Fabio Firmani
Encyclopedia
Fabio Firmani is an Italian
footballer who plays for Shaanxi Renhe Commercial Chanba F.C. in China
, as a midfielder
.
with A.S. Lodigiani in 1995–96, moving the following season to Vicenza Calcio
. He remained at the club for seven years, making made his Serie A
debut on 26 January 1997, in a 3–2 home win against ACF Fiorentina
, going on to collect 70 league appearances. He also scored in the quarterfinals of the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Dutch
outfit Roda JC, in a 9–1 aggregate routing.
During his time in Veneto
, Firmani headed south for a year, spending 1998–99 on loan at Reggina Calcio
, splitting the 2001–02 season with A.C. ChievoVerona
(co-ownership
with Vicenza) and Bologna F.C. 1909
. After spending the 2002–03 campaign in the Serie B
with S.S.C. Venezia, he was finally released and joined Calcio Catania
, helping them to two Serie B mid-table positions.
The following year, Firmani signed with hometown club S.S. Lazio
, replacing Juventus FC
-bound Giuliano Giannichedda
. He made a good start to his career in the capital, but suffered a serious injury in November 2005, causing him to miss to rest of the season.
On 25 November 2007, Firmani scored his first goal for the Biancocelesti against Parma F.C.
at the Stadio Olimpico
, in a 1–0 victory. The goal, which was scored in the 90th minute
, came only a week after the death of his good friend Gabriele Sandri, who was shot by a policeman, and Firmani's celebration with fans in Curva Nord earnt him the fans recognition. Due to injuries, Firmani only managed seven appearances for the season, yet scored three goals, the other two coming against U.S. Città di Palermo
and S.S.C. Napoli
.
Firmani's horror streak with injuries continued throughout the next season and he due to various injuries, he did not make a league appearance in 2008–09. He did however, receive a red card during the 1–4 home loss to Cagliari Calcio
, when he reacted to an incident involving Cagliari midfielder Daniele Conti
, son of A.S. Roma
legend Bruno
, and Goran Pandev
. He received adulation and support from the Lazio fans following the incident, due to the insipid nature of the team's performance. A popular message was then adopted by the Lazio faithful, noi vogliamo undici Firmani (we want eleven Firmanis).
Just days after his red card
against Cagliari, Firmani was requested by Lazio to accept a loan move that would help him get back to shape and return to Rome with the aim to return to his usual first team position. The club suggested some Saudi
teams, but the player instead requested he joined Al Wasl FC
in Dubai
, the United Arab Emirates
. Lazio accepted and he joined the club until the end of the season.
Firmani returned to Lazio in July 2009, starting preseason training in the northern town of Auronzo di Cadore
, trying to earn himself a place in new coach Davide Ballardini
's team. In February 2011, after being released by the club upon his request, the 33-year old joined Chinese Super League
outfit Shaanxi Chanba FC.
, but collected 10 caps
for the under-21 side
, scoring once.
He was a member of the side which won the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
, and also played Olympic football
in the same year, in Sydney
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
footballer who plays for Shaanxi Renhe Commercial Chanba F.C. in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Firmani began his career in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
with A.S. Lodigiani in 1995–96, moving the following season to Vicenza Calcio
Vicenza Calcio
Vicenza Calcio is an Italian football club based in Vicenza, Veneto. The club was formed in 1902 and currently plays in Italy's Serie B, having spent the entire 1960s and a large part of the 1990s in Serie A...
. He remained at the club for seven years, making made his 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...
debut on 26 January 1997, in a 3–2 home win against ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
, going on to collect 70 league appearances. He also scored in the quarterfinals of the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
outfit Roda JC, in a 9–1 aggregate routing.
During his time in Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
, Firmani headed south for a year, spending 1998–99 on loan at Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio are an Italian association football club, the main club of the city of Reggio Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in the Italian Serie B, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo...
, splitting the 2001–02 season with A.C. ChievoVerona
A.C. ChievoVerona
Associazione Calcio Chievo Verona is a professional Italian football club named after and based in Chievo, a suburb of 2,800 inhabitants in Verona, Veneto, and owned by Paluani, a cake company and the inspiration for their original name, Paluani Chievo...
(co-ownership
Co-ownership (football)
Co-ownership is a system whereby two football clubs own the contract of a player jointly, although the player is only registered to play for one club...
with Vicenza) and Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
. After spending the 2002–03 campaign in the 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...
with S.S.C. Venezia, he was finally released and joined Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
, helping them to two Serie B mid-table positions.
The following year, Firmani signed with hometown club S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
, replacing Juventus FC
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
-bound Giuliano Giannichedda
Giuliano Giannichedda
Giuliano Giannichedda is a former Italian footballer. He is a midfielder, but can also play as a defender. He is well known for his tackling and stamina.-Career:...
. He made a good start to his career in the capital, but suffered a serious injury in November 2005, causing him to miss to rest of the season.
On 25 November 2007, Firmani scored his first goal for the Biancocelesti against Parma F.C.
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
at the Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex on the north of the city. An asset of the Italian National Olympic Committee, the structure is intended primarily for football...
, in a 1–0 victory. The goal, which was scored in the 90th minute
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
, came only a week after the death of his good friend Gabriele Sandri, who was shot by a policeman, and Firmani's celebration with fans in Curva Nord earnt him the fans recognition. Due to injuries, Firmani only managed seven appearances for the season, yet scored three goals, the other two coming against U.S. Città di 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...
and S.S.C. 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....
.
Firmani's horror streak with injuries continued throughout the next season and he due to various injuries, he did not make a league appearance in 2008–09. He did however, receive a red card during the 1–4 home loss to Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio is an Italian football club based in Cagliari, Sardinia. The club was formed in 1920 and currently plays in Italian Serie A, having spent a large part of recent years mainly in Serie A and Serie B....
, when he reacted to an incident involving Cagliari midfielder Daniele Conti
Daniele Conti
Daniele Conti is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cagliari.He is the son of former A.S. Roma and Italy star Bruno Conti. His brother, Andrea Conti, is also a footballer, currently playing for AC Bellinzona....
, son of A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
legend Bruno
Bruno Conti
Bruno Conti is an Italian ex-football player and former coach of the Serie A club Roma from 14 March 2005 to 30 June 2005. His two sons Daniele and Andrea are both professional footballers...
, and Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev , is a Macedonian footballer who plays as a forward for Italian Serie A club Napoli on loan from Internazionale. He is also considered a key player for the Macedonian national team.-Early career:...
. He received adulation and support from the Lazio fans following the incident, due to the insipid nature of the team's performance. A popular message was then adopted by the Lazio faithful, noi vogliamo undici Firmani (we want eleven Firmanis).
Just days after his red card
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
against Cagliari, Firmani was requested by Lazio to accept a loan move that would help him get back to shape and return to Rome with the aim to return to his usual first team position. The club suggested some Saudi
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
teams, but the player instead requested he joined Al Wasl FC
Al Wasl FC
Al Wasl Sports Club is a multi-sports club in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It is best known for its football team.-The Cheetahs:Being one of the most popular clubs in the UAE, AlWasl have had several nicknames. The most famous one being...
in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. Lazio accepted and he joined the club until the end of the season.
Firmani returned to Lazio in July 2009, starting preseason training in the northern town of Auronzo di Cadore
Auronzo di Cadore
Auronzo di Cadore is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km north of Venice and about 50 km northeast of Belluno....
, trying to earn himself a place in new coach Davide Ballardini
Davide Ballardini
Davide Ballardini is an Italian association football manager who is currently the head coach at Serie A club Cagliari...
's team. In February 2011, after being released by the club upon his request, the 33-year old joined Chinese Super League
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
outfit Shaanxi Chanba FC.
International career
Firmani was never called-up to the Italian national teamItaly 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...
, but collected 10 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the under-21 side
Italy national under-21 football team
The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
, scoring once.
He was a member of the side which won the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The UEFA U-21 Championship 2000, which spanned two years , had 47 entrants. Northern Ireland competed for the first time. For the first time a finals tournament with two groups of four teams was held, with one of those teams, Slovakia, having been chosen as the hosts.Italy U-21s won the...
, and also played Olympic football
Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
in the same year, in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.