Giorgio Chiellini warns Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are not the only danger for Juventus in the Champions League final.
The Blaugrana’s ‘MSN’ front-three are widely considered to be the most deadly attack in world football, but the defender – who will miss the game through injury – warns the focus can’t be entirely on that trio.
“Ultimately, Messi, Neymar and Suarez are not the only ones in the team,” Chiellini explained, speaking to UEFA’s official website.
Giorgio Chiellini warns Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are not the only danger for Juventus in the Champions League final.
The Blaugrana’s ‘MSN’ front-three are widely considered to be the most deadly attack in world football, but the defender – who will miss the game through injury – warns the focus can’t be entirely on that trio.
“Ultimately, Messi, Neymar and Suarez are not the only ones in the team,” Chiellini explained, speaking to UEFA’s official website.
“There is a great squad around them and other players create passages of play for the forwards to do damage, a lot of damage.
“But I think that with the qualities we have at our disposal we can certainly contain them. There will be no man-marking for Messi, Neymar or Suarez.
“The only way to stop them is with the whole team.”
The Bianconeri have been relatively disappointing in Europe before this season, and the Italian international hails their progression.
“I think this Juventus is a very hard side to beat. We've always had quality but this growth has come step by step.
“In recent years we haven't made great inroads in the Champions League and we didn't start the group stage that well this season either.
“We've grown a lot since then. The team have developed and we've turned it around.
“The group has grown and we are a very tight-knit group. Everybody contributes something to the team and I think the Champions League final is the result of this consistent growth both individually and as a unit.
“It's important to have a group with experience. I think we have that with the Italians in the team who form the backbone.
“It is the Italian attitude, history and culture which place greater emphasis on certain things.
“In recent years, unfortunately, we did not manage to keep up with the times. This season we have a great opportunity to show that Italian football, with all its pros and cons, can also compete with the very best.
“Alongside that experienced group, other people have joined who have clearly contributed to raising the level of the team with their experience, quality and individual attributes.”
Juventus are the least-favoured team with bookmakers in the recent history of the competition, but Chiellini does not believe there is less pressure on the Old Lady.
“I think that when you reach the final, being an underdog or not does not count for a lot,” the 30-year-old mused.
“There is the pressure, a lot of pressure, and the will to win as well.
“So it will certainly be a very difficult match in which small details will be important, meaning you have to be even more careful.”