There are moments in life that do not return. One end of one Eurocup It can be one of those, especially if one is 36 years old as Chiellini. The footballer of the Juve squeeze every shock he has left and lead an Italy that respects England, host tomorrow: “You did a great job. I do not want to participate in the controversy or encourage those comments that suggest that you have had help. I want to enjoy in Wembley”, Assured the experienced defender.
Despite its appearance, capable of cowering the bravest, it has long been Chiellini he plays with a smile on his face: “I hug my rivals, I joke with them. I have enjoyed the Eurocup. I continued with Italy because I thought that I still have things to contribute. I've always felt that this wardrobe has something magical about it ”, he revealed. He has reason to believe it now that he is preparing for a final in which the national team wants to digest the defeat against Spain on the Eurocup 2012.
Chiellini knows that Italy is not going to be intimidated in Wembley, no matter how much the stands accompany much more England: “We believe we are capable of winning in London. For months we thought we could make a great Eurocup and here we are. The games in Rome gave us confidence, “said the center-back, although he knows that England awaits opposite, which has played solidly from the beginning:” A cold head and a warm heart “is his recipe.
Chiellini, who will form the rear with Leonardo Bonucci at Wembley, considered that the final will be played by the two teams that “most deserved” to advance and acknowledged that the Italian squad felt with great confidence from the beginning.
“We were clear that we would have a great Euro Cup, then the road is full of unforeseen events. But our idea was always that we would have a great Euro Cup. We felt that we were ready to do something great. Starting the tournament in Rome gave us a bonus. Going out with you The public next door gave us more push, “Chiellini said.
Praise to Kane
The Juventus center-back expressed his deep appreciation for Harry Kane, the forward who put England into the final with an outstanding performance in the semi-finals against Denmark.
“Kane is a world-class forward. I remember the first time I measured against him, it was a friendly in Turin. He has physical strength, but he knows how to score with a header, he knows how to pass, he knows how to throw free kicks. He is incredible, I am one one of those who appreciates him the most. I will be lucky to see him tomorrow on the field, it is always nice to play against these forwards, “said Chiellini.
He is clear that it will be essential to know how to read the moments of the game and act lucidly to defeat England, a team that will have the support of 60,000 fans.
“Tomorrow we need a warm heart because if not, you will not survive at Wembley, and without a cool head either. There will be moments when you will have to be lucid, it is unthinkable that we dominate the ninety minutes. It is a final and to win you have to be careful with all the details, “Chiellini said.
England is not Spain
The defender respects England a lot and highlighted his solidity in all areas of the field.
“England is not Spain, it has different characteristics. I think the players who deserved the most in this European Championship reached the final. They are solid, physically strong, with strong players and a good organization provided by the coach. It is not a team that plays as Spain, but they are strong, they received half a goal in the whole European Championship and as soon as they have space they can hurt you, “he said.
The draw prior to the semi-final round with Jordi Alba
In his speech, Chiellini also returned to analyze the moments before the penalty shootout against Spain, when he hugged Jordi Alba in the draw to relieve tension, a gesture that has been received with different opinions in the critics.
“I have many games of experience, I grew a lot over the years, I enjoy every moment of my last years of career. I always do it with a smile and respect for my rivals. I always did it, I did it before and also in this European Championship. tactics. I'm like that through thick and thin. I think that in the end we have mutual respect, “he explained.
And no controversy about alleged favors to England because they play the final at home: “It is not the first time that a team has made the final at home, they have been good at reaching the final.”