Giorgio Chiellini insists Italy only need to ‘be ourselves’ in the World Cup play-offs with North Macedonia and either Portugal or Turkey, assuring he is ready to play.
The semi-final kicks off on Thursday at 19.45 GMT at the Stadio Barbera.
“We were unlucky in the first game with Bulgaria and could’ve done better, but we dominated both matches with Switzerland and didn’t take our chances to win,” said Chiellini in his press conference.
“I don’t think we need anything extraordinary to get us back to the level we saw at Wembley. We need humility, because North Macedonia are not here as a fluke, there are players we know and recognise from their club football.
“We just need to be ourselves, play our football and do it calmly, everything that allowed us to lose very few matches in the last three years.
“Those who experienced the disappointment of four years ago will also have the experience and calm to keep their emotions under control, because that was a very important lesson we learned.”
Leonardo Bonucci is out, but will Chiellini be able to play tomorrow after one half of football for Juventus at the weekend?
“I am fine, I’ve been training well and I had a few doubts, but I’ve actually done alright and am happy to be here.
“There is another training session, the coach will make his choices, but I am available. Considering the last month, training without problems is already an achievement.”
Chiellini won EURO 2020, but also experienced two dreadful World Cup tournaments with Italy, and failed to qualify at all in 2018.
“I don’t need a good World Cup to close my career, but it would be nice to turn the trend! I always had wonderful experiences with the Euros, not so much with the World Cup, but hopefully we can end on a high.
“It’s an important target for all of us, we can all feel the enthusiasm from the fans and we just need to be ourselves.
“We mustn’t go into this with tension or feeling that if we lose it will go down in history. We have to play with belief in ourselves, not fear, even if that means a sprinkle of arrogance. We should enjoy the occasion.”
LIVE TMW – Italia, Chiellini: “Non dobbiamo fare nulla di straordinario, sappiamo cosa fare” https://t.co/ojKFftt1qT
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