Chiellini: We thought Mancini was crazy

“Paradoxically, we also thought he was crazy at the beginning when he told us that we should set our minds on winning the European Championship,” said the 36-year-old on “uefa.com” about the first time under Mancini, who took over the team at its absolute lowest point after missing the 2018 World Cup. “But during this time he actually formed a team that made it to the final.” Chiellini is looking forward to the European Championship final against England on Sunday (21.00 p.m.) at Wembley Stadium. “Now what we have been dreaming of for three years is about to happen. “What the coach gradually drilled into us until it became reality,” said the Juventus professional. “We are playing for the whole of Italy and hope that we can experience another fantastic evening together.” The team did an “extraordinary” job. The central defender is particularly looking forward to the duel with England captain Harry Kane. “It will be very difficult against Kane,” said Chiellini. "He's a complete player, he can drop and use his teammates, he scores with his head, he scores from distance, he scores from close," he said. Nevertheless, his team approached the game without fear, but with respect. “They have quality, but we also have quality in all parts of the team.” For the 36-year-old, the title would be the crowning achievement of his career in the national team, which began in 2004. “Winning is just as nice at 37 as it is at 21,” he said. “Maybe when you’re 37 you’ll enjoy it more because you know how difficult it is and what’s behind it.”

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Chiellini: We thought Mancini was crazy

According to captain Giorgio Chiellini, Italy's national soccer team no longer believed in itself at the beginning of coach Roberto Mancini's term in office.

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