Federico Chiesa looks forward to playing against Juventus teammate Alvaro Morata when Italy face Spain in the semi-finals of the European Championship on Tuesday.
The Azzurri and La Furia Roja clash in the last four of EURO 2020 and Chiesa expects another ‘tough match’ against Luis Enrique’s side.
“It will be a very difficult match against Spain,” Chiesa told Sky Sport Italia. “They keep the ball a lot. As we want to do. It will be a tough match, but like the ones we have faced so far.
“They have a different shape, they play 4-3-3, but we are more dynamic on the pitch with role shifts both in attack and defence. It’s not that we are inspired by Spain, but we have almost the same ideologies.
“Keeping the ball, pressing high and trying to dominate our opponent. Obviously the developments on the pitch are different.
“Spain have been doing it for several years, but we use our ball possession to finalise, to have more scoring opportunities, be more attacking and to dominate.”
And Chiesa admitted it’s easier to be a forward ahead of the ‘fantastic midfield’ at Italy.
“We have a fantastic midfield. It’s nice for a striker to have this midfield because the ball always comes with the right timing and you just have to be focused when it arrives,” he added.
The former Fiorentina player said he’s looking forward to playing against his Juventus teammate Alvaro Morata on Tuesday.
“We spoke and congratulated each other on the goals,” he said. “We will greet each other, I love him.
“He was one of the players who helped me fit in better when I arrived at Juve. It will be nice to meet him in this semi-final.”
Chiesa said he’s ‘of course’ dreaming of winning the Euros this summer, but vowed to stay focused on the game against Spain.
“Already, playing in such an important tournament for the national team is a dream come true. Then everything that is happening is something more.
“Of course, you dream and hope for it. You always want to play at the highest level, and this is the highest level of football.
“It’s another dream come true. But we must stay focused and clear on the game.”