Antonio Chimenti

Antonio Chimenti (born 30 June 1970) is an Italian retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and current goalkeeping coach of Uzbekistan national team.

Club career

S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio Chimenti began his career in the youth academy of S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio. In 1988, he was promoted to the first team. After two more seasons spent in Sambenedettese in Serie C1 and then Serie C2, he was loaned out to Tempio in the Serie C2 as well. With Tempio he managed 35 appearances as the club's starting goalkeeper. For the 1992–93 season, Chimenti was loaned out to AC Monza Brianza who played in the Serie B. Following just 4 appearances with the club, he returned to Sambenedettese for the 1993–94 season, but was sold simultaneously to Salernitana Calcio. With Sambenedettese, Chimenti made just five first team appearances.

Salernitana Calcio In August 1993, Chimenti was sold permanently to Salerno-based club, Salernitana Calcio. In his first season with Salernitana, Chimenti appeared 27 times, helping lead his team to promotion to the Serie B, from the Serie C1. During the next three seasons, Salernitana remained in Serie B, with Chimenti totaling 110 additional appearances. Following his good form, he was scouted by Franco Sensi of Serie A club, AS Roma. again on a free transfer. He was signed by the club to serve as an experienced reserve to Samir Handanovic. During his lone season in Udine, he made three appearances in the 2007–08 Serie A season. In January 2009, Chimenti transferred to Juventus on a permanent basis while Belardi did the same for Udinese. He failed to make an official appearance for the club that season, but on 14 March 2010, due to injuries sustained by Buffon and Manninger, Chimenti was included in the starting eleven in the match against AC Siena, his first game with the club since his return. Juve failed to secure the victory though, as the match ended 3–3. Chimenti also started the next two games for Juventus against Fulham in the UEFA Europa League, and UC Sampdoria in Serie A, both of which ended in defeats. In total, Chimenti made 34 appearances for Juventus.

Personal life Chimenti's father, Francesco, and uncle, Vito, were both also footballers.

Career statistics

Honours

Juventus Serie A (1): 2002–03; Runner-up (1): 2008–09 Coppa Italia Runner-up (1): 2003–04 Supercoppa Italiana (2): 2002, 2003; Runner-up (1): 2005 UEFA Champions League Runner-up (1): 2002–03