998, under manager Dino Zoff; an offensive winger with good feet and goalscoring ability, he was known in particular for his speed, work-rate, strength, and stamina. Throughout his club career, Bachini played for Lecce, Udinese, Juventus FC, Brescia, Parma, and Siena, in Serie A. While at Juventus he helped them win the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
On 3 July 2001, he joined Parma from Juve as part of Gianluigi Buffon's deal. However, Bachini returned to Brescia on loan in September 2001, with Aimo Diana moved to opposite direction. The loan was renewed in June 2002. In July 2003 Brescia finally signed Bachini outright, along with Parma teammate Matuzalém.

Drug bans

On 22 September 2004 Bachini tested positive for cocaine usage while at Brescia; on 25 November 2004, he was suspended for 9 months. Following the termination of his suspension, he was acquired by Siena in 2005; in January 2006, however, Bachini's urine sample collected from the match against Lazio on 4 December 2005 tested positive for cocaine again, and as a result, he was banned for life by the Italian Football Federation as of 10 January 2006.