Vito Chimenti

Source Lazio Wiki

Vito Chimenti was born in Bari, on December 9, 1953.

His first professional club was Matera in 1972-73. The Biancazzurri were in Serie C and he played 36 league games with 16 goals. The Bue (Ox) finished 16th, first under Alfredo Mancinelli (1-34) and then the duo Francesco Veneranda-Francesco Benedetto (35-38). He played alongside future Lazio midfielder Luigi Boccolini (1977-78).

In 1973 Chimenti joined Lazio. He only stayed until the autumn and never made his debut, only being an unused substitute a few times. A pity as Lazio went on to win the Scudetto under Tommaso Maestrelli.

In his time at Lazio he played a game for the U23s and scored against Frosinone in a 5-1 win. The U23s went on to win the Scudetto.

In November 1973 he joined Lecco in Serie C. He played 25 league games with 5 goals. The Manzoniani finished 5th, first under Sergio Brighenti and then Francesco Meregalli.

In 1974-75 he was with Salernitana in Serie C. He played 29 league games with 3 goals. The Granata finished 6th, first under Ettore Recagni (1-9) and then Giacomo Losi. His teammates included former Lazio midfielder Bruno Chinellato (1970-71).

In 1975 he returned to Matera and stayed two seasons. The Lucani were in Serie D but won the league promotion and then finished 13th in C. He played 63 league games with 27 goals. His manager for both seasons was Mario Zurlini who also played.

In 1977 he signed for Palermo and stayed two seasons. The Rosanero were in Serie B and finished 6th and 7th. In 1979 they reached the Coppa Italia final but lost to Juventus, despite a Chimenti goal in the 1st minute, 1-2 a.e.t. He played 74 league games with 29 goals. His manager was Francesco Veneranda again. His teammates included Lazio connections; Filippo Citterio (1979-81) and Walter Sabatini (in charge of Lazio youth sector 1992-94 and sporting director from 2004 to 2008). He also played alongside future top manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

In 1979 he signed for Catanzaro in Serie A. He played 29 league games with 1 goal (Pescara). The Giallorossi finished 14th (out of 16) but stayed up due to the "Calcioscommesse" (Milan and Lazio punished with relegation). The manager was first Carlo Mazzone (1-25) and then Saverio Leotta. He also played alongside future manager Sir Claudio Ranieri.

In 1980 Chimenti moved to Pistoiese in Serie A. He played 25 league games with 9 goals (Juventus, Como x2, Catanzaro, Brescia x2, Inter, Juventus again, Cagliari) but the Tuscans finished 16th and relegated under Lido Vieri with Edmondo Fabbri as technical director (7-30). His teammates included several Lazio connections; Mario Frustalupi (1972-75), Sergio Borgo (1973-74, 1975-76), Roberto Badiani (1974-79, 1981-83) and Andrea Agostinelli (1975-79). The squad also included future successful manager Marcello Lippi whose trophies include the 2006 World Cup with Italy.

In 1981 Chimenti joined Avellino in A. He played 30 games (26 in A) with 3 goals (Udinese, Cesena, Catanzaro). The Irpini finished an excellent 8th under first former Luís Vinício and then Claudio Tobia. The squad included future Lazio, Mario Piga (1983-84).

In 1982 he signed for his last club Taranto and stayed three seasons. The Rossoblu were in C1 and finished 4th, 2nd (promoted) and 15th in B. He played 83 league games with 22 goals. His managers were Lauro Toneatto, Antonio Giammarinaro (promotion year) then Bruno Pinna, Angelo Becchetti, Toneatto again and Becchetti again. His teammates included Dario Pighin (1976-82) and Massimo Piscedda (1983-84, 1985-90). In 1985 he was accused of match fixing and suspended for five years so he retired at 32.

After retiring as a player and after his suspension he returned to football as a coach. His experiences were; Avigliano (amateurs, 1992-92), Acri (amateurs, 1992-93, 16th), Altamura (amateurs, 1994-95, 13th), Matera (as assistant, C2, 1995-96, 11th), Rimini (assistant, C2, 1996-97, 8th), Matera (amateur level, 1997-98, 18th and relegated), Casarano (assistant, C2, 1998-99, 17th and relegated), Lanciano (assistant, C2, 1999-2000, 9th), Messina (assistant, C1, 2000-01, 2nd and promoted), Matera (D, 2004-05, 14th), Leonessa Altamura (amateurs, 2005-06), Banzi (amateurs, 2006-07), Foggia (assistant, C1, 2007-Jan 2008), Salernitana (collaborator, B and C, 2009-11), Messina (collaborator, D  2011-12), Matera (U17s, 2018-19), Pomarico (U19s, 2021-23) and Pomarico (goalkeeper coach, 2022-23).

Chimenti was a classic centre-forward. He was 1.70, short and stocky but scored goals. He scored 115 league goals in his career (13 in A). He also became famous for a particular movement he made to lift and carry the ball forward. It became known as the "bicycle" and he was nicknamed "Il bomber della bicicletta".

He was sometimes known as Chimenti II as his brother Francesco also played football. His nephew Antonio later played for Roma and Juventus as a goalkeeper.

Chimenti died in Pomarico (Matera), on January 29, 2023. He collapsed before a game between Pomarico and Real Senise (5th tier).

A life given to football until the end.

Sources

Wikipedia