The Coppa Italia Final is likely to be one of the last few games in the Juventus jersey for Giorgio Chiellini, so former teammates Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli reveal the hidden side of the legend.
It kicks off against Inter this evening at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT) and Juve coach Max Allegri confirmed Chiellini will be in the starting XI.
Although he has not yet confirmed anything, it is widely believed the veteran will leave Turin at the end of this season, after 17 years at the club.
He spent many of those alongside Buffon and Barzagli, who spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his career.
“Chiello was my centurion, my security, my rock,” said Buffon, who is now back playing for Parma in Serie B.
“He was, and still is, a friend I shared a good chunk of my life with. Far more than a player or simply a teammate. We understood each other perfectly, we were aware of our strengths and limitations.”
Initially a left-back, moving to the centre later in his career and when Juventus switched to a three-man defence, Chiellini was a core figure in reviving the squad after Calciopoli.
“Chiello is so demanding with himself and others, he is an example of where intelligence, hard work, dedication and passion can let you reach unthinkable heights. Admittedly, he was not the most technically-gifted player with graceful movements, but I cannot think of a better defender over the last 10 years.
“I hope he can leave Juve the way I did the first time, lifting the Coppa Italia trophy as captain.”
Barzagli has already retired and was part of Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus coaching staff last season, for the better part of a decade forming the famous BBC defence with Leonardo Bonucci and Chiellini.
“Even off the field, Chiellini gives you a sense of belonging to the Juve world,” said the former centre-back.
“Looking at him, you understand what that winning team was made of, because you need a great person before being a great player. He is one of the greatest defenders in the history of the club.”
The switch to three at the back was something of a trauma initially, despite the way they ended up being what Jose Mourinho referred to as university professors of defending.
“We were always accustomed to four-man defences, only Giorgio had been a left-back in his youth. It was new for everyone, but we started to gain trust that this could work.
“Giorgio is one of the few real man-markers left in the sport, one who likes contact with his opponents. Despite not being naturally very technical with the ball, he has really worked hard on playing out from the back too. He is a complete defender.
“If this is the end for him at Juve, then the team will above all lack his leadership.”
There are reports of offers from MLS, although Chiellini could also hang up his boots and begin a new career as a director at Juventus.
“I think he can do what he wants,” added Barzagli. “Don’t forget he’s one of the few professional players who also managed to get a degree. He has everything it takes to be a director, but he will decide if and when.”
Buffon e Barzagli: “Vi raccontiamo #Chiellini, la nostra roccia” #juveinter https://t.co/GD8rM3ywzD
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) May 11, 2022
Retire and worry about “the history of captaining Azzurri teams with the worst World Cup records in Italian history” Missed two world cups and were a disgrace in 2010 and 2014.
Mg, you forget he captained Italy to euro 2020 success?
People who trash talk Chielini are the most clueless football viewers ( can’t even be called fans ) ever.
The guy literally gave his all to Juventus and Azzurri for almost 2 decades.
What a dumb comment. It’s not Chiellini’s fault he had to play with strikers like Graziano Pelle, Eder, and Immobile, etc…
I’ll also reveal a non-secret: He’s a cheat
I’m an Inter fan and I have to admit he’s certainly one of the best of his generation behind baresi,nesta etc,but anyone bashing him is clueless