Chiellini: 'Art of defending lost' by FootballiTalia
Giorgio Chiellini called winning “a drug” for Juventus and fears “the art of defending” has been lost in Italy, but insists he was “always fair.”
The centre-back spoke to Undici magazine about his past, present and future in Turin.
“This season is no less motivating than any other, because for years Juventus have been racing only against ourselves,” said Chiellini.
“I can’t choose between our victories, as they are all wonderful, and it’s not true that in the end it becomes boring. Winning is like a drug. It’s something you need, because if you feel that emotion once, you do everything to experience it again.”
He is known as a rather rugged defender who relishes breaking up the opposition play.
“You have to disturb the movements of the opposition strikers and prevent them, doing things that make them short-circuit. I have always been like that and I think that’s how you ought to go into these grand duels.
“I’m certainly not a pleasant player to face on the field, but I’m always fair. Nowadays I am less impulsive, as I can reflect on my actions better. When I was 22 years old, every game was a battle, even a war, because at that age I could just let out all my tension and adrenaline.
“Even then, I wasn’t nasty, but I was a pain to play against. Now I’ve become accustomed to it, but back then you don’t know where to direct your energy and tension.”