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Alessandro Diamanti is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. At club level, he has previously played for Prato, Empoli, Fucecchio, Florentia, AlbinoLeffe, Livorno, West Ham United, Brescia, Bologna, Fiorentina, Watford and Guangzhou Evergrande. At international level, he represented Italy at UEFA Euro 2012, winning a runners-up medal, and at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, winning a bronze medal. On 1 August 2011, Diamanti was signed by Serie A side Bologna in a co-ownership deal with Brescia, for €1.5 million. Diamanti’s first goal for the club came in a 3–1 home defeat to Internazionale on 24 September. On 11 December, Bologna played host to Inter’s cross–city rivals Milan; Diamanti played inspired football and provided an assist for Marco Di Vaio’s opening goal and then netted a 73rd-minute goal to earn his side a 2–2 draw. Diamanti scored the winning goal of a 3–1 away victory over Lazio on 11 March 2012 with a 30-yard strike over out-of-position goalkeeper Federico Marchetti. On 12 April, Diamanti scored an incredible free-kick against Cagliari to move his side up to 40 points and six points clear of the relegation zone. On 16 September 2012, Diamanti scored in between strikes from Alberto Gilardino to help Bologna to a 3–2 comeback victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.Diamanti put the finishing touches on a comfortable 3–0 defeat of Palermo on 18 November, netting from the penalty spot in the 48th minute. On 2 December, Diamanti netted from a free-kick as Bologna earned a hard fought 2–1 victory over Atalanta, courtesy of a second-half goal from teammate Manolo Gabbiadini. Two weeks later, on 16 December, Diamanti proved instrumental in Bologna’s surprise 3–2 defeat of high-flying Napoli, providing the free-kick from which Daniele Portanova headed in a minute from time to secure the victory.