22 Facts About Antonio Candreva

1.

Antonio Candreva is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder or right winger for Serie A club Salernitana, on loan from Sampdoria.

2.

Antonio Candreva later moved to Udinese, remaining until 2012, but was sent on loan to Livorno, Juventus, Parma, and Cesena during his time with the club.

3.

Antonio Candreva subsequently transferred to Lazio, where he won the Coppa Italia in his first season with the team.

4.

Antonio Candreva is of part Arbereshe descent as his grandfather, on his father's side, is from the Arbereshe village of Falconara Albanese in Cosenza.

5.

In June 2007, Antonio Candreva was then signed by Serie A club Udinese and played for their Primavera team as an overage player.

6.

Antonio Candreva made his Serie A debut on 27 January 2008 against Inter, and managed several appearances for the first team throughout the season.

7.

Antonio Candreva scored his first Serie A goal, the winner against Bologna, less than ten minutes after coming on as a substitute for Diego.

8.

On 21 July 2011, Antonio Candreva signed for Serie A side Cesena on an initial one-year loan deal.

9.

Antonio Candreva assisted Senad Lulic's match-winning goal in the 71st minute of the 2013 Coppa Italia Final.

10.

In October 2013, Antonio Candreva added one more year to his current contract.

11.

On 25 September 2020, Antonio Candreva moved to Sampdoria on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent.

12.

On 13 August 2022, Antonio Candreva joined Serie A club Salernitana on a one-year loan deal.

13.

Antonio Candreva has played for Italy since the U-18 level, making his debut in October 2004.

14.

Antonio Candreva made his U-21 debut on 9 September 2008 in the 2009 Under-21 European Championship qualifier against Croatia.

15.

In early May, Antonio Candreva was called up for the training camp prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was included by manager Marcello Lippi in the 30-man preliminary squad announced on 11 May 2010, but was dropped from the 28-man provisional team a week later.

16.

In October 2012, Antonio Candreva was recalled to the Italian national team by manager Cesare Prandelli to play in a double fixture for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.

17.

Antonio Candreva earned a spot in the national team after his top performances for Lazio playing in both qualifiers.

18.

In June 2013, Antonio Candreva was selected by Prandelli to play in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

19.

Antonio Candreva stepped up to take the first penalty and scored past Iker Casillas by chipping the ball, in a way that recalled the famous penalty scored by Czech legend Antonin Panenka in the UEFA Euro 1976 Final.

20.

On 1 June 2014, Antonio Candreva was selected in Italy's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

21.

Antonio Candreva has been deployed as a false attacking midfielder on occasion.

22.

Antonio Candreva is gifted with vision and creativity, as well as precise passing, good distribution, and his excellent crossing ability and set-piece delivery, which enable him to create chances and provide several assists for teammates.