A determined and physically powerful player, Crippa began his playing career during the 1981–82 season, with A.C. Meda Mobil, in the Prima Categoria, where he spent two seasons in the first squad. He later moved to play in the Eccellenza Lombardy - the sixth tier of Italian club football - with FBC Saronno for two seasons before moving to his hometown club, Seregno. His performances earned him a move to nearby Serie C2 club Paviain the summer of 1986. After only one season with the club, he moved to Torino in Serie A. In the 1987–88 season he scored three goals for the Turin club in 29 league appearances. Crippa left Torino in the summer of 1988 to join Napoli. Playing behind Diego Maradona, who was at the peak of his abilities, Crippa joined a strong midfield that also included Alemão, Fernando De Napoli and Francesco Romano. In his first season with the club, Crippa helped Napoli to finish second in Serie A and to win the UEFA Cup, beating VfB Stuttgart in the final. He helped Napoli to fend off the challenge of A.C. Milan to win the Scudetto in the following season. He scored a goal as Napoli defeated Juventus 5–1 in the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana. Crippa moved to Parma in the summer of 1993 and in his first season he was part of the team that won the UEFA Super Cup over two legs against A.C. Milan. Parma lost the first leg, played at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, 0–1, but won the second leg 2–0 with Crippa scoring the decisive goal in extra time. Crippa won his second UEFA Cup at the end of the 1994–95 season as Parma defeated Juventus 2–1 on aggregate. Parma had finished second behind Juventus in that season's Serie A, and would do so again in the 1995–96 season. Crippa was part of Parma's first ever Champions Leaguecampaign during the 1997–98 season. In 1998, Crippa returned to Torino, who were playing in Serie B; the team were promoted in his first season back at the club. He returned to the Eccellenza Lombardy in 2000 with Canzese playing until 2002. He finished his career in 2003 playing for Seregno, the club of his city.
International career
After playing for the under-21 team, Crippa went on to make 17 appearances for Italy between 1988 and 1996. He made his debut in a 2–0 home win over Scotland on 22 December 1988, and he scored his only international goal in a 3–1 friendly win against Turkey on December 14, 1994. Crippa also represented Italy at two Olympic Games: Seoul 1988, and Atlanta 1996, under manager Cesare Maldini. He scored the decisive goal in the 2–1 quarter-final victory against Sweden at the 1988 Olympics, as Italy reached the semi-finals, eventually finishing the tournament in fourth place.
Style of play
A hard-working and physically strong team-player, Crippa was known for his dedication, power, tenacity and stamina on the pitch, which enabled him to excel as a ball-winner in midfield and support his more creative and offensive-minded teammates.
Managerial career
Crippa was appointed the sporting director of Renate in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione in the summer of 2010, a position which he currently holds.
