Chiesa: ‘There is talent in Italy, it needs to be used properly’

Federico Chiesa scored his first international goal in two years to seal a 3-2 Nations League win against the Netherlands and sees a bright future. ‘There is talent in Italy, it just needs to be used properly.’

The Juventus winger came off the bench again in the Nations League, first in a 2-1 defeat to Spain, then this afternoon’s 3-2 victory over the Netherlands to clinch third place in the competition.

He got the winner after initial Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi efforts, as he initial seemed as if he was going to roll across for a tap-in, but instead surprised the goalkeeper at the far bottom corner following the step-over against Virgil van Dijk.

“I am happy with the goal and for the team. Perhaps we deserved more over the two games,” Chiesa told Sky Sport Italia.

There were seven changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Spain and this performance again suggests it is time Roberto Mancini drops the old guard to bring in new faces.

“We are ready, I think we proved that over the last few years. There is talent in Italy, it just needs to be used properly,” assured Chiesa.

“Mancini has done that with great courage, bringing through players like for example Nicolò Zaniolo for international duty before he’d even played a single Serie A match.

“Obviously, there were some wonderful moments, some less great, but this is football and we can look to the future with positivity.”

Chiesa is still trying to rediscover his form after the devastating anterior cruciate ligament tear in January 2022, struggling for consistent playing time also due to recurring injuries.

“It has been a very difficult year for me, it ended better than it started. It will already be an improvement that next season I will be able to take part in training with the rest of the team, which I’ve not been able to do for a while.”