Football Italia
José Mourinho believes Giorgio Chiellini’s foul on Bukayo Saka ‘shows everything’ about Italy’s defensive solidity.
The 36-year-old fouled the Arsenal winger just before the end of regular time of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final.
The England international sprinted past Chiellini, who pulled his opponent to the ground tugging on his collar. The Juventus defender was shown a yellow card, which he accepted without protest.
Roma coach José Mourinho commented on Chiellini’s foul, suggesting it explains everything about the defensive solidity of the Azzurri.
“What Chiellini did with Saka shows everything. He made his only mistake of the game, he lost the turn on the touchline. Saka was going: ‘You are not going, you stay with me, the shirt is mine and you are not going,” the Special One told TalkSport.
“He knows what he is doing. This is a top defender and a very clever guy. I played Juventus with Manchester United a couple of seasons ago, and after the game at Old Trafford, I said something like: ‘These two guys should go to University of Sports and give lectures on how to be a central defender.
👏 “What Chiellini did with Saka shows everything. This is a top defender.”
👨🎓 “Chiellini and Bonucci should got to university and give lectures on how to be a central defender.”
José Mourinho hails #ITA’s defensive partners Bonucci and @Chiellini pic.twitter.com/PwUL9aY89h
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 12, 2021
“Even a couple of years later, they are still capable of doing this. Probably Chiellini is not capable of doing it every three days, sometimes he needs a rest, sometimes he has a little injury as it happened at the beginning of the competition, but they are both prepared to be at the highest level.”
Chiellini and Mourinho will meet again in Serie A next season.
The Italian centre-back will soon sign a contract extension with Juventus as his deal with the Old Lady had expired on June 30.
Mourinho has signed a three-year with Roma and begun the pre-season with the Giallorossi last week.
After the EURO 2020 Final against England, Chiellini admitted he still doesn’t know if he will participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but his teammate Leonardo Bonucci admitted he would try to convince him.
This Story First Appeared At The Football Italia
