Josip Iličić

Lore & Background

Iličić began his professional career with Slovenian club Bonifika, later also playing for Maribor in his home country, before moving to Italy in 2010 to join Palermo. In 2013, he signed for Fiorentina, and subsequently for Atalanta in 2017. After spending twelve years in Italy, Iličić returned to Maribor in 2022. He enjoyed his best time as a professional footballer with Atalanta, scoring eleven or more league goals in each of his first three years at the club, and was awarded a spot in the 2018–19 Serie A Team of the Year.

He became the first player to ever score four away goals in a UEFA Champions League knockout match, doing so against Valencia in 2020, which also made him the oldest player to score four goals at this stage of the competition. Iličić made his senior debut for the Slovenia national team in August 2010, in a friendly match against Australia. Three years after his debut, in September 2013, he scored his first international goal against Cyprus. Overall, he earned 86 caps for Slovenia.

Reader's Guide

Iličić is a predominantly left-footed player capable of playing as a second striker, wide midfielder, winger on either flank, or attacking midfielder. He is known for his powerful and accurate striking, technique, dribbling, creativity, physical strength, leadership, and instinctive play. He is also an accurate set piece and penalty taker, and an excellent playmaker.

Did You Know?

• Iličić scored four goals in a 2019–20 Champions League round of 16 match against Valencia, becoming the first player to score four away goals in a knockout match in the competition.
• He was the oldest player to score four goals in a single Champions League match at the time, at 32 years and 41 days.
• Iličić scored a hat-trick, including a free kick from the halfway line, in a 7–0 victory over Torino on 25 January 2020.
• He was nominated for the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2019–20.