Former Leeds United players Tommaso Bianchi and Mirco Antenucci this weekend came face to face with each other for the first time since exiting Elland Road.
Antenucci signed for SPAL after his contract expired with Leeds United, whilst Bianchi joined Ascoli on a permanent deal this summer following his loan spell with the Serie B side last season.
Ascoli and SPAL met at the weekend during their Serie B clash at the Del Duca, in a game which ended 1-1. Both departed Leeds United players started the game, but only Bianchi lasted the whole 90 minutes after Antenucci was substituted after 75 minutes.
At one point over the summer it seemed the two Italians would again become teammates following claims Antenucci was set to join Ascoli, but for a number of reasons the move never happened.
This was also the first time Bianchi and Antenucci have shared the same pitch with each other in a competitive game since the pair played with each other in their first season with Leeds United. With Bianchi being frozen out by the Championship side in the last campaign they didn’t play with each other in their second season in England.
Both Bianchi and Antenucci have made good starts since returning to Italy, and have held down regular places in their teams. Bianchi has been with Ascoli for the past nine months, and was a key player in helping the club avoid the drop to Lega Pro last season. Antenucci has already opened his scoring account with SPAL, and the forward was one of side’s standout players in the 3-0 win over Vicenza last week.
