Chiellini postpones announcement on his future and aims dig at Inter

Giorgio Chiellini will reveal his future after the Coppa Italia Final and says he has won 19 trophies plus one, referring to the Serie A title revoked in 2005-06 after the Calciopoli scandal.

The Italy international will start in Juventus‘ defence in the Coppa Italia Final against Inter tomorrow. It is his last chance to win a trophy at the club. Chiellini has already won 19 cups in Turin and could make it 20 tomorrow.

“Actually, it would be 21,” he said at a press conference at the Stadio Olimpico attended by Football Italia.

“There is a rivalry, so why not fuel it with some old memories…”

Chiellini referred to the 2005-06 Scudetto won by Juventus, which was revoked and assigned to Inter following the Calciopoli scandal.

Chiellini’s contract expires in 2023, but he is expected to leave at the end of the season. Will he talk to Andrea Agnelli after tomorrow’s game in Rome?

“I wanted to wait for this final. I want to focus on football as long as there are some targets,” he said.

“I could have retired the day after winning the Euros. I may not have been here hadn’t VAR disallowed Austria’s goal [in the Round of 16]. Let’s live this game and then we’ll see.

“Juventus have great values, which I didn’t create, I’ve learned them,” he continued.

“When you arrived at Juventus, you understand what’s the difference with other clubs. Allegri has been to Milan and he can say it as well. I’ve learned Juventus’ mentality from Del Piero, Buffon, Pessotto, and Birindelli, who had learned from other legends in the past.

“Remember that I won nothing from 2006 until 2012, but this team will win again. It’s in the history of Juventus although it will be hard to win so many Serie A titles in a row in the future. The hegemony we had is possible in Germany or France when there is a team dominating. If Inter and Milan continue to grow, there will be more competition in Italy.”

Inter are still unbeaten against Juventus this season and won the Supercoppa against the Bianconeri in January. What game does Chiellini expect tomorrow?

“Inter have great players. They are a complete team and we saw it last season as well. They have great players, who we’ll need to stop. I think it’s impossible to judge their season now. Two trophies change everything. Simone Inzaghi has done a great job and it wasn’t easy after all that happened,” he said.

“I have the same enthusiasm as a kid, we want to win this trophy, knowing how difficult the game is. We lost the last match in Turin, but we have all it takes to win tomorrow.

“Both teams are in a good moment even if not exceptional. Inter are busy with the title race, we’ve reached our target, but of course we had different hopes. We need to understand the moments of the game tomorrow and suffer when needed.

“I don’t expect a game like Real Madrid vs. City because we have a different mentality. Had I been on the pitch, I’d be so angry, it was so nice to watch, but given our characteristics, it will be more similar to our last Serie A meeting.”

What’s his take on Juventus’ campaign and what would winning the Coppa Italia mean?

“I think we’ve improved this season after a tough start. We have our own identity, and reaching the top-four with three games to spare proved our development,” said Chiellini.

“We have rediscovered the qualities that this team must have. Tomorrow’s game is important also for the next season. By winning tomorrow, we could prepare better for the next season. It’s impossible to win all the time, but Juventus have a winning DNA.

“We have great memories in this stadium, I feel happy, I am calm and I am looking forward to playing tomorrow. Before a Final, there is a bit more tension, but the stadium will be sold out, and millions of fans will watch the game on TV. It’s nice that it’s a Juve-Inter too because all the fans want to win it.”