Claude BATTISTELLA

Claude Battistella hailed from the Alsace region in the East of France, and made his footballing debut in his hometown, playing for Colmar. He turned professional in 1945, when Colmar were playing in the Second Division. He remained there until 1948, having achieved promotion with them to the First Division with a second-placed finish in the second tier of French football. Dependable in attack, he was signed by Stade Rennais, with whom he would spend two seasons. Whilst he was first-choice at the beginning of the 1948/1949 season, he would progressively find himself relegated to the bench, mainly down to a lack of efficiency in front of goal, and the fierce competition for places. The following season resembled his first, but he would still have more appearances to his name thanks to his versatility, able to play as an attacker and midfielder. During his time with Rennes, he would get a couple of caps for the French Military team. He left Stade Rennais University Club in 1950 to sign for RC Strasbourg, where he had some success, winning the French Cup in 1951 (3-0 victory over Valenciennes in the Final). His next stop would be Monaco, with whom he achieved promotion to the First Division in 1953. After that, he returned to Strasbourg for the 1955/1956 season, before ending his career with Grenoble in the Second Division.