Giorgio Chiellini lauds Italy for ‘making history’ with their shootout victory over England and says penalty hero Gianluigi Donnarumma ‘is the same’ as Gianluigi Buffon
Giorgio Chiellini has lauded his side for making ‘history’ with their Euro 2020 triumph against England in a penalty shoot-out.
Italy lifted the trophy after a heartbreaking loss for Gareth Southgate’s men, as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed from the spot.
After the game veteran centre-back Chiellini said he was glad to overcome a ‘difficult’ night after conceding an early goal.
Italy clinched the European Championship after a penalty shoot-out win over England
Veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini said Italy made ‘history’ with their victory at Wembley
Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero as he saved two penalties during the shoot-out
He said: ‘It was a tough game we started in the worst way possible with England scoring after 2 minutes.
‘Difficult for us with all the fans in the stadium give them energy to win. But we was quiet and calm which was important. Then we start to play play play. We find the right pass, we find the right shot, this is the way to win.’
When asked about what they had accomplished he responded his side made history and brought up the defensive hero of their 2006 World Cup success, Fabio Cannavaro.
He said: ‘It’s a dream come true it’s unbelievable. We feel some magic in the start of the competition and it’s grown day by day.
Chiellini compared Donnarumma to his former Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon
‘We feel inside to come in Wembley, it’s too difficult but I’m so happy, more than happy. We’ve seen the image of Cannavaro and now we are lucky altogether.’
Chiellini also had special praise for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his penalty shoot-out heroics.
The Juventus defender played with Gianluigi Buffon in the past and said the goalkeeper who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain is similar.
He said: ‘I was lucky as I played with Gianluigi Buffon, now I play with Gigi Donnarumma and it’s the same.’