Antonino Asta
Encyclopedia
Antonino Asta is a former Italian football
er.
Asta, a midfielder, played mostly at the amateur level in his early footballing years. The 1994/1995 season, played with Saronno, was his first one in a professional league (Serie C2
). He then played for Monza
of Serie C1; in 1997, Asta signed for Torino
of Serie B
, where he became a fan favourite and helped his team to obtain a Serie A
promotion in 1999. In January 2000, Asta was sent on loan to Napoli
of Serie B.
During the 2001/2002 season, Antonino Asta impressed many football pundits with his performances, and Italy national football team
head coach Giovanni Trapattoni
capped him and let him play during a friendly match against U.S.A.
. In 2002/2003, ambitious Serie B club Palermo
signed him on a free transfer; Asta, a key player for the team, however experienced a serious ankle injury during the last league match of the season, against Lecce
, and did not manage to recover. He retired in 2004.
After his retirement from active football, Antonino Asta has become coach of the under-16 youth squad (Allievi Nazionali) since 2005.
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.
Asta, a midfielder, played mostly at the amateur level in his early footballing years. The 1994/1995 season, played with Saronno, was his first one in a professional league (Serie C2
Serie C
The Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico , commonly known as Lega Pro , is the governing body that runs the third and fourth highest football divisions in Italy, the Prima Divisione and Seconda Divisione respectively. It also includes the sole professional club of San Marino...
). He then played for Monza
A.C. Monza Brianza 1912
Associazione Calcio Monza Brianza 1912 is an Italian football club based in Monza, Lombardy.Founded in 1912, Monza currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione group A, having last been in Serie B in 2000. Monza spent the last few years in Serie C1 and Serie C2.-History:Monza was founded on 1...
of Serie C1; in 1997, Asta signed for Torino
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
of Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
, where he became a fan favourite and helped his team to obtain a 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...
promotion in 1999. In January 2000, Asta was sent on loan to Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
of Serie B.
During the 2001/2002 season, Antonino Asta impressed many football pundits with his performances, and Italy national football team
Italy 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...
head coach Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
capped him and let him play during a friendly match against U.S.A.
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. In 2002/2003, ambitious Serie B club Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
signed him on a free transfer; Asta, a key player for the team, however experienced a serious ankle injury during the last league match of the season, against Lecce
U.S. Lecce
Unione Sportiva Lecce or simply U.S. Lecce is an Italian football club based in Lecce, Apulia who play in the Italian Serie A. After being crowned Serie B champions in 2009–10, the team successfully managed to avoid relegation in 2010-11....
, and did not manage to recover. He retired in 2004.
After his retirement from active football, Antonino Asta has become coach of the under-16 youth squad (Allievi Nazionali) since 2005.