1. Player Career
Enrico Chiesa's football playing career unfolded chronologically, marked by his impactful spells at several Italian clubs and significant achievements.
1.1. Early Career
Born in Genoa, Chiesa began his early playing days at the amateur club Pontedecimo from 1986 to 1987. He then joined Sampdoria, making his professional debut on 16 April 1989 in a 1-0 away loss against AS Roma in the 1988-89 Serie A season. However, he saw limited action and was subsequently loaned out to lower league clubs to gain experience. He played for Teramo in Serie C2 during the 1990-91 season, making 31 appearances and scoring 5 goals. This was followed by a stint at Chieti in Serie C1 during the 1991-92 season, where he scored 6 goals in 24 matches.
Chiesa returned to Sampdoria in 1992 for the 1992-93 season, where he featured in 26 Serie A matches and scored his first Serie A goal on 7 February against Ancona. Despite this, he failed to make a strong impression and was loaned to Modena in Serie B for the 1993-94 season, where he found significant form, scoring 14 goals in 36 appearances. The following season, 1994-95, he moved to Cremonese in Serie A, maintaining his goal-scoring prowess with 14 goals in 34 league matches.
1.2. Sampdoria and Rise to Prominence
In 1995, Chiesa made his second return to Sampdoria for the 1995-96 season. This period proved to be his breakthrough, as he formed a highly effective attacking partnership with Roberto Mancini. Their collaboration, often fueled by Mancini's assists, led to Chiesa scoring a prolific 22 goals in just 27 Serie A matches. This season included a hat-trick against SSC Bari in December and two goals against Juventus in the subsequent match. His exceptional performance earned him the Guerin d'Oro award in 1996, recognizing him as the best player in Serie A, and also led to his first call-up to the Italy national team.
1.3. Parma
Following his impressive season at Sampdoria, Chiesa was signed by the ambitious Parma in 1996. Under manager Carlo Ancelotti's strong desire, Chiesa became a central figure, leading to a rival relationship with the team's established star Gianfranco Zola, who subsequently left the club. In his first season, 1996-97, Chiesa scored 14 Serie A goals, contributing to Parma's second-place finish behind Juventus, which secured qualification for the 1997-98 UEFA Champions League. During the 1997-98 season, he continued to impress, scoring 21 goals across all competitions.
Chiesa's most successful period with Parma came in the 1998-99 season. He formed another potent attacking duo, this time with Argentine star striker Hernán Crespo, with both players consistently scoring between 10 and 15 goals per season. That year, Parma achieved a notable double, winning both the 1998-99 UEFA Cup and the 1998-99 Coppa Italia. Chiesa was instrumental in their UEFA Cup triumph, finishing as the competition's top scorer with 8 goals, including a crucial goal in the final against Olympique Marseille. He also contributed to the Coppa Italia win and the 1998 Supercoppa Italiana title. Across three seasons with Parma, he recorded 55 goals in 120 appearances, establishing himself as one of Italy's top strikers when not sidelined by injuries. Despite his contributions, physical issues led the club to decide on his departure.
1.4. Fiorentina
In 1999, Chiesa joined Fiorentina for 28.00 B ITL (14.46 M EUR). The club aimed to strengthen its squad and retain captain Gabriel Batistuta. During his initial season, Chiesa often competed for a place with players like Predrag Mijatović and experienced periods of poor form, managing only 6 league goals.
The 2000-01 season saw a significant change as Batistuta departed for AS Roma, and Fiorentina battled both injuries and financial difficulties. Under manager Roberto Mancini, Chiesa became the team's primary striker, supported by playmaker Rui Costa. He enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 22 goals in 30 matches and finishing among the top five highest scorers in the league. His efforts helped Fiorentina secure the 2000-01 Coppa Italia title by defeating his former club, Parma, in the final. In the second leg at home, he assisted Nuno Gomes's goal in a 1-1 draw, clinching the title 2-1 on aggregate.
The 2001-02 season started exceptionally well for Chiesa, as he scored 5 goals in the first 5 matches. However, his promising form was abruptly ended by a severe knee ligament injury (a condition similar to that suffered by Ronaldo) sustained in a match against Venezia on matchday five. This injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Without their key attacker, Fiorentina struggled and were ultimately relegated at the end of the season, a fate compounded by ongoing financial problems. Chiesa later expressed his profound regret over this injury, believing that if he had remained healthy, he might have prevented Fiorentina's bankruptcy and secured a place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad.
1.5. Lazio and Siena
Following Fiorentina's relegation and financial woes, Chiesa transferred to Lazio for the 2002-03 season. However, his spell in Rome was less impactful, and he struggled to regain his previous form.
In 2003, he moved to Siena, where he quickly became a fan favorite and a pivotal player in the club's Serie A history. He impressively achieved double-digit goal figures in Serie A for three consecutive seasons: 10 goals in 2003-04, 11 in 2004-05, and 11 in 2005-06. Despite a very poor 2006-07 season where he failed to score a single Serie A goal, he received strong backing from the club and new trainer Andrea Mandorlini, who explicitly stated his belief in Chiesa's importance and expected at least 15 goals from him in the 2007-08 Serie A campaign. Nonetheless, he only made two appearances without scoring before departing.
1.6. Later Career and Retirement
In 2008, Chiesa signed with Figline, then playing in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (the fourth tier of Italian football). He scored 5 goals, significantly contributing to the team's promotion to the Lega Pro Prima Divisione (third tier). The following season, which proved to be his last as a professional footballer, his playing time was severely limited due to a fractured leg, an injury that kept him out for most of the season. Enrico Chiesa ultimately retired from professional football in 2010. Throughout his career, he made 378 appearances in Serie A, scoring 138 goals.
2. International Career
Enrico Chiesa represented the Italy national team from 1996 to 2001, earning 17 caps and scoring 7 goals.
He made his senior international debut on 29 May 1996 in a friendly 2-2 draw against Belgium in Cremona, marking the occasion with his first international goal. Later that year, he was selected by manager Arrigo Sacchi for UEFA Euro 1996, notably chosen ahead of other prominent strikers such as Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, and Giuseppe Signori. Chiesa appeared in two group stage matches: he scored Italy's only goal in a 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic, and played in a 0-0 draw against Germany, as Italy were eliminated in the first round.
Chiesa was also called up for the 1998 FIFA World Cup by manager Cesare Maldini as a replacement for the injured Fabrizio Ravanelli. He featured in Italy's opening group match, a 2-2 draw against Chile, and came on as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Norway in the round of 16. Italy's campaign ended in the quarter-finals, where they were defeated on penalties by host nation and eventual champions France.
Under manager Dino Zoff, Chiesa notably scored a hat-trick in a 6-2 friendly win for Italy against the FIFA World XI on 16 December 1998, a match organized to commemorate the centenary of the Italian Football Federation. He also scored a goal in a 4-0 victory over Wales in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying match in Bologna on 5 June 1999. His final appearance for Italy came under Giovanni Trapattoni in a 1-0 friendly win against South Africa in Perugia on 25 April 2001.
Chiesa holds a unique record alongside Alessandro Del Piero for the most goals scored by an Italian international coming off the bench (5 goals). He is also the last player to have scored in his first two appearances for the Italy national team.
3. Style of Play
Enrico Chiesa was widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dynamic strikers in Italy during the mid-1990s, known for his prolific goalscoring ability. He was a quick, strong, hardworking, and elegant player, primarily deployed as a main striker in a central role throughout his career. However, his versatility, vision, excellent technique, close control at speed, and tactical intelligence also allowed him to play effectively as a supporting forward or on the wing, enabling him to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Possessing impressive pace, stamina, and strong offensive movement, Chiesa was particularly adept at counter-attacks. He was known for his ability to make incisive attacking runs into the penalty area and to strike the ball powerfully and accurately with either foot, from both inside and outside the box, often on the first touch while on the run. Additionally, he was a renowned specialist in scoring with powerful or bending free-kicks, and he is the joint ninth-highest goalscorer of all time from free-kicks in Serie A, with 13 goals, placing him alongside legends like Michel Platini and Álvaro Recoba.
Manager Fabio Capello described Chiesa as a complete forward, likening him to a cross between Gigi Riva and Paolo Rossi. Capello highlighted Chiesa's opportunism, anticipation, and exceptional striking ability, noting his capacity to excel acrobatically in the air and execute spectacular volleys. Beyond his goalscoring prowess, Chiesa was also recognized for his dedication, professionalism, and consistently correct behavior on the field. Despite his talent and reputation, his career was notably affected by several significant injuries, which frequently interrupted his form and playing time.
4. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Enrico Chiesa embarked on a brief coaching career. In June 2010, he was appointed as the new head coach of his former club, Figline, for the 2010-11 season. However, his coaching tenure lasted only a very short time. Figline faced severe financial issues and was ultimately excluded from the Italian football leagues in July 2010, less than a month after Chiesa's appointment, thus prematurely ending his first coaching experience.
5. Personal Life
Enrico Chiesa is the father of Federico Chiesa, who has also become a prominent professional footballer. Federico currently plays as a forward for Juventus in Serie A.
6. Assessment and Legacy
Enrico Chiesa's playing career is evaluated as one marked by significant achievements and contributions to Italian football, yet also tempered by challenges, particularly recurring injuries. His prolific goal-scoring abilities and versatility made him a standout forward in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was integral to the successes of Sampdoria, Parma, and Fiorentina, securing multiple domestic cups and a UEFA Cup title, notably being the top scorer in the latter competition.
A key challenge that impacted his career was the severe knee injury he sustained during the 2001-02 Serie A season while at Fiorentina. Chiesa himself publicly expressed that this injury was his greatest regret, noting that it not only ended his impressive season prematurely and potentially cost him a place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but also coincided with Fiorentina's financial collapse and subsequent relegation. He speculated that had he remained fit, the club's fortunes might have been different, highlighting the depth of his commitment and concern for his team.
His style of play, characterized by speed, power, technical skill, and tactical intelligence, earned him high praise from football figures like Fabio Capello, who compared him to legendary strikers Gigi Riva and Paolo Rossi. Riva himself acknowledged similarities in Chiesa's powerful shots and dynamic play. Despite the frequent injury setbacks that affected his career, Chiesa maintained a reputation for dedication, professionalism, and integrity on the pitch, leaving a legacy as a gifted and impactful Italian forward.
7. Career Statistics
7.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | Coppa Italia | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sampdoria | 1988-89 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1989-90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Teramo | 1990-91 | Serie C | 31 | 5 | - | - | - | 31 | 5 | |||
| Chieti | 1991-92 | Serie C | 24 | 6 | - | - | - | 24 | 6 | |||
| Sampdoria | 1992-93 | Serie A | 26 | 1 | - | - | - | 26 | 1 | |||
| Modena | 1993-94 | Serie B | 36 | 15 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 37 | 15 | ||
| Cremonese | 1994-95 | Serie A | 34 | 14 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 38 | 14 | ||
| Sampdoria | 1995-96 | Serie A | 27 | 22 | - | - | - | 27 | 22 | |||
| Parma | 1996-97 | Serie A | 29 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | - | 31 | 16 | |
| 1997-98 | 33 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | - | 48 | 21 | |||
| 1998-99 | 30 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 8 | - | 46 | 18 | |||
| Total | 92 | 33 | 15 | 6 | 18 | 16 | - | 125 | 55 | |||
| Fiorentina | 1999-2000 | Serie A | 24 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 4 | - | 39 | 12 | |
| 2000-01 | 30 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | - | 38 | 27 | |||
| 2001-02 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | ||
| Total | 59 | 34 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 85 | 45 | ||
| Lazio | 2002-03 | Serie A | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 4 | - | 29 | 7 | |
| Siena | 2003-04 | Serie A | 30 | 10 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 31 | 10 | ||
| 2004-05 | 36 | 11 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 36 | 11 | ||||
| 2005-06 | 38 | 11 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 40 | 12 | ||||
| 2006-07 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 25 | 0 | ||||
| 2007-08 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 129 | 32 | 5 | 1 | - | - | 134 | 33 | ||||
| Figline | 2008-09 | Lega Pro Seconda Divisione | 21 | 5 | - | - | - | 21 | 5 | |||
| Figline | 2009-10 | Lega Pro Prima Divisione | 11 | 2 | - | - | - | 11 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 471 | 164 | 41 | 14 | 44 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 557 | 203 | ||
7.2. International
| Italy | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 5 | 3 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 5 | 3 |
| 1999 | 5 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 7 |
8. Honours
8.1. Club
Sampdoria
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1989-90
Parma
- Coppa Italia: 1998-99
- UEFA Cup: 1998-99
Fiorentina
- Coppa Italia: 2000-01
- Supercoppa Italiana runner-up: 2001
Figline
- Lega Pro Seconda Divisione: 2008-09
- Supercoppa di Lega Seconda Divisione: 2008-09
8.2. Individual
- Guerin d'Oro: 1996
- UEFA Cup Top Scorer: 1998-99 (8 goals)