Giorgio Chiellini believes Italian defending will once again return to being the envy of the world, as he praises the next generation.
The defender used today’s Press conference during Italy preparations for games with Croatia and Albania to talk of a generational gap he sees in Italian football.
Giorgio Chiellini believes Italian defending will once again return to being the envy of the world, as he praises the next generation.
The defender used today’s Press conference during Italy preparations for games with Croatia and Albania to talk of a generational gap he sees in Italian football.
However, he has also communicated his faith in the youngsters coming through the ranks at the moment, while assessing how the game has changed in recent years.
“Nowadays you also have zonal defences [as well as man-to-man],” Chiellini reflected ahead of Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday at San Siro.
“It’s not like it used to be. You’re taught to mark zonally a lot more now, I think it’s a personal thing, not only with regards to physical and football aspects, but mental aspects too.
“I believe that a new school of Italian defenders will come up, as they always have in the past. I hope we can soon see a return to the days of Cannavaro and Nesta.
“We have a lot of very good youngsters, like [Alessio] Romagnoli and [Daniele] Rugani, we hope they can lead a new school of Italian defending.
“I saw Daniele when he was growing up as a player. He got to the Juve primavera team, and I would have put money on him playing in Serie A one day.
“I have to congratulate him, he’s on a meteoric rise, he’s made Serie A and the national team in the space of a year.
“The congratulations are due not only for his age, but for his attitude. He takes things on board, and applies himself to be better every day.
“He doesn’t have the natural talent of [Lionel] Messi, but by working every day he got here.
“He will improve every year until he retires. It’s a very important gift, things have never gone to his head, even when joining the Juventus youth team, where it’s not easy to stay down to earth and work with humility when you’re 17-18.
“The education of young players has changed completely over the years. I’ve noticed that those who arrive in Serie A these days are more intelligent.
“There’s always an exception, the talented player whose ability can make up for a lack of hard work… but generally if you aren’t willing to sacrifice you won’t make it to Serie A.”
Continuing on the theme of hard work, Chiellini pointed to his Juventus colleague Carlos Tevez as an example of where Italy went wrong during a lacklustre win over Malta.
“Tevez chases opponents back [from the frontline] until he’s a metre in front of me [in defence], that’s the kind of application you need.
“In Malta we approached the game in the wrong way, without applying yourself you won’t get anywhere.”