 Originally from Solagna, Nervo began his career with the G.S.R.Solagna Youth System, before moving to Bassano Virtus, where he made his professional debut in 1988 after developing further in the club's Youth System.After brief periods with Monza and Cittadella, he moved to Mantova in 1992, spending two seasons with the club, helping the club to the Serie C2 title in his first season, and earning promotion to Serie C1.