Alberto Di Chiara (Italian pronunciation: [alˈbɛrto di ˈkjaːra]; born 29 March 1964) is an Italian former professional footballer, who played for Roma, Reggiana, Lecce, Fiorentina, Parma and Perugia, as well as for the Italy national side, as a winger and full back. He is the younger brother of the Italian footballer Stefano Di Chiara.[1]
Quick Facts Personal information, Date of birth ...
Alberto Di Chiara|
Date of birth |
(1964-03-29) 29 March 1964 (age 60) |
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Place of birth |
Rome, Italy |
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Height |
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
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Position(s) |
Full back, winger |
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|
|
Roma |
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|
Years |
Team |
Apps |
(Gls) |
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1980–1982 |
Roma |
4 |
(0) |
---|
1982–1983 |
Reggiana |
22 |
(1) |
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1983–1986 |
Lecce |
91 |
(13) |
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1986–1991 |
Fiorentina |
142 |
(10) |
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1991–1996 |
Parma |
142 |
(5) |
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1996–1997 |
Perugia |
24 |
(0) |
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Total |
|
425 |
(29) |
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|
1985 |
Italy U21 |
2 |
(0) |
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1992–1993 |
Italy |
7 |
(0) |
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Close
A Roma youth product, he made his Serie A debut with the club during the 1980–81 Serie A season, also winning the Coppa Italia that year. After two seasons with the club, he was transferred to Serie B side Reggiana in 1982, making 22 appearances.[3]
In 1983, he was acquired by Lecce for the following season. He helped the club achieve an historic first-time promotion to Serie A during the 1984–85 season, his second year with the club. During the 1985–86 Serie A season, he played alongside his brother Stefano under manager Eugenio Fascetti.[3][4]
Between 1986 and 1991, he played with Fiorentina, collecting 122 appearances and 10 goals in Serie A over five seasons.[3] Although he was initially acquired as a winger in 1986, the club's new Brazilian manager at the time, Sebastião Lazaroni decided to deploy him as an attacking full-back or wing-back, in the mould of offensive, Brazilian attacking fullbacks, such as Djalma Santos,[5] due to Di Chiara's pace, technical ability, and his offensive style of play.[6][7] During his time at the club, he reached the 1990 UEFA Cup Final.[8]
In 1991, he joined Parma, where he remained until 1996, during one of the club's most successful periods, playing predominantly in his new full-back role under manager Nevio Scala, also achieving his first call-up to the national side. During his time at the club, he formed a notable partnership with fellow attacking full-back Antonio Benarrivo, and he won the 1991–92 Coppa Italia, the 1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup, the 1993 UEFA Super Cup, and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup, also achieving runners-up medals in the 1992 Supercoppa Italiana, the 1994 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, and in the 1995 Coppa Italia Final, as well as a third-place finish in Serie A in 1995. After leaving the club in 1996, he ended his career after a season with Perugia, retiring in 1997.[3][9][10]
Di Chiara was a consistent and offensive-minded left-footed full-back, who was capable of playing anywhere along the left flank; throughout his career, he was also used as a winger, or as a wing-back. His pace, flair, composure, stamina, technical skills, and attacking instincts enabled him to charge down the wing, beat opponents, and create chances for teammates with accurate crosses.[3][5][6][7][13]