Early career Starting his career at
AC Milan's
youth system, Brocchi was loaned to
Pro Sesto and
Lumezzane in the early years. After struggling to find space in the first team, Brocchi was sold to
Serie B side
Hellas Verona in 1998. He helped the club obtain promotion to
Serie A.
Inter Milan After a year in the top division,
Inter Milan coach
Marcello Lippi signed Brocchi in 2000. However, Brocchi and Inter endured a difficult season, as Lippi was sacked after their opening
Serie A match, a defeat to
Reggina.
Marco Tardelli was hired as Lippi's replacement, and he guided the
Nerazzurri to a fifth-place finish in Serie A. The following season, new Inter manager
Héctor Cúper decided to sell Brocchi. Brocchi later described his time at Inter "as the worst experience [he] ever had", citing the lack of support from the club while injured.
AC Milan (second spell) In July 2001, Milan re-signed him in exchange for
Andrés Guglielminpietro, who joined Inter. While at Milan, Brocchi had to compete with the likes of
Fernando Redondo,
Gennaro Gattuso,
Andrea Pirlo,
Massimo Ambrosini, and later
Clarence Seedorf.
Fiorentina Brocchi was loaned to
Fiorentina in July 2005, with a view to a permanent deal at the end of
the season. However, at the end of 2005–06, he returned to Milan, partly as a result of the problems Milan faced in finding new recruits due to the
2006 Italian football scandal.
AC Milan (third spell) Brocchi made a career high 29 Serie A appearances in the
2006–07 season. Although
Emerson arrived in the
2007–08, Brocchi continued to appear regularly making 24 appearances, 10 as starter, effectively becoming manager
Carlo Ancelotti's first choice replacement in midfield.
Lazio Milan and
Lazio reached an agreement for a permanent transfer for Brocchi on 29 August 2008. He signed a three-year deal with Lazio and just cost Lazio a nominal transfer fee. His first season was successful as he won the
Coppa Italia, Lazio's fifth Coppa Italia title. Following the
2012–13 season, Brocchi and Lazio announced his retirement due to ongoing injury problems. ==International career==