Alessandro Diamanti

Alessandro Diamanti (Italian pronunciation: [alesˈsandro djaˈmanti, – di.a-];[2][3] born 2 May 1983) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Western United.[4] At club level, he has previously played for Prato, Empoli, Fucecchio, Fiorentina, AlbinoLeffe, West Ham United, Brescia, Bologna, Guangzhou Evergrande, Watford, Atalanta, Palermo, Perugia and Livorno.

Alessandro Diamanti
Diamanti with Italy
Personal information
Full name Alessandro Diamanti[1]
Date of birth (1983-05-02) 2 May 1983
Place of birth Prato, Italy
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Western United
Number 23
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2007 Prato 59 (18)
2000–2001 → Empoli (loan) 0 (0)
2001–2002 → Fucecchio (loan) 24 (3)
2003 → Fiorentina (loan) 3 (0)
2004–2006 AlbinoLeffe 26 (0)
2007–2009 Livorno 59 (17)
2009–2010 West Ham United 28 (7)
2010–2011 Brescia 32 (6)
2011–2014 Bologna 83 (19)
2014–2016 Guangzhou Evergrande 24 (4)
2015 → Fiorentina (loan) 11 (2)
2015–2016 → Watford (loan) 3 (0)
2016 → Atalanta (loan) 16 (1)
2016–2017 Palermo 31 (1)
2018 Perugia 13 (2)
2018–2019 Livorno 32 (10)
2019– Western United 27 (8)
National team‡
2010–2013 Italy 17 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 August 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2013

At international level, he represented Italy at UEFA Euro 2012, winning a runners-up medal, and at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, winning a bronze medal.

Club career

Prato

Diamanti spent his early career with Prato, Empoli, Florentia and AlbinoLeffe.

Livorno

Having scored 15 goals in 31 outings during the 2006–07 season, Diamanti signed for Serie A side Livorno.[5] He made 14 starts and 12 substitute appearances in his first season with the Tuscany side.[6] He stayed with Livorno when they were relegated to Serie B due to finishing last in the 2007–08 Serie A.

On 23 August 2009, Diamanti played in Livorno's opening day fixture in Serie A, a 0–0 home draw against Cagliari.[7]

Diamanti at West Ham

West Ham United

The following week, however, Diamanti signed a five-year deal with Premier League club West Ham United for an undisclosed fee.[8] He made his debut in the Hammers' 1–0 defeat away to Wigan Athletic on 12 September. In the process, Diamanti became the 800th player in West Ham United's history.[9] He scored his first West Ham goal from the penalty spot, albeit controversially as he fell over on run up and kicked the ball with both feet, on his home debut against Liverpool on 19 September 2009.[10] Diamanti scored eight goals, though only three came from open play with most coming from penalty kicks. On 4 May 2010, he was voted runner-up as Hammer of the Year by the club's supporters, for the 2009–10 season, behind winner Scott Parker.[11]

Brescia

On 24 August 2010, Serie A club Brescia bought Diamanti for €2.2 million from West Ham with an additional €300,000 to be paid if Brescia secured their Serie A status for the coming campaign.[12] Brescia also announced in its financial report that Diamanti had cost the club €3.85 million.[13]

Alessandro was unveiled at Brescia on 25 August 2010 and chose to continue wearing the number 32 shirt.[14] Due to his popularity, ability and playing style, comparisons were drawn between Diamanti and former club icon Roberto Baggio, which Diamanti played down, however.[15] In his debut season at Brescia, Diamanti scored six Serie A goals, behind only Andrea Caracciolo as the club's top scorer for the domestic season. Diamanti's sixth goal came in a 2–1 loss against Catania which confirmed Brescia's relegation to Serie B, just one season after promotion to the top-flight.[16]

In July 2011, West Ham called for Diamanti's registration at Brescia to be suspended by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) claiming the latest instalment of his €2.2 million transfer fee from Brescia had not yet been paid.[17][18]

Bologna

On 1 August 2011, Diamanti was signed by Serie A side Bologna in a co-ownership deal with Brescia, for €1.5 million.[19][20][21] Diamanti's first goal for the club came in a 3–1 home defeat to Internazionale on 24 September.[22] On 11 December, Bologna played host to Inter's cross–city rivals Milan; Diamanti played inspired football and provided an assist for Marco Di Vaio's opening goal and then netted a 73rd-minute goal to earn his side a 2–2 draw.[23]

Diamanti scored the winning goal of a 3–1 away victory over Lazio on 11 March 2012 with a 30-yard strike over out-of-position goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.[24] On 12 April, Diamanti scored an incredible free-kick against Cagliari to move his side up to 40 points and six points clear of the relegation zone.[25]

On 16 September 2012, Diamanti scored in between strikes from Alberto Gilardino to help Bologna to a 3–2 comeback victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.[26] Diamanti put the finishing touches on a comfortable 3–0 defeat of Palermo on 18 November, netting from the penalty spot in the 48th minute.[27]

On 2 December, Diamanti netted from a free-kick as Bologna earned a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Atalanta, courtesy of a second-half goal from teammate Manolo Gabbiadini.[28] Two weeks later, on 16 December, Diamanti proved instrumental in Bologna's surprise 3–2 defeat of high-flying Napoli, providing the free-kick from which Daniele Portanova headed in a minute from time to secure the victory.[29]

During the 2012–13 Serie A season, Diamanti was the most fouled player in Serie A, having been fouled 147 times.[30]

Guangzhou Evergrande

On 7 February 2014, Bologna and Guangzhou Evergrande officially announced an agreement over transferring Diamanti to Guangzhou Evergrande with a transfer fee of €6.9 million.[31] He made his debut appearance for Guangzhou in a 4–2 win over Melbourne Victory on 26 February 2014 in the first group match of the 2014 Asian Champions League. He scored twice to change the course of the match after Guangzhou lagged 2–0 in the first half.[32] He made his CSL debut at the CSL's opening match at Tianhe Stadium on 8 March 2014; he did not score a goal, and was substituted off the pitch in the 67th minute.

Fiorentina (loan)

On 10 January 2015, Diamanti moved to Fiorentina on loan from Guangzhou Evergrande.[33] He scored his first goal for the club on 8 February in a 3–2 win over Atalanta.[34]

Watford (loan)

On 17 August 2015, Diamanti signed for English Premier League club Watford, on loan from Guangzhou Evergrande, subject to international clearance.[35][36]

Atalanta (loan)

On 13 January 2016, Diamanti signed a season-long loan with Atalanta.[37] He scored his first goal for the club on 20 March in a 2–0 win over former club Bologna.[38]

Palermo

On 29 August 2016, free agent Diamanti joined Palermo on a two-year deal.[39] After the club's relegation at the end of the 2016–17 Serie A season, however, he cancelled his contract with the club on 31 August 2017.[40]

Western United

On 24 July 2019, Diamenti joined new A-League club Western United on a one-year marquee deal.[4][41] Diamanti was also named as the club's inaugural captain ahead of the 2019–20 A-League season.[42] At the end of the season he won the Johnny Warren Medal as the best player of the year.[43]

International career
Diamanti (centre/blue) playing in the Euro 2012 quarter-final with Ashley Cole (left) and Steven Gerrard (right) of England

Diamanti made his debut with the Italy national team on 17 November 2010, for manager Cesare Prandelli, in a friendly match against Romania.[44] He played only the first half of his debut game before being substituted.[45] In May 2012, he was named in the provisional, 32-man Italian squad for UEFA Euro 2012[46] and came on as a substitute in the final group match against the Republic of Ireland on 18 June 2012, setting up Mario Balotelli's goal from a corner as Italy won the match 2–0 to advance to the quarter-finals.[47] In the quarter-final against England on 24 June 2012, Diamanti came on in the second half for Antonio Cassano and scored the winning penalty to give Italy a 4–2 penalty shoot-out win.[48]

Diamanti was selected for Italy's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.[49] He scored one goal at the tournament, from a free kick in the bronze medal game against Uruguay, his first international goal; he was also involved in Davide Astori's opening goal, as the latter scored off the rebound after Diamanti's free kick had hit the crossbar. Italy went on to win the match 3–2 on penalties following a 2–2 deadlock after extra time.[50][51]

Style of play

Nicknamed "Alino",[52] Diamanti is a dynamic, creative and technically gifted left-footed playmaker, who usually plays as an attacking midfielder; he has also been deployed as a winger or as a supporting striker on occasion, due to his ability to both create chances for teammates, and score goals with his accurate striking ability from outside the area, despite his lack of pace. He is predominantly known for his vision, passing, crossing, control, and dribbling ability, as well as his accuracy from penalties; he is also a set-piece specialist, known for his delivery from dead ball situations, as well as his precise curling direct free kicks, and has even scored directly from corner kicks throughout his career.[53][54][55][56][57] In addition to his flair and playing ability, he is also known for his charismatic personality, tenacity, and leadership on the pitch;[58] moreover, he is a player who wins a lot of fouls for his team.[30]

Personal life

Diamanti's wife, Silvia Hsieh, is Taiwanese.[59] They married on 6 July 2008.[60] On 18 December 2008, Silvia gave birth to their daughter, Aileen.[61] On 17 July 2010, Silvia gave birth to a second girl, named Olivia.[62] On 8 March 2013, the couple's third child, a boy named Taddeo, was born.[63]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 5 May 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Prato 1999–00 Serie C2 1000——10
Empoli (loan) 2000–01 Serie B 0000——00
Prato 2001–02 Serie C2 0010——10
Fucecchio (loan) 2001–02 Serie D 24300——243
Prato 2002–03 Serie C1 2030——50
Fiorentina (loan) 2002–03 Serie C2 3000——30
Prato 2003–04 Serie C1 20430—20254
AlbinoLeffe 2004–05 Serie B 18010——190
2005–06 8000——80
Total 260100000270
Prato 2005–06 Serie C2 11400—21135
2006–07 251065——3115
Total 591813500417624
Livorno 2007–08 Serie A 26410——274
2008–09 Serie B 321334—433920
2009–10 Serie A 1000——10
West Ham United 2009–10 Premier League 27721——298
2010–11 1000——10
Total 287210000308
Brescia 2010–11 Serie A 32611——337
Bologna 2011–12 30721——328
2012–13 34721——368
2013–14 19511——206
Total 83195300008822
Guangzhou 2014 Super League 2442094—358
Fiorentina (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 11240——152
Total 142400000182
Watford (loan) 2015–16 Premier League 3000——30
Atalanta (loan) 2015–16 Serie A 16100——161
Palermo 2016–17 31110——321
Perugia 2017–18 Serie B 13200—10142
Livorno 2018–19 321010——3310
Total 912754004310034
Career total 4449034149494496112

International

[64]

Italy national team
YearAppsGoals
201010
201270
201391
Total171
Scores and results lists Italy's goals first[64]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.30 June 2013Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil Uruguay2–12–2 (3–2 p)2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

Honours

Club

Fiorentina

Livorno[65]

Guangzhou Evergrande[65]

International

Italy[65]

Individual

References
  1. "Comunicato Ufficiale N. 75" [Official Press Release No. 75] (PDF). Lega Serie A. 8 November 2016. p. 3. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. Luciano Canepari. "Alessandro". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  3. Luciano Canepari. "Diamanti". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  4. "Western United seal Diamanti deal". FTBL. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  5. "Nuovo acquisto per l´A.S. Livorno Calcio" (in Italian). AS Livorno Calcio. 9 July 2007. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  6. "Gazzetta.it". Gazzetta.it. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  7. "Livorno vs. Cagliari". www.soccerway.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  8. "West Ham confirm Diamanti signing". BBC Sport. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  9. "Latics take the spoils". West Ham United F.C. 12 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  10. "West Ham 2–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  11. "A quartet of happy Hammers". 5 May 2010. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  12. "Diamanti departs". West Ham United FC. 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  13. Brescia Calcio Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
  14. "Diamanti was introduced". Brescia Calcio. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010. (italian)
  15. "Brescia, ecco Diamanti: "Ma non sono Baggio"" (in Italian). Il Corriere dello Sport. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  16. "Report: Brescia v Catania – Italian Serie A – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  17. "BBC Sport – Football – West Ham United demand Alessandro Diamanti suspension". BBC News. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  18. "Statement on Brescia Calcio". Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  19. Bologna FC 1909 Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
  20. "Ufficiale: Diamanti ceduto al Bologna". Brescia Calcio. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011. (italian)
  21. "Diamanti joins Bologna". FIFA.com. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  22. "Bologna vs. Internazionale – Football Match Report – September 24, 2011 – ESPN". ESPNFC.com.
  23. "Bologna vs. AC Milan – Football Match Report – December 11, 2011 – ESPN". ESPNFC.com.
  24. "Lazio vs. Bologna – Football Match Report – March 11, 2012 – ESPN". ESPNFC.com.
  25. "Bologna vs. Cagliari – Football Match Report – April 12, 2012 – ESPN". ESPNFC.com.
  26. "AS Roma 2–3 Bologna". ESPNFC. 16 September 2012.
  27. "Bologna 3–0 Palermo". ESPNC. 18 November 2012.
  28. "Bologna 2–1 Atalanta". ESPNFC. 2 December 2012.
  29. "Napoli 2–3 Bologna". ESPNFC. 16 December 2012.
  30. Piantanida, Franco (21 May 2013). "La Serie A supera quota mille gol e Cavani è il suo "matador"". Il Sole 24 Ore (in Italian). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  31. "恒大官方宣布迪亚曼蒂加盟". sohu.com. 7 February 2014.
  32. "Melbourne Victory throws away two-goal lead in 4–2 ACL loss to Guangzhou Evergrande". Fox Sports. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  33. "ViolaChannel – Diamanti joins Fiorentina". en.violachannel.tv.
  34. Fiorentina-Atalanta 3–2: Diamanti-gol ma decide Pasqual all'89' gazzetta.it
  35. "OFFICIAL: Diamanti Transfer Completed". Watford FC. 17 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  36. "Alessandro Diamanti: Watford sign ex-Italy and West Ham midfielder". BBC Sport. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  37. "Official: Atalanta loan Diamanti". Football Italia. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  38. Atalanta-Bologna, Gomez e Diamanti decidono il match gazzetta.it
  39. "Official: Palermo sign Diamanti". Football Italia. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  40. "RISOLUZIONE CONSENSUALE PER DIAMANTI" (in Italian). palermocalcio.it. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  41. "Signing news: ex-Italian international Diamanti joins Western United FC". Hyundai A-League. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  42. "Western United announces inaugural captain ahead of club's Hyundai A-League debut". Western United. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  43. "Western United's Alessandro Diamanti wins A-League's Johnny Warren Medal".
  44. "Prandelli picks Ledesma and Diamanti in Italy squad to face Romania". footballitaliano.co.uk. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  45. "Mario Balotelli suffers racist abuse from Italy and Romania fans". London: The Guardian.co.uk. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  46. "Mario Balotelli in Italy's provisional squad for Euro 2012". London: BBC Sport.com. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  47. "Italy 2–0 Ireland". BBC Sport.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  48. "England 0 – 0 Italy (FT 90 +42) – Italy win 4–2 on penalties". London: BBC Sport.com. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  49. "Barzagli in as Prandelli names Confeds squad". Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  50. "Uruguay 2–2 Italy". BBC Sport.com. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  51. "Buffon stars as Italy win shootout & bronze". FIFA.com. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  52. "Alessandro Diamanti: "Ci vediamo dopo la sosta"" (in Italian). Bologna FC 1909. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  53. Morrone, Jimmy (5 June 2009). "Quello che fa i tiri mancini". Il Tirreno (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  54. Voakes, Kris (25 June 2012). "The unorthodox rise of Diamanti, Italy's penalty hero". Goal.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  55. Bernini, Alessandro (8 February 2009). "A Livorno diluvia: acqua e gol a catinelle". Il Tirreno (in Italian). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  56. Bernini, Alessandro (29 October 2008). "Livorno, due diamanti di Diamanti valgono il pareggio ad Ancona". Il Tirreno (in Italian). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  57. "Italian Star". The Sunday Times. 21 July 2019. p. 54.
  58. "Diamanti, un nuovo leader per Montella" (in Italian). Viola News. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  59. "Alessandro Diamanti". www.daylife.com. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  60. Diamanti-Hsieh sposi ricerca.quotidianiespresso.it
  61. Diamanti papà, è il suo gol più bello ricerca.quotidianiespresso.it
  62. "È nata anche Olivia, la mia seconda figlia" ricerca.quotidianiespresso.it
  63. Benvenuto Taddeo bolognafc.it
  64. "Diamanti, Alessandro" (in Italian). FIGC.
  65. "A. Diamanti". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  66. "PFA announce A-League team of the season". The World Game. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.