Chiellini on the missed second world championship
“We were still intoxicated with happiness for the European Championship, when we drew at home with Bulgaria in the first qualifying match. Then we realized that playing with the enthusiasm of victory and chasing a dream is completely different from having to endure the pressure to avoid one sporting ‘tragedy’. We were unable to manage this situation: the two missed penalties in the two crucial matches against Switzerland demonstrate this. Furthermore, compared to the European Championship, some of us were not in shape, we have to be honest.”
“Mancini’s farewell? It was a surprise for me and for everyone else. After failing to qualify for the World Cup, something was definitely broken. Nobody can look into other people’s minds: he made a decision that we professionals can probably understand. We Latins always like to argue about everything. The important thing is that, after the trauma, Italy was lucky to find Luciano Spalletti free, who had just reached his peak with the Napoli title It was a deserved recognition, but also the solution to the national team’s problems.”
Chiellini’s prediction for the European Championship
“The favourites? Especially France and England, but also Portugal: they are my three favourites. The others are just behind them: Germany is playing at home and Spain is perhaps no longer in its golden age of ten or fifteen years ago, but he’s still strong. Don’t we have a relentless number 9? We shouldn’t burden him with too much responsibility , but he had three or four very good months. And there are also Chiesa and Retegui“.
“However, we are not the only team with this theoretical uncertainty. Portugal has champions like Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Reuben Dias and naturally Christian Ronaldo. Even if he is no longer the same as at the World Cup, he remains a magical player. I played with him for three years. He was a good teammate, very respectful. It’s very difficult to play against him, he can hit like a snake. And with the new coach Roberto Martinezit’s as if the Portuguese have been injected with a new elixir.”
“France is the favorite mainly thanks to Mbappé. He is currently the best player in the world, without any doubt. He is ready to take the throne of Christian and Messi. For years I have also appreciated it Griezmann. The two of them are exceptional, but the French are very strong in all positions. Personally I have a good relationship with Deschamps, who was my coach at Juventus. He is the right man to manage all these personalities,” concluded Chiellini.
