Ahead of Juventus’ clash with AC Milan, their director of football, Giorgio Chiellini, has spoken about their hosts for Sunday’s game.
Chiellini is no stranger to several elements of Sunday. As a player, he faced Milan on numerous occasions, then he played with and against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and then some of his best moments were directed by Massimiliano Allegri.
A game which he has more than a personal connection to, Chiellini is one of the more fascinating pieces of the current set-up. Like Ibra, he has headed into a director role after hanging up his boots and ahead of the fixture, he was a prime candidate to speak to the press.
Chiellini
So, in the run-up to Sunday’s Champions League chasing clash, Chiellini spoke to DAZN about a number of topics, including a ‘dream’ about the Rossoneri’s Scudetto chances earlier this season. Calciomercato.com have relayed his words.
Respect for Ibrahimovic…
“I’ve always considered him a champion. He didn’t win any Ballon d’Ors only because he had the misfortune of spending his career surrounded by Messi and Ronaldo, who are two aliens. Anyone who played with him knows how good Zlatan was and how much he could make a difference.
“He was my “enemy” because he always played on teams where there was greater rivalry; he also became a bit of a test for me as a defender. My “best” because we have a good relationship, the respect is mutual.
“I’m happy he’s still here in the world of football and that he can also be satisfied with life after his time on the pitch.”
Thoughts on Milan…
“Milan had a good season; they made us dream of keeping up with Inter. Personally, I believed what Max [Allegri] always said, that the real objective was the Champions League.
“If Inter had lost three or four more games, as happened last year, perhaps Milan could have even rejoined the competition, along with other teams, but realistically, right now, they’re more or less back where they were at the start of the season, with the exception of Como, who have done something extraordinary.”