Francesco Benussi

Francesco Benussi

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Personal information
Date of birth	(1981-10-15) 15 October 1981
Place of birth	Mestre, Italy
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Carpi
Number	22
Youth career
1998–1999	Venezia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2005	Venezia	55	(0)
2000–2001	→ Lumezzane (loan)	18	(0)
2001–2002	→ Ascoli (loan)	2	(0)
2003	→ Arezzo (loan)	14	(0)
2005–2010	Lecce	93	(0)
2007	→ Siena (loan)	0	(0)
2009–2010	→ Livorno (loan)	5	(0)
2010–2013	Palermo	13	(0)
2012	→ Torino (loan)	18	(0)
2013–2014	Udinese	0	(0)
2014–2015	Verona	7	(0)
2015–	Carpi	0	(0)
International career
1999–2000	Italy U18	6	(0)
2000–2001	Italy U20	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 July 2015

Francesco Benussi (born 15 October 1981) is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Carpi.

Career

Venezia

Benussi started his career at Venezia, After he made his team debut in 1999–2000 season. He was loaned to Serie C1 clubs likes Lumezzane and Ascoli. After played as a backup of Giovanni Indiveri, he returned to Venice and played as a backup of Salvatore Soviero before left on loan again for Arezzo of Serie C1. Benussi became first choice after Soviero departed for Reggina.

Lecce

After Venezia bankruptcy and relegated, Benussi was signed by Lecce, as first a backup to Vincenzo Sicignano in August 2005. But due to injury of Sicignano, he played 15 Serie A games. Lecce failed to protect her place in Serie A, and saw Sicignano left the club. Benussi became the first choice at the start of 2004–05 season, before left on loan to A.C. Siena as player exchange with Nicola Pavarini. At Siena, he failed to challenge Alex Manninger for the first choice, and Siena has not decided to bought Benussi outright.

Returned to Lecce for another Serie B season, his first choice place was challenged by Antonio Rosati but Benussi played 23 Serie B games and all 4 promotion playoffs, to win promotion for the Apulia club in June 2008.

Livorno

On 12 August 2009 Livorno have signed the goalkeeper on loan from U.S. Lecce.He played as unused substitute on 9 August, Coppa Italia match that Lecce 4–0 won Vico Equense.

On 25 October 2009, he played his first match for Livorno, substituted Nico Pulzetti after goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia was sent off. He played as starter in the subsequent 3 league matches and 2 Coppa Italia games.

Palermo and loan to Torino

On 1 February 2010 Benussi agreed for a loan transfer to Palermo, with Rubinho making the opposite move, reunited with former Venezia owner Maurizio Zamparini. After Palermo signed Giacomo Brichetto permanently, Benussi also signed permanently from Lecce a week later, on 22 July 2010. He signed a 3-year contract.

Constantly a second choice behind Italian international Salvatore Sirigu, Benussi has since played only at UEFA Europa League level during his period while at Palermo. Initially confirmed as second goalkeeper following the departure of Sirigu to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and the signing of Greek international Alexandros Tzorvas as a replacement, he successively became the first choice under new head coaches Devis Mangia and Bortolo Mutti. Following the acquisition of Italy international Emiliano Viviano, Palermo opted to send Benussi on loan to Torino in the Serie B league.

Udinese

On 25 July 2013, his contract with Palermo was cancelled and he moved to Udinese.

International career

He has been capped for the Italy U20 side in 2000 at the Toulon Tournament, behind Generoso Rossi as 2nd choice goalkeeper. He played once at the tournament.

Honours

• Serie B Third-Place: 2008 (Lecce)
• Serie C1 Champions: 2002 (Ascoli)

External links

• http://www.gazzetta.it/speciali/serie_b/2008_nw/giocatori/52585.shtml