Enrico Alfonso
{{short description|Italian footballer (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Enrico Alfonso
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|5|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = Padua, Italy
| image = Enrico Alfonso04.jpg
| height = 1.91 m
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Virtus Verona
| clubnumber = 1
| youthyears1 = 1994–1998
| youthyears2 = 1998–2003
| youthyears3 = 2003–2005
| youthclubs1 = U.S. Alte Ceccato
| youthclubs2 = Montecchio Maggiore
| youthclubs3 = Chievo
| years1 = 2005–2006
| years2 = 2006–2007
| years3 = 2007–2008
| years4 = 2008
| years5 = 2008–2009
| years6 = 2009–2011
| years7 = 2011–2013
| years8 = 2013–2014
| years9 = 2014–2015
| years10 = 2015–2018
| years11 = 2018–2020
| years12 = 2020–2022
| years13 = 2022–2025
| years14 = 2024–2025
| years15 = 2025–
| clubs1 = Chievo
| clubs2 = → Pizzighettone (loan)
| clubs3 = Internazionale
| clubs4 = → Venezia (loan)
| clubs5 = → Pisa (loan)
| clubs6 = → Modena (loan)
| clubs7 = Cremonese
| clubs8 = Vicenza
| clubs9 = Pro Piacenza
| clubs10 = Cittadella
| clubs11 = Brescia
| clubs12 = Cremonese
| clubs13 = SPAL
| clubs14 = → Virtus Verona (loan)
| clubs15 = Virtus Verona
| caps1 = 0
| caps2 = 9
| caps3 = 0
| caps4 = 7
| caps5 = 9
| caps6 = 37
| caps7 = 42
| caps8 = 8
| caps9 = 34
| caps10 = 104
| caps11 = 34
| caps12 = 8
| caps13 = 62
| caps14 = 13
| caps15 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| goals11 = 0
| goals12 = 0
| goals13 = 0
| goals14 = 0
| goals15 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2003
| nationalyears2 = 2003–2004
| nationalyears3 = 2004–2005
| nationalyears4 = 2006
| nationalyears5 = 2007–2008
| nationalyears6 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Italy U15
| nationalteam2 = Italy U16
| nationalteam3 = Italy U17
| nationalteam4 = Italy U19
| nationalteam5 = Italy U20
| nationalteam6 = Italy U23
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalcaps2 = 14
| nationalcaps3 = 4
| nationalcaps4 = 1
| nationalcaps5 = 3
| nationalcaps6 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| pcupdate = 1 February 2025
| ntupdate =
}}
Enrico Alfonso (born 4 May 1988) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{Italian football updater|VirtusVerona}} club Virtus Verona.
Club career
=Early career=
Aged only 6 years old, Alfonso began his playing career with Alte di Montecchio. He spent 4 years with the club, before moving for one season at Montecchio Maggiore at the age of 10.
After that season, Alfonso joined Chievo's Giovanissimi. He was sent on loan to Pizzighettone of Serie C1 in summer 2006. He competed with Alex Cordaz for first choice until Cordaz ended his loan.
=Inter Milan=
On 27 August 2007, he joined Inter Milan on co-ownership deal, for €1.9 million, signing a five-year deal with the club.{{cite web | url = http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27198&L=en | title = Alfonso signs for Inter | date = 27 August 2007 | work=www.inter.it }} He replaced Fabián Carini, who left for Real Murcia, as fourth goalkeeper (but in the UEFA Champions League the 4th keeper was Paolo Tornaghi). He took the number 71 shirt, which was previously owned by Cordaz.
On 17 January 2008 Alfonso made his debut against Reggina in the Coppa Italia. In the match he was forced to make two good saves, keeping a clean sheet to help Inter win 3–0 (7–1 on aggregate).
In January 2008 Alfonso was loaned out to Venezia until the end of the 2007–08 season.{{cite web | url = http://inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=28483&L=en | title = Alfonso joins Venezia | date = 25 January 2008 | work=www.inter.it }}
Alfonso spent the 2008–09 season on loan to Serie B side Pisa.{{cite news|publisher=Pisa Calcio|url=http://www.pisacalcio.it/news/dettaglio.html?iId=2582|title=ENRICO ALFONSO È UN GIOCATORE DEL PISA |date=23 July 2008|access-date=23 July 2008|language=it |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724040326/http://www.pisacalcio.it/news/dettaglio.html?iId=2582 |archive-date = 24 July 2008}} After Pisa's relegation to Lega Pro Prima Divisione, and ultimately its financial collapse, Internazionale secured a loan move to Modena for Alfonso for the 2009-10 Serie B season. In the next season he became the starting goalkeeper of Modena, playing 31 times.
In July 2011 he was transferred to Cremonese along with Michele Rigione and Riccardo Bocalon. They finished as the losing semi-finalists in the promotion playoffs.
On 21 June 2012, Inter bought Alfonso outright for €1.1 million, with Matteo Solini returning to Chievo, also for €1.1 million.AC Chievo-Verona s.r.l. financial report and accounts (bilancio) on 30 June 2012 {{in lang|it}} In July 2012, he returned to Cremonese.{{cite news|url=http://www.tuttocremonese.com/qui-cremona/ufficiale-alfonso-rimane-il-portiere-titolare-1957|title=UFFICIALE: Alfonso rimane il portiere titolare|date=16 July 2012|access-date=19 September 2018|publisher=tuttocremonese|language=it}}
=Lega Pro clubs=
In late July 2013 Alfonso joined Vicenza as a trialist, in which he played as one of the starting keepers in the pre-season games.{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/vicenza-genoa-international-7-0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130813135302/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/vicenza-genoa-international-7-0|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 August 2013|title=Vicenza-Genoa International 7-0|date=25 July 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/al-bassano-virtus-il-qid-trofeo-citta-di-asiagoq|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130813135325/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/al-bassano-virtus-il-qid-trofeo-citta-di-asiagoq|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 August 2013|title=Al Bassano Virtus il "I° Trofeo Città di Asiago"|date=28 July 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/amichevole-di-allenamento-vicenza-trapani-0-2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803030729/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/amichevole-di-allenamento-vicenza-trapani-0-2|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2013|title=Amichevole di allenamento Vicenza-Trapani 0-2|date=1 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/gara-di-allenamento-vicenza-san-paolo-padova-5-0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130809131228/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/gara-di-allenamento-vicenza-san-paolo-padova-5-0|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2013|title=Gara di allenamento Vicenza-San Paolo Padova: 5-0|date=8 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}} On 10 August 2013 Alfonso signed a 1-year contract with Vicenza, in Lega Pro .{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/alfonso-enrico-in-biancorosso|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130813090842/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/alfonso-enrico-in-biancorosso|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 August 2013|title=Alfonso Enrico in biancorosso|date=10 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}} Alfonso immediately replaced Angelo Di Stasio as the starting keeper of Vicenza in competitive games, his debut being the second round of the 2013–14 Coppa Italia.{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/tim-cup-varese-vicenza-1-0-il-tabellino|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130812153431/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/tim-cup-varese-vicenza-1-0-il-tabellino|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2013|title=Tim Cup Varese-Vicenza 1-0: il tabellino|date=11 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}} He was the first choice in the match after, against Del Piero's Sydney FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/amichevole-sydney-fc-vicenza-3-1-il-tabellino|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130818110629/http://www.vicenzacalcio.com/news/item/amichevole-sydney-fc-vicenza-3-1-il-tabellino|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 August 2013|title=Amichevole Sydney F.C.-Vicenza 3-1: il tabellino|date=13 August 2013|access-date=18 August 2013|publisher=Vicenza Calcio|language=it}} Vicenza were promoted back to Serie B in 2014 as a replacement of Siena, despite finished as a losing quarter-finalist in the 2014 promotion playoffs.
On 26 September 2014, Alfonso went to Pro Piacenza as a free agent.[http://www.sportpiacenza.it/calcio/notizie.asp?s=128&n=87460&l=0 Lega Pro - Il Pro Piacenza si rinforza con Alfonso] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090152/http://www.sportpiacenza.it/calcio/notizie.asp?s=128&n=87460&l=0 |date=4 March 2016 }} Sportpiacemza.it
On 16 July 2015, Alfonso was signed by A.S. Cittadella.{{cite web|url=https://www.ascittadella.it/notizie/alfonso-per-la-porta-granata/|title=Alfonso per la porta granata|date=16 July 2015|access-date=8 May 2016|publisher=A.S. Cittadella|language=it}}
=Return to Cremonese=
On 26 August 2020 he returned to Cremonese.{{cite press release|publisher=Cremonese|url=https://www.uscremonese.it/alfonso-ritorna-a-vestire-il-grigiorosso/|title=ALFONSO RITORNA A VESTIRE IL GRIGIOROSSO|date=26 August 2020|language=it|access-date=19 September 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827071236/https://www.uscremonese.it/alfonso-ritorna-a-vestire-il-grigiorosso/|url-status=dead}}
=SPAL=
On 29 January 2022, he signed with SPAL until 30 June 2023.{{cite press release|publisher=SPAL|url=https://www.spalferrara.it/il-portiere-enrico-alfonso-e-ufficialmente-biancazzurro/|title=IL PORTIERE ENRICO ALFONSO É UFFICIALMENTE BIANCAZZURRO|date=29 January 2022|access-date=29 January 2022|language=it|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129154702/https://www.spalferrara.it/il-portiere-enrico-alfonso-e-ufficialmente-biancazzurro/|url-status=dead}}
=Virtus Verona=
On 6 August 2024, Alfonso moved on loan to Virtus Verona.{{cite web|publisher=Virtus Verona|url=https://www.virtusverona.it/icatalog/33380/comunicazione.html|title=COMUNICATO UFFICIALE: ENRICO ALFONSO È ROSSOBLÙ|trans-title=OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: ENRICO ALFONSO IS RED AND BLUE|date=6 August 2024|access-date=14 August 2024|language=it}} On 3 February 2025, Virtus Verona made the transfer permanent.{{cite web|publisher=Virtus Verona|url=https://www.virtusverona.it/icatalog/33635/comunicazione.html|title=Comunicato ufficiale Enrico Alfonso|trans-title=Official press release Enrico Alfonso|date=3 February 2025|access-date=3 February 2025|language=it}}
International career
Alfonso had been part of every minor Italy national football teams, from the under-15 to the under-21. He took part in 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship (in which he was sent off in the third match) and 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He was not played in any match of 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification and was rarely selected for the U-19 team.
On 5 September 2007, the round 1 of 2007–08 Four Nations Tournament, Alfonso played the whole match of Italy under-20 national team against Switzerland. Alfonso managed to hold a clean sheet, as the match ended in a goalless draw.{{cite web | url = http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27284&L=en | title = Ninety minutes with Italy U20s for Alfonso | date = 6 September 2007 | work = www.inter.it }}
On 5 October 2007, Pierluigi Casiraghi called up Alfonso, along with teammate Francesco Bolzoni, to form part of the Italy national under-21 football team. The national side would be involved in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification matches against Croatia and Greece.{{cite web | url = http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27595&L=en | title = Italy U21 call-ups for Alfonso, Bolzoni | date = 5 October 2007 | work = www.inter.it | access-date = 16 December 2007 | archive-date = 5 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090205121442/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27595&L=en | url-status = dead }} However, he did not play nor was he named on the bench.[https://archive.today/20120709134933/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=15084/match=300375/report=lu.html][https://archive.today/20120707170139/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=15084/match=300173/report=lu.html] That season he only managed to play the third{{cite web | url =http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=28086&L=en | title = Italy U20 call-ups for Alfonso, Bolzoni| date = 3 February 2007 | work = www.inter.it }} and sixth round of the Four Nations Tournament.
He was called up to the 2008 Toulon Tournament from Italy Olympic{{cite news|url=http://www.figc.it/it/204/18753/2008/05/News.shtml|title=Ventidue Azzurrini a Tolone. Il 21 esordio contro la Costa d'Avorio|date=16 May 2008|work=FIGC|access-date=21 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908034946/http://www.figc.it/it/204/18753/2008/05/News.shtml|archive-date=8 September 2012|language=it}} where he played two matches keeping one clean sheet, during the group stages, after Italy already qualified for the next round with a win. He was not selected to 2008 Olympics in August. Despite having still been eligible for the 2009–11 season, he did not receive any call-up.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{FIFA player|232734}}
- [http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=2688&squadra=2 FIGC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224013045/http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=2688&squadra=2 |date=24 February 2012 }} {{in lang|it}}
- {{Soccerway|enrico-alfonso/18341}}
{{Virtus Verona squad}}
{{portal bar|Association football|Italy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alfonso, Enrico}}
Category:Footballers from Padua
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italy men's youth international footballers
Category:Italy men's under-21 international footballers
Category:AC ChievoVerona players
Category:AS Pizzighettone players
Category:Modena FC 2018 players
Category:AS Cittadella players
Category:Brescia Calcio players