Giorgio Chiellini has had a taste of international football and wants more as he targets the Champions League Final.
The Juventus man was the highlight of Italy’s Euro 2008 campaign, shining as a makeshift central defender.
“I didn’t expect to do so well, but it has to be a starting point rather than an achievement in itself,” he said as he picked up an award as best Azzurri player in the tournament.
“The fact Marcello Lippi is on the bench now doesn’t change much for me, I just need to work hard and be ready when called.”
Having impressed on the continental stage, Chiellini is eager to do so again when Juve return to the Champions League.
“We have so much hunger and I am enjoying my last few days of rest, but I am in constant contact with my teammates and the Coach. I’ve been training regularly to keep in top shape.
“I cannot wait to play in Europe again. I played six games in the Champions League with Fabio Capello’s Juventus, but this time I want to go all the way to the Final.”
It would be quite an achievement for a club that was in Serie B 12 months ago following the Calciopoli scandal.
“In these competitions the strongest on paper doesn’t always win. We’d need some epic results, but have everything needed to reach the Final.
“We have a strong foundation of the squad and more players on the way. It’s not easy to reconstruct a team of champions in two years, but we’re on the right track.”
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