Giorgio Chiellini confirms he is leaving Juventus this summer and tips his hat to the winners after the Coppa Italia Final. ‘Inter proved throughout the season they are stronger.’
It was a dramatic Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico, with Nicolò Barella opening the scoring within seven minutes, then Alex Sandro and Dusan Vlahovic turned it around.
A debatable Hakan Calhanoglu penalty forced extra time, allowing Ivan Perisic to take centre-stage with two goals, including another spot-kick.
Juve also lost to Inter in Serie A and in extra time for the Supercoppa Italiana.
“It’s disappointing, especially as Inter certainly had more of the ball, but we had more than enough chances. Mattia Perin basically didn’t have to make a save, we conceded two fantastic goals and two penalties.
“Inter proved throughout the season they are stronger in all the head-to-head clashes, so that means something. I hope the anger of losing three out of four games against Inter will fire us up for next season.
“We know that you don’t win a Scudetto just in the big games, but every day. It’s a pity to end the season without trophies after a decade, but we need to use it as fuel for next season.”
It is the first season since 2010-11 that has Juventus empty-handed, the campaign under Gigi DelNeri.
Coppa Italia Final | Juventus 2-4 Inter aet: Thrilling Nerazzurri triumph
“We know that something didn’t work, there was a process of improvement, but we saw in the head-to-heads that we were not as strong as the others,” continued the veteran.
“With all due respect, Milan are not as strong a squad as Inter, yet they are ahead right now. That means it takes more than just quality and this team is missing something in terms of determination, hunger that characterised Juve for all these years and it needs to be found as soon as possible.
“There are eras and I went through it, I was there with two seasons of seventh-place finishes, the previous era had finished and the new one needed to emerge. We have to be aware of that.
“I think the coach is the best person to transfer that DNA to the squad in future and this team cannot afford to end another season without trophies.”
Chiellini had refused to discuss his future before the Final, but is now free to confirm he will leave at the end of this season.
“We had these 10 magnificent years, it’s up to the lads to continue now. I did everything I could, I hope that I left something. On Monday I will say goodbye to my Juventus Stadium, then if I’ve still got something in the tank might have a run-out in Florence.
“It is my choice 100 per cent, I am happy to leave at such a high level, because for many years I’ve said I didn’t want to finish struggling and not being able to play at my level.
“I gave it my all, soon I will be the biggest Juventus fan from the outside. After so many years within this club, you cannot shake it off.”