“I wanted to change my history with the World Cup, unfortunately I didn’t make it. On the contrary, I’ve always lived the European Championships as a protagonist and we won the last one. I have no regrets”. He spoke clearly Giorgio Chiellinijust as he has always done during his career, in the last conference as captain of Italy. The defender will say goodbye to the blue after the match on Wednesday 1 June at Wembley against Argentina (here all the latest training from Coverciano and the list of summoned for the final), but in the meantime the former Juventus player has opened the album of memories (but not only). Here are the full statements:
“I will miss all the boys. Over the years, I have really had the pleasure of sharing the locker room with many young people, they are little brothers. Over the years I have managed to live with a little more lightness and serenity everything we do, the experience shapes you and improves you and I believe it will be the same for today’s 20-year-olds “.
When did you first enter here?
“In ’99, for an Under 15 team. A little time has passed”.
Is there any regret for never having played the World Cup?
“I believe in destiny. In 2006 I was part of the group, but then rightly I did not go to Germany. In 2010 and 2014 we experienced disappointing World Cups but there were … I wanted to change my history with the World Cup, but unfortunately there is no ‘I did. On the contrary, I’ve always lived the European Championships as a protagonist and we won the last one. I have no regrets. I’m enjoying the last few weeks, first at Juventus and then with the national team. ”
What would you like to change about Italian football?
“I love him, otherwise I would have run away sooner. That we must improve then surely it is like this, I hope there will be the possibility at the regulatory level to do so. There are many blocks and, consequently, ideas and people have collided with insurmountable walls. . I now rest a little, but I hope we can have a little more space and freedom in the future “.
Will you return to Coverciano?
“You go back to Coverciano, whatever you want to do in the future … Coverciano has been a part of my life and it will be like that in the future. You always come back here, you remain tied to this place”.
Bonucci doesn’t have your serenity, what will the national team be like?
“Before me there was Buffon who was different, even before Cannavaro who is another type of person. For every captain and person, the important thing is to be yourself. The important thing is to be help and support for your teammates, but each with their own characteristics and Leo will do it well “.
Are you going to Los Angeles? When did you understand that Italy would make life more complicated during the World Cup?
“For my future I will evaluate everything later, I want to fully enjoy these days. After London, I will go with my girls to Disneyland and there is all June to decide. I did not think life could be complicated for the World Cup, the two draws in September they made me turn on the light bulb a little, then in November and March we didn’t get to the matches in the best conditions. Unfortunately the two matches in September complicated our life a bit for later, the same with Bulgaria even more likewise with Switzerland. Absences and non-optimal form conditions penalized us a little: I’m sorry, everyone’s sorry. We really believed we could have a good World Cup, this team could grow further this year and include new players. the coach Mancini is happy to remain, for me it is a guarantee of growth and with him we will be able to defend the European title in two years. to put in I count but to get back up it will be necessary to start again from this too and then to be ready in two years “.
What would you change at the regulatory level? What are your matches that you remember with the most pleasure in the national team?
“I do not express myself on the regulations, I do not speak from hearsay. The young people are there and the good ones are also playing. Many times a problem that I do not see is exacerbated: then there are some departments that are more crowded, others less but that is part of the moment … These guys are pursuing a path in the Under with a very high technical quality. We need to give people time to work and then evaluate them with great balance. It always takes balance in all moments of life and not to remain seated. We have to start from things done well, I am very confident for the future. We won the European Championship even unexpectedly, not being the strongest team, but I expect a lot of growth from this group. On my memories, I put the victory of the European Championship and the evening. Wednesday, I’m so happy. That stadium reminds me of the victory of the European Championship: for all these reasons I am here, otherwise I am not. Then there is the debut, which is always beautiful and magical. Going back to the European Championship, with whom I won or that competition I will always remain a brother all my life “.
Which defender do you think has a secure blue future?
“I believe that Bastoni has a bright future ahead of him. I have been telling him for a long time, since the first time I saw him. Then I don’t want to put too much weight on the new ones, because I don’t know them well. Bastoni just has to play, make mistakes and improve: a 23 years you can’t be perfect, but he has everything to make 10-12 years in the blue jersey “.
A word to define your career?
“Unimaginable. The national team is the dream of all children and I could not think of such a path”.
TMW – You are one of the greatest Italian defenders. Don’t you think that Italy, by necessarily wanting to copy other models, has lost its specificity?
“I believe that things can coexist. Surely we have great potential that we cannot waste. I grew up seeing Fabio Cannavaro who, in my opinion, was the greatest scorer. We must not lose the pleasure of contact with the opponent, with the ‘striker. We should put some old-fashioned defender in the youth sectors. Then, of course, we can evolve, I myself have evolved over the course of my career. ”
Have you been the Captain you wanted to be?
“I have been myself. I have already said it, everyone brings his characteristics to the locker room, I am a calm and serene person and I have tried to transmit these values to others”.
What will your last speech to the team be?
“I haven’t thought about it yet. But I’m not a big talker, I’m more of a hug person. I’ll probably try to make them smile.”
What does your family think about moving to California?
“Forget it (laughs, ed). Surely you will also need his ok – he says with a smile -, as well as that of others”.
Do you have any regrets for the Champions League and the World Cup?
“I have no regrets. Of course, I wanted to win the Champions League and the World Cup but what I have learned in the course of my growth is also the culture of defeat, the desire to overturn the situation after losing”.
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