Antonio Chimenti

S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio

Chimenti began his career in the youth academy of S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio. In 1988, he was promoted to the first team. After two more seasons spent in Sambenedettese in Serie C1 and then Serie C2, he was loaned out to Tempio in the Serie C2 as well. With Tempio he managed 35 appearances as the club's starting goalkeeper. For the 1992–93 season, Chimenti was loaned out to AC Monza Brianza who played in the Serie B. Following just 4 appearances with the club, he returned to Sambenedettese for the 1993–94 season, but was sold simultaneously to Salernitana Calcio. With Sambenedettese, Chimenti made just five first team appearances.

Salernitana Calcio

In August 1993, Chimenti was sold permanently to Salerno-based club, Salernitana Calcio. In his first season with Salernitana, Chimenti appeared 27 times, helping lead his team to promotion to the Serie B, from the Serie C1. During the next three seasons, Salernitana remained in Serie B, with Chimenti totaling 110 additional appearances. Following his good form, he was scouted by Franco Sensi of Serie A club, AS Roma.

A.S. Roma

In the summer of 1997, Chimenti transferred to Serie A side A.S. Roma, following his good form in Salerno. On 21 September 1997, Chimenti made his Serie A debut with the capital club, in a match Roma won 3–1 versus US Lecce. He obtained 7 more appearances that season, and during his second season with the club, Chimenti appeared on a more regular…

Nicknamed Zucchina, Chimenti was known for his physical strength, confidence, longevity, mentality, concentration, and consistency as a goalkeeper, as well as for his ability with the ball at his feet in particular, having played as a forward as a youngster (like his father, Vito), which allowed him to control passes, retain possession under pressure, and even challenge opponents for the ball. In his youth, his role models were fellow former Juventus goalkeepers Dino Zoff and Stefano Tacconi, who inspired him to change position. A late bloomer, Chimenti reached his prime in his early 30s, undergoing noticeable improvements under his goalkeeping coach at Lecce, Franco Paleari, who helped him develop his agility, goalkeeping technique, and explosive power, which aided him in his shot-stopping, ability to get to ground quickly, and penalty saving abilities. Paleari praised him in 2000 for his personality and will to grow. Chimenti was less effective at rushing off his line to come out and claim crosses, however.

In October 2022, he joined Serie B club SPAL as a goalkeeping coach following the appointment of Daniele De Rossi as new boss.

Chimenti's father, Francesco, and uncle, Vito, were both also footballers.