Chiellini: The biggest one yet
Giorgio Chiellini is under no illusions of the magnitude of Wednesdays semi-final return leg against Real Madrid: Its our most important game in 12 years
Giorgio Chiellini says the Bianconeri are eager to run out at the Santiago Bernabeu and play the clubs most prestigious and important game for the last 12 years, Wednesdays Champions League semi-final return leg against Real Madrid.
A steady run to the competitions final four and last weeks 2-1 first-leg victory over Los Blancos mean Juventus travel to Spain with high hopes of reaching Junes final act in Berlin, but the defender says theres a long way to go until supporters can start booking their flights to the German capital.
Speaking to Sky, Chiellini began: We cant wait for Wednesday evening to come. This is the most prestigious and important game Ill be playing in since I joined the club. Ive been here for ten years and 12 have gone past since we last reached a semi-final.
Weve got better and matured as the competitions worn on and getting past the last 16 and then the quarter-finals gave us added awareness in our own abilities.
Weve never been as close as we are now, but weve still got 95 really tough minutes to get through. The finals still a long way away and well need a super performance to get there.
One of the Bianconeris aims will be to silence a feisty 80,000 capacity crowd in Madrid, with Chiellini looking to draw inspiration from his previous victorious experience at the famous footballing venue.-
The entire stadium will be right behind them and well have to try and put them under pressure. They are, however, experienced internationals who certainly wont be intimidated by the odd whistle by their own fans.
We know that we cant park the bus and try to keep it goalless, but we need to do well when covering and breaking out from the back.
Ive played at the Bernabeu twice and we hope it doesnt end like last year, when we lost and I was sent off, but instead like the first game, when we won thanks to Del Pieros dou