Antonio Di Gennaro facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Antonio di Gennaro | ||
| Date of birth | 5 October 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Florence, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1976–1980 | Fiorentina | 44 | (5) |
| 1980–1981 | Perugia | 24 | (3) |
| 1981–1988 | Verona | 182 | (18) |
| 1988–1991 | Bari | 64 | (4) |
| 1991–1992 | Barletta | 28 | (3) |
| Total | 342 | (33) | |
| National team | |||
| 1984–1986 | Italy | 15 | (4) |
|
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Antonio di Gennaro (born October 5, 1958) is a former Italian footballer. He played as a midfielder and was known for his skill and leadership on the field.
Contents
Playing for Clubs
Antonio di Gennaro started his professional football journey at 18 with his hometown club, Fiorentina, in 1976. Even though he was very talented, it was hard for him to get a regular spot because of another star player, Giancarlo Antognoni.
Moving to Perugia and Verona
To get more playing time, Antonio moved to Perugia for the 1980–81 season. However, it was a tough year, and Perugia was moved down to a lower league (Serie B).
The next season, he joined Hellas Verona. This move changed his career! He quickly became a very important player for the team, acting as their main playmaker in the midfield.
Verona's Historic Win
Antonio helped Verona get promoted to Serie A in his first season there (1981–82). The biggest moment came in the 1984–85 season when he helped Verona win their first-ever Serie A title! This was a huge achievement for the club. In total, he played 182 games for Verona and scored 18 goals.
Time at Bari and Retirement
In 1988, Antonio joined Bari. He became the team's captain and helped them get promoted to Serie A. He also led Bari to win the Mitropa Cup in 1990. He retired in 1991 after helping Bari stay in Serie A.
Playing for Italy
Antonio di Gennaro also played for the Italy national football team. He played 15 games and scored 4 goals between 1984 and 1986. He was part of the Italian team that played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He played in all four of Italy's matches in that tournament. His first game for Italy was on November 3, 1984, against Switzerland. All his international games were played while he was with Verona.
How He Played
Antonio di Gennaro was known as a "modern" footballer. He was fast, agile, and could play in many different midfield positions. He was good at dribbling and could adapt to different situations during a game.
He was known for his:
- Speed and hard work
- Stamina (being able to play for a long time without getting tired)
- Defensive skills and winning the ball back
- Creativity and attacking skills
He could play as a defensive midfielder or a deep-lying playmaker. This was because he had great vision, good technique, and could pass the ball well. He was also a strong and accurate shooter. Besides his football skills, he was known for his leadership and good sense of humor.
After Football
After he stopped playing football, Antonio di Gennaro worked as one of the directors for his former club, Fiorentina, for a while.
Trophies and Awards
Antonio di Gennaro won some important titles during his career:
- Verona
- Bari
- Mitropa Cup: 1990
See also
In Spanish: Antonio Di Gennaro para niños
