Developed in the Varese youth system, he made his Serie A debut with the red-and-whites in the 1974–75 season. He later played for Milanese, Messina, Varese once again, Chieti, and Marsala, before arriving at Spezia after a stint with Prato.
A classic number 10 with silken touch and exquisite technique, a model professional, he became one of the defining figures of Spezia’s best seasons of the 1980s and is remembered above all for his moments of pure class and decisive goals. Chief among them was the strike against Pistoiese in a Picco packed to the rafters, a goal that sealed promotion to Serie C1.
He made his Spezia debut in Asti–Spezia (0–1) on September 22, 1985, and immediately began to delight fans with his magic and his assists. The Aquilotti burst out of the gates—their first defeat didn’t come until matchday 13—while “the professor” calmly dispensed his wisdom on the pitch.
Deadly from the penalty spot, he scored against Carbonia and Derthona, then struck twice against Civitavecchia—one from open play and one from the spot—for his first brace. He was decisive at the Porta Elisa, netting the final 2–2 equalizer, and also beat the goalkeepers of Asti and Savona, again from the spot.
Then it was as if he saved himself for June 1. In the 60th minute, he left Riccettelli standing with a shot into the top corner, made it 2–2 against Pistoiese, and carried Spezia into Serie C1.
He was even better the following season, helping prevent the collapse of a team first entrusted to Ventura and then to Carpanesi. He scored 10 goals to finish as the club’s top scorer, with braces against Virescit and SPAL (one a penalty), and crucial goals versus Fano, Carrarese, and Legnano—once again from the spot.
His ice-cold composure from the penalty mark is forever etched in Spezia–Mantova, when the Aquilotti snatched a vital last-minute draw in a relegation battle. He also scored against Ancona, then produced one final surge of brilliance by delivering the decisive two points against Reggiana on May 24, three rounds from the end of the season.
Carpanesi built his team around Ferretti as its guiding light, finishing sixth and qualifying for the elite Coppa Italia. He opened the scoring against Reggiana, just as he had closed the previous season—this time from the penalty spot, for the only goal of the first leg. In the return match he scored five times, earning a reputation as a “Cesarini-zone” specialist, proof of his unshakable clarity of mind: SPAL in the 91st minute, Fano in the 88th from the spot, Lucchese in the 85th (after an unfortunate own goal), Virescit in the 71st, and the final one, fittingly, early in the match at Pavia.
He left at the end of the season, and it was a real shame. The club chose to invest in the young and talented Ceccaroni. But he departed leaving behind memories, and more than a few regrets.