Francesco Antonioli
Encyclopedia
Francesco Antonioli is an Italian football
er and goalkeeper
who currently plays for Cesena
. He is currently the oldest Footballer in the Serie A
.
a soft goal, allowed Sebastiano Rossi
to reclaim his starting spot.
Joining Bologna
in 1995, he was the undisputed first-choice (except in 1997–98, where he backed up Giorgio Sterchele
). In 1999 he joined Roma for 10 billion Italian lire and In 2001, he won a Scudetto with AS Roma.
In the summer of 2003, Antonioli joined U.C. Sampdoria
on a free transfer. In 2006–07, with Luca Castellazzi
's emergence between the posts, Antonioli left for former club Bologna on another free transfer.
He leads Bologna won Serie A promotion again in mid-2008.
After the end of 2008–09 season, he was released and replaced by U21 internationals Emiliano Viviano
. Antonioli then joined Serie B newcomer A.C. Cesena
in July and the club sent the former first choice Nicola Ravaglia
to lower division. He was the first choice ahead Michele Tardioli
. Antonioli was also protagonist of the club's second consecutive promotion in 2010, thus having another chance of top flight football at the age of 41 in the 2010–11 Serie A
season. The team survived from relegation battle by finished 15th and he was offered a new 1-year contract.
, but was selected in the squad of Euro 2000 as third-choice goalkeeper.
He also was an unused member of the Italian squad at the 1992 Olympic Games.
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
er and goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who currently plays for Cesena
A.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
. He is currently the oldest Footballer in the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
.
Club career
Grown as a player in the ranks of AC Milan, Antonioli was brought to the starting lineup at the start of the 1992–93 season. However, a string of mistakes, including a dreadful fumble in the Milan derby which gifted Luigi de AgostiniLuigi De Agostini
Luigi de Agostini is an Italian former football defender, who represented the Italian national football team at Euro 1988 and the 1990 FIFA World Cup....
a soft goal, allowed Sebastiano Rossi
Sebastiano Rossi
Sebastiano Rossi is a retired Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.During a 21-year professional career, he appeared in 346 Serie A games, most notably representing A.C. Milan , with which he won 12 major titles, namely five national championships and the 1994 UEFA Champions...
to reclaim his starting spot.
Joining Bologna
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
in 1995, he was the undisputed first-choice (except in 1997–98, where he backed up Giorgio Sterchele
Giorgio Sterchele
Giorgio Sterchele is a former Italian football goalkeeper.He played in his early years in Vicenza Calcio, the team of his province. He played regularly since 1991 won Serie A promotion in 1995. He conquered two promotion and in 1995 he passed to AS Roma...
). In 1999 he joined Roma for 10 billion Italian lire and In 2001, he won a Scudetto with AS Roma.
In the summer of 2003, Antonioli joined U.C. Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
on a free transfer. In 2006–07, with Luca Castellazzi
Luca Castellazzi
Luca Castellazzi is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Internazionale.-Early career:He started his career at Monza. He then spent time in Serie B, Serie C1 and Serie C2 with Padova and Pescara, before joining Brescia along with Vincenzo Mazzeo.-Brescia:Castellazzi...
's emergence between the posts, Antonioli left for former club Bologna on another free transfer.
He leads Bologna won Serie A promotion again in mid-2008.
After the end of 2008–09 season, he was released and replaced by U21 internationals Emiliano Viviano
Emiliano Viviano
Emiliano Viviano is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Internazionale.-Club career:...
. Antonioli then joined Serie B newcomer A.C. Cesena
A.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
in July and the club sent the former first choice Nicola Ravaglia
Nicola Ravaglia
Nicola Ravaglia is a Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian Serie A club A.C. Cesena.-Career:He made his debut on 2006-2007 season, and was loaned for U.S. Poggibonsi in the following season. After this loan, he was a first choice in 2008-2009. However, he was loaned again in the...
to lower division. He was the first choice ahead Michele Tardioli
Michele Tardioli
Michele Tardioli is an Italian footballer currently without a club. He spent 18 seasons at clubs of Province of Perugia and Province of Arezzo.-Biography:...
. Antonioli was also protagonist of the club's second consecutive promotion in 2010, thus having another chance of top flight football at the age of 41 in the 2010–11 Serie A
2010–11 Serie A
The 2010–11 Serie A was the 79th season since its establishment, the first under a league committee separate from Serie B. It began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 22 May 2011...
season. The team survived from relegation battle by finished 15th and he was offered a new 1-year contract.
International career
Antonioli never debuted for the senior sideItaly national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, but was selected in the squad of Euro 2000 as third-choice goalkeeper.
He also was an unused member of the Italian squad at the 1992 Olympic Games.