Lorenzo De Silvestri
Encyclopedia
Lorenzo De Silvestri is an Italian
footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A
club Fiorentina
. He is an offensive fullback with an imposing physique.
His first senior appearance was a match in the UEFA Intertoto Cup
in 2005 at the age of 17. His debut in Italian competition came a year later, during a 4–0 Coppa Italia
victory over Rende
, scoring the fourth goal of the match.
De Silvestri then made his Serie A
debut coming on as a substitute, in a 1–0 home loss to Fiorentina
, on 22 April 2007. He then made his first start in the penultimate match of the season at the Stadio Olimpico
against Parma
.
During the 2007–08 season, De Silvestri established himself as a regular in the Lazio side with several impressive performances as an attacking right back. He made 24 league appearances, as well as six in the UEFA Champions League
, three as a starter and three as a substitute.
As a 19 year old home grown player, and a boyhood Lazio fan, De Silvestri also became a fans' favourite, with many considering him a potential successor of former Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta
.
In 2007, he signed a contract renewal with the club believed to be worth around €350,000, keeping him at Formello until 2010. On November 19, 2007, English
football magazine World Soccer
included De Silvestri in their list of the 50 most promising talents. He and Andrea Russotto
were the only Italians
to make the list.
On December 19, 2007, just over a year after his debut goal against Rende, De Silvestri scored again in the Coppa Italia
, this time against Napoli
. He dedicated his goal to his close friend and fellow Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri, who was shot dead by a policeman at a service area near Arezzo
. Since making his debut, De Silvestri has continued to improve the technical and tactical aspects of his game under the guidance of manager Delio Rossi
. However a number of disagreement between De Silvestri and his club arose, most notably regarding difficult talks regarding the extension to his contract with Lazio. He also endured a frustrating 2008–09 season playing deputy to new signing Stephan Lichtsteiner
and started in only 13 league matches. Due to the contract wrangles and his failure to dislodge Lichtsteiner, led to him being put on sale during the 2009 summer transfer window.
signed the right-back from S.S. Lazio
on a five-year deal, he was presented to the press in Florence
on 27 August; on successve declarations, De Silvestri stated he had reluctantly decided to leave his favourite club due to his strained relationship with president Claudio Lotito
. After a injury that prevented him from appearing in the early weeks of the season, De Silvestri became a regular under head coach Cesare Prandelli
and completed the 2009–10 campaign with a total 27 appearances. Under new Fiorentina boss Siniša Mihajlović
, De Silvestri was originally confirmed as a regular, but successively lost his place as a starter in favour of Gianluca Comotto
after the poor performance the team. However, he re-took the starting position (right back) after the winter break. He also played the last matches before the winter break as starting left back to replace the unavailable Manuel Pasqual
.
He made his U-21
debut on 11 September 2007 against Albania
. He was the youngest player in the squad for the 2008 Toulon Tournament
and the Olympics. Although he played in several of the 2009 European Championship qualifiers, he did not make the 23-man squad for the tournament
. After the tournament, he became first-choice and was appointed captain.
On 7 September 2010 he made his debut with the Italy national team
in a qualification match against Faroe Islands
.
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
footballer who plays as a defender for 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...
club 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...
. He is an offensive fullback with an imposing physique.
Lazio
A product of the highly successful Lazio youth system, De Silvestri was promoted to the senior team during the 2006–07 season, during which he made his first two league appearances.His first senior appearance was a match in the UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
in 2005 at the age of 17. His debut in Italian competition came a year later, during a 4–0 Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
victory over Rende
Rende Calcio
Società Sportiva Rende are an Italian association football club, based in Rende, Calabria, currently playing in the regionally-based amateur Promozione league. The team's colors are red and white.-History:...
, scoring the fourth goal of the match.
De Silvestri then 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 coming on as a substitute, in a 1–0 home loss to 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...
, on 22 April 2007. He then made his first start in the penultimate match of the season 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...
against Parma
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...
.
During the 2007–08 season, De Silvestri established himself as a regular in the Lazio side with several impressive performances as an attacking right back. He made 24 league appearances, as well as six in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2007–08
The 2007–08 UEFA Champions League was the 16th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded in 1992, and the 53rd tournament overall....
, three as a starter and three as a substitute.
As a 19 year old home grown player, and a boyhood Lazio fan, De Silvestri also became a fans' favourite, with many considering him a potential successor of former Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Milan. Considered by many as one of the best centre backs to have ever played the game, he is a four-time member of the annual UEFA Team of the Year.-Early life:Nesta was raised in...
.
In 2007, he signed a contract renewal with the club believed to be worth around €350,000, keeping him at Formello until 2010. On November 19, 2007, English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football magazine World Soccer
World Soccer
World Soccer may refer to:*World Soccer Magazine*World Soccer, a game for the Sega Master System-See also:*Football around the world, a listing of all international teams*World Soccer Daily, a U.S. based soccer radio show and podcast...
included De Silvestri in their list of the 50 most promising talents. He and Andrea Russotto
Andrea Russotto
Andrea Russotto is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie B outfit Livorno.-Club career:Hailed as one of the most promising Italian youngsters, he started his career as part of the S.S. Lazio youth system. In 2004, Russotto, already a regular in the national youth teams, was approached by...
were the only Italians
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
to make the list.
On December 19, 2007, just over a year after his debut goal against Rende, De Silvestri scored again in the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
, this time against 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....
. He dedicated his goal to his close friend and fellow Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri, who was shot dead by a policeman at a service area near Arezzo
Arezzo
Arezzo is a city and comune in Central Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located in Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 km southeast of Florence, at an elevation of 296 m above sea level. In 2011 the population was about 100,000....
. Since making his debut, De Silvestri has continued to improve the technical and tactical aspects of his game under the guidance of manager Delio Rossi
Delio Rossi
Delio Rossi is an Italian association football manager, currently managing Fiorentina.-Playing career:Rossi's playing career was not a bright one, as he reached his personal top from 1981 to 1983, playing Serie B with U.S. Foggia, where he spent most of his footballing time...
. However a number of disagreement between De Silvestri and his club arose, most notably regarding difficult talks regarding the extension to his contract with Lazio. He also endured a frustrating 2008–09 season playing deputy to new signing Stephan Lichtsteiner
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Stephan Lichtsteiner is a Swiss footballer, currently playing for Juventus and the Swiss national team. He is known for his runs down the right flank when on the counterattack, hence his nickname "Forrest Gump"...
and started in only 13 league matches. Due to the contract wrangles and his failure to dislodge Lichtsteiner, led to him being put on sale during the 2009 summer transfer window.
Fiorentina
On 26 August 2009 ACF FiorentinaACF 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...
signed the right-back from 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...
on a five-year deal, he was presented to the press in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
on 27 August; on successve declarations, De Silvestri stated he had reluctantly decided to leave his favourite club due to his strained relationship with president Claudio Lotito
Claudio Lotito
Claudio Lotito is an Italian entrepreneur. He is the owner and president of the Serie A football club S.S. Lazio since 2004....
. After a injury that prevented him from appearing in the early weeks of the season, De Silvestri became a regular under head coach Cesare Prandelli
Cesare Prandelli
Cesare Claudio Prandelli is an Italian football coach and former player. He is currently the manager of the Italy national football team.-Playing career:...
and completed the 2009–10 campaign with a total 27 appearances. Under new Fiorentina boss Siniša Mihajlović
Siniša Mihajlovic
Siniša Mihajlović is a Serbian football manager and former player. He was in charge of Serie A club Fiorentina since June 2010 to November 2011....
, De Silvestri was originally confirmed as a regular, but successively lost his place as a starter in favour of Gianluca Comotto
Gianluca Comotto
Gianluca Comotto is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Cesena of Serie A.- Club career :Comotto started his career at Ivrea of Serie D. He then played one season for Biellese, also in Serie D.- Torino :...
after the poor performance the team. However, he re-took the starting position (right back) after the winter break. He also played the last matches before the winter break as starting left back to replace the unavailable Manuel Pasqual
Manuel Pasqual
Manuel Pasqual is a footballer for ACF Fiorentina of Serie A and the Italy national football team. He is a left-back, who is well known for assisting his teammates from his accurate crosses...
.
International career
De Silvestri made his international debut at the U-16 level in June 2003.He made his U-21
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...
debut on 11 September 2007 against Albania
Albania national under-21 football team
The Albania national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
. He was the youngest player in the squad for the 2008 Toulon Tournament
2008 Toulon Tournament
The 2008 Toulon Tournament was the 36th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 20 May to 29 May 2008. Tournament finished with the final between Italy and Chile at Stade Mayol in Toulon as Italy had the title after the final score of 1–0, scored by Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on 70th...
and the Olympics. Although he played in several of the 2009 European Championship qualifiers, he did not make the 23-man squad for the tournament
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship began on 15 June 2009, and was the 17th UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. This was the first tournament after the competition reverted to a two-year format, following the single-year 2006-07 competition, which allowed the change to...
. After the tournament, he became first-choice and was appointed captain.
On 7 September 2010 he made his debut with the Italy national 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...
in a qualification match against Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
.
Lazio
-
Coppa ItaliaCoppa ItaliaThe Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
: 1 (2008–09Coppa Italia 2008-09The 2008–09 Coppa Italia was the sixty-first season of the tournament. The competition started on 9 August 2008 and ended on 13 May 2009. The radically different format used in the 2007–08 Coppa was abandoned, with the new format more closely resembling earlier editions of the tournament.The final...
)
External links
- Profile at ACF Fiorentina official site
- National Team statistics on FIGC official website