Samir Handanovič

Samir Handanovič was born in Lubiana, Slovenia, on July 14, 1984.

Source Lazio Wiki

His first club as a youngster was Slovan Lubiana.

In July 2003 he joined Domžale in the Slovenian top flight but in August left for Zagorje in the second flight where he played 11 league games. In November 2003 however, he returned to Domžale until the end of the season, making 7 league appearances.

In 2004 he arrived in Italy and signed for Udinese in Serie A. The manager was Luciano Spalletti and he played 3 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. The main keeper was Morgan De Sanctis and the Friulani finished 4th (Champions League). His teammates included Lazio connections; Giampiero Pinzi (1998-2000), Néstor Sensini (1999-2000), Emilson Cribari (2005-10), Manuel Belleri (2005-07) and Stefano Mauri (2006-16). His debut was eventful as he was sent off in a Coppa Italia game against Lecce, giving away a penalty which was then saved by outfield player David Di Michele (the Bianconeri had used up all their substitutions).

In 2005-06 he spent a few months on loan with Treviso in Serie A. He played 3 league games under Ezio Rossi but left in January. The Veneti were eventually relegated.

In January he joined Lazio. The manager was Delio Rossi and Handanovič was 3rd keeper behind Angelo Peruzzi and Marco Ballotta. The Biancocelesti had a good season finishing 6th but were then docked 30 points for the Calciopoli scandal and ended up 16th. Handanovic played 1 league game (last fixture against Parma).

In 2006-07 he went on loan to Rimini in Serie B and finally started playing regularly. The manager was Leonardo Arcori and the Biancorossi finished 5th. Handanovič played 39 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.

In 2007 he returned to Udinese where he stayed for five seasons. He played 207 games (179 in A) and became one of the best keepers in Serie A. The Friulani finished 7th (UEFA), 7th (and reached UEFA quarterfinals), 15th, 4th (Champions League) and 3rd (Champions League). His managers were Pasquale Marino for the first three seasons and then Francesco Guidolin. His teammates included Lazio connections; Bernardo Corradi (2002-04), Antonio Candreva (2012-16), Dušan Basta (2014-19) and Pinzi again.

Handanovič's good performance earned him a call from Inter who he signed for in 2012. He stayed eleven seasons, playing 455 games (380 in A). He won one Scudetto (2021), the Coppa Italia twice and the Italian Supercoppa twice. His managers included; Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri, Roberto Mancini, Stefano Pioli, Luciano Spalletti, Antonio Conte (Scudetto winning season) and finally Simone Inzaghi (other 4 trophies plus Champions League final defeat to Manchester City). The Nerazzurri finished 9th, 5th (EL), 8th, 4th (EL), 7th, 4th (CL), 4th (CL), 2nd (CL), 1st, 2nd (CL) and 3rd (CL). He played alongside several former Lazio players including; Juan Pablo Carrizo, Dejan Stankovic, Tommaso Rocchi, Gaby Mudingayi, Hernanes, Tommaso Berni, Candreva, Stefan de Vrij, Keita Baldé, Aleksandar Kolarov, Francesco Acerbi plus future Lazio, Matías Vecino.

Handanovič was the undisputed first choice keeper for ten seasons and captain for the last five. He is the foreign player with the second highest number of appearances for Inter (behind Javier Zanetti) and the goalkeeper with the most games played.

After the 2022-23 season, in which he had played less due to the signing of André Onana, he retired at the age of almost 39.

At international level he won 81 caps for Slovenia, between 2004 and 2018. He took part in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He is still at Inter and is coaching the Under 17s.

Handanovič was a keeper and was nicknamed "Batman". At 1.93 and 89 kilos he was strong but also agile. He was extremely reliable, predictably good on high balls but also on low crosses. He was an exceptional penalty stopper, he holds the Serie A record of 25 spot kick saves (including 6 in the 2010-11 season). He started his career as a traditional keeper but over the years evolved and improved with his feet to actively participate in the game construction as is fashionable today.

At Lazio he only stayed six months on loan. He was only 22 and had two experienced keepers ahead of him so was not given much of a chance. He later proved to be a superb goalkeeper.

Lazio Career

Season	Serie A appearances
2005-06	1

Source

Wikipedia