Guardigli, born in Livorno on 4 November 1893, had a turbulent academic career due to serious family bereavements and the disruption of the war. In the academic year 1911–12 he enrolled in the two-year Science preparatory course for Engineering at the University of Bologna, during which he succeeded in obtaining a grant from the "A. Massi" Study Foundation of Forlimpopoli; he subsequently continued his studies in Physics. In 1916 he requested a transfer certificate in order to move to the University of Modena, but in the academic year 1917–18 he re-enrolled in the third year of Chemistry in Bologna. In 1918 he transferred to the University of Rome, in order to undergo a prolonged course of treatment at the military hospital where he had been admitted.
Guardigli began his playing career at Itala Firenze, before moving to Firenze FC and eventually joining Bologna. A versatile player, he spent his first two seasons as a goalkeeper and the following two as a full-back, prior to the Great War, in which he served and attained the rank of artillery lieutenant. In 1912, in Vercelli, he was part of the combined side that faced the Italian national team in its first training match in preparation for the upcoming match against Austria. He made 21 appearances for Bologna FC in the Championship from1911 to 1915.
CAPTIONS
1 - Bologna FC line-up in the 1911-12 season.
2 - Enrico Guardigli.
3 - Request to take the exams in Descriptive Geometry and Infinitesimal Calculus during his third year in Physics, 16 March 1914.
4 - Request for transfer to the University of Rome, 4 February 1918.