Giorgio Chiellini sets aside the ‘problem with Juventus in general’ and focuses on Italy against a Northern Ireland side that is ‘diametrically opposed’ to the Azzurri.
The Azzurri begin their 2022 World Cup qualifiers tomorrow with Northern Ireland at the Stadio Tardini in Parma at 19.45 GMT.
Their group also contains Bulgaria, Switzerland and Lithuania, but curiously these qualifiers are played before Euro 2020, which was postponed from last summer.
Giorgio Chiellini sets aside the ‘problem with Juventus in general’ and focuses on Italy against a Northern Ireland side that is ‘diametrically opposed’ to the Azzurri.
The Azzurri begin their 2022 World Cup qualifiers tomorrow with Northern Ireland at the Stadio Tardini in Parma at 19.45 GMT.
Their group also contains Bulgaria, Switzerland and Lithuania, but curiously these qualifiers are played before Euro 2020, which was postponed from last summer.
“It is a bit strange, but we don’t risk under-estimating this game, as we were burned a few years ago with World Cup qualifiers,” said Chiellini in his press conference.
“We cannot get it wrong and I am not worried about the mentality or maturity of the group, even if it won’t be an easy game for many reasons.
“Northern Ireland as a team are diametrically opposed to ours in terms of characteristics. If they manage to block off all the spaces, then they can become dangerous.”
Chiellini is one of the remaining old guard in Roberto Mancini’s squad, but they are bringing in many new and younger faces.
“It’s wonderful to see the group grow and the best thing I saw over the last two plus years is that we’re all interchangeable. The team has always done well even when changing the line-ups, which means there’s a common idea that has been assimilated by everyone.
“Even when we were missing key players like Marco Verratti, Jorginho or Leonardo Bonucci, the team kept going the same, and that’s the best thing.
“What excites me is knowing we’ll have a Nazionale in 2022-26 with these young lads who will be in their prime at that time. There’s this huge potential and we tasted what we can do against the Netherlands in the Nations League, especially in Amsterdam.
“Holland changed their style of play to deal with us and that shows we’ve earned that respect. We’ll see in June, because there aren’t as many test matches to prepare for the tournament as in previous years.”
Naturally, Chiellini was also asked about the problems he is experiencing at Juventus under Andrea Pirlo after the defeat to Benevento.
“The team didn’t do what we hoped this year, but the problem is Juventus in general. I don’t think I should answer any more questions on that, as we are here for international duty.”