An agile and technically gifted centre-forward, with a powerful right-footed shot, although he was a prolific goalscorer, he was also a highly versatile player, who was capable of playing in a creative role as a second striker or attacking midfielder, in deeper midfield positions, or as a defender, in addition to his usual position of forward.

After being dropped from the Inter Youth Side, Pivatelli was acquired by Verona in 1950, with whom he made his Serie B debut at the age of 17, scoring his first professional goal in his second appearance with the club, in a 4–1 victory over Vicenza.

After joining Bologna in 1953, he made his Serie A debut with the club on 13 September 1953, in a 2–1 home win over Atalanta.

He made his senior international debut for Italy on 30 March 1955, at the age of 22, wearing the number 10 shirt, and scoring the match-winning goal in a 2–1 friendly away victory over reigning World Champions West Germany, in Stuttgart.

He scored his second international goal against Portugal on 22 December 1957, in a 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.