Federico Rossi was born in Bologna on 12 March 1900. In 1919, he enrolled in a two-year preparatory course in Engineering at the University of Bologna. In 1922, he transferred to the Royal Polytechnic of Turin for a few months, before returning to the Royal School of Engineering in his hometown and completing his academic studies with a degree in Civil Engineering on 21 December 1922.
A promising defender for Bologna's reserve team, Rossi made his debut in the top flight at the age of fourteen. He also excelled in athletics and swimming. Fast and technically gifted, his sporting career was soon interrupted by the world war, but he went on to play another four seasons, becoming one of the Sterlino pitch crowd's favourites. He made 72 appearances and scored 6 goals in red and blue in the Championship between 1914 and 1923.
CAPTIONS
1 - Bologna FC line-up in the 1921-22 season.
2 - Cover of the student file.
3 - Request for transfer from the Royal School of Engineering in Bologna to the Polytechnic University of Turin.
4 - Leave of absence form issued by the Royal Polytechnic of Turin.