 Squillaci began the 1997–98 season playing on the club's reserve team.Following the firing of Albert Emon mid-season, he was replaced with Dalger.In March 1998, Dalger, subsequently, called up Squillaci to the first team and he made his professional debut on 7 March 1998 in a 1–0 league win over Nice appearing as a substitute for Victor Agali.