Giorgio Chiellini has outlined his belief that Italy must advance to the knockout stages at the World Cup because: “We can compete with anyone.”
The Azzurri are drawn in Group D of this summer’s tournament in Brazil, alongside England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Giorgio Chiellini has outlined his belief that Italy must advance to the knockout stages at the World Cup because: “We can compete with anyone.”
The Azzurri are drawn in Group D of this summer’s tournament in Brazil, alongside England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
With the League title out of the way, Chiellini admits that focus is on succeeding in advancing out of that group this summer.
“Until now we would not have focused on it. With lots of objectives you are too focused on those and you cannot think of anything else,” Chiellini has explained via a Google Hangout today.
“Now our objective is reached, so it is inevitable that our thoughts turn to the World Cup and already we begin to get excited.
“Definitely it will be a great adventure, I am convinced that it is essential for us to progress from the first round into the knockout stage because we are a team that can be really troublesome and can compete with anyone.
“We know we have a tough group but we also have a lot of enthusiasm and the desire to do well. We hope to continue the positive results that we have managed in the last three years.”
Chiellini, who also considered Juventus’ road to domestic success this season, was asked whether it really is an advantage to have club colleagues Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci alongside him in Italy’s back-line.
“Of course it helps us to know each other, because of the many times you are on the field you do not even have to look at each other to know where your teammate is – after so many matches together you know where your teammates are.
“Me, Andrea and Leo, we are aware of each other through memory after all these games together with Juve and in the national team it can definitely be an advantage and help for Prandelli.
“Then, he will make his decisions and also with the others there are no issues. But, to have a block of a team that players throughout the year together is an advantage.”