Giorgio Chiellini admits his injury is more serious than he anticipated, but is confident Italy ‘will put in a great performance’ against Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
The Azzurri and Juventus captain had to leave the Coverciano training ground today due to a thigh issue, as it was confirmed he would not be fit enough to play in either of the World Cup qualifiers.
“Unfortunately, I have to pull out due to an injury, but I will be close to my teammates for this important game we have coming up,” Chiellini told RAI Sport.
“I am calm, confident, the same sentiments that our coach is transmitting to the group. I am certain we will achieve the target of World Cup qualification.
“I was here and thought it was something less serious, but I realised I am going to need a few more days to rest. As I said before, we are a great squad and the secret of this three-year period is that even by changing the personnel, the team performance remains the same.
“We will put in a great performance, I am relaxed. I will be in Rome to stay close to the team, but not to play.”
It is a head-to-head with Switzerland for the top of the 2022 World Cup qualifying group, as they are currently neck-and-neck, separated only by goal different.
Just the top team will get a direct pass into the World Cup, with the runners-up going into the play-offs.
Italy have lost Chiellini, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolò Barella to injury already, along with players like Marco Verratti who were never called up.
“All the national teams are in an emergency situation at the moment, as the fixture list is so packed there’s no time to recover. Switzerland have many absentees too.”
Nel pomeriggio #Azzurri in visita all’Ospedale Pediatrico @bambinogesu, #Chiellini: “E’ incredibile l’energia che riescono a trasmetterci questi bambini”
L’intervista 👉 https://t.co/IocctbSk7h@Azzurri @chiellini pic.twitter.com/iMDyFuEkJG— RaiSport (@RaiSport) November 10, 2021
Think people are starting to realise just how exceptional he is now. Bastoni can carry that tradition on but it seem’s as if Chiello is a vanishing breed. He’s like the stoic, “John Wayne” of defending, Marshall Giorgio! He’ll be remembered up there with the “Berlin Wall” Il Capitano + Sandro Il Generale. They MAY have had more natural talent but it’s their drive + leadership which are just as important. The way he grabbed that English lad “come here” by the neck, without a moment’s hesitation like Mortal Combat’s Scorpion? He was takin’ that trophy, for better or for worse, one way or another, back home to Italy. Some people were outraged, calling him dirty! But of course to Chiello, it’s not even cheating! It’s professionalism. It’s takin’ one for your team-mates + your country. That’s what the “fair-play” crowd don’t get! Yeah, it was a foul, but rather than focus on all the assistance + advantages they had, they blame the loss on a foul! 🤭 He’s not a crook, he’s a gent with a big heart who’d do anything to get his team over the line! They’re doing right by breeding him out slowly I think too, so the next guy isn’t just thrown in at the deep-end! Big shoes to fill them though.
@House Party – you’ve nailed it. Italy used to churn out exceptional defenders but now they’re a dying breed. It’s not just Italy, though. Tiki taka destroyed defences because everyone wanted to be an attacker. But great defending is an art and Chiellini is a maestro…a real joy to watch.
@House Party…
Absolutely correct and brilliant!
@House Party Once again … excellently put!