THE OLD DOG HAS NEW TRICKS
IT’S GLORY AT LAST FOR WARRIOR CHIELLINI AS HE SHOWS WHY DEFENDING IS REAL ITALIAN ART FORM
BY stoppage time at the end 90 minutes of pure tension, the real Giorgio Chiellini had come out to play. This magnificent mixture of menace and joy was in his element now. The stakes were at their highest. And Chiellini’s eyes were set solely on a prize that simply couldn’t be allowed to escape from Italy’s collective grasp.
Nothing was going to get in his way. Not rival captain Harry Kane, who had dominated him in the opening period before being quelled. And certainly not a young upstart like Bukayo Saka.
A perfectly-timed challenge on the Arsenal prodigy brought one of Chiellini’s trademark celebrations. Coming from someone else, these little outbursts could look showy. Even daft. From the 36-year-old, though, it is simply feels like an expression of the sheer love of defending.
Chiellini does whatever it takes. That’s his job. Four minutes later, with extra-time almost upon Wembley, he found himself on the wrong side of Saka.
The youngster was bundled to the ground. A yellow card was accepted as an appropriate price. The danger to his dream had simply been too high.
Chiellini had been here before, of course. He was part of the Italian side hammered 4-0 by Spain in the 2012 European Championship final. A mere stripling of 27 back then, he has had to bide his time for a shot at redemption.
This was it now. The last chance. With every passing minute, his determination seemed to rise further.
A tremendous block on Raheem Sterling’s dangerous cross early in extra-time brought a fist-bump with fellow centre-back Leonardo Bonucci, whose second-half equaliser had dragged Italy this far. Later, a seemingly telescopic leg denied Sterling, twisting dangerously inside the area, as the minutes ticked down.
And so to penalties. And then the great explosion of pride and joy as Gianluigi Donnarumma made the decisive save from Saka.
Chiellini and Kane shared an embrace born of respect before Italy celebrated in earnest. Come the trophy presentation, the first half of normal time felt like an eternity ago. But Kane had been majestic then. It was an epic battle between the two skippers.
The opening goal, after just one minute and 57 seconds, had Kane at its heart. It began with an Italian corner for which Chiellini advanced.
Harry Maguire’s misplaced backpass had conceded the set-piece, but it was the Manchester United centre-back who cleared, allowing Luke Shaw to find Kane. The 27-year-old was still in his own half but his radar was switched on, scanning for space and signs of weakness ahead. It pinged with the sight of Kieran Trippier advancing rapidly to his right.
Kane’s pass was delivered with crisp elegance and accuracy, drawing none of the speed from the counter. Tripper picked out Shaw and — bang — England were ahead with the fastest-ever goal in the final of this competition.
Kane wears No 9 for his country but categorising him solely as a centre-forward does the breadth of his influence a huge disservice.
He has always been able to score. And probably always will be able to while his legs are functioning.
But his ability to drop deep and orchestrate play — taken to a new level over recent seasons — is every bit as significant a weapon. Italy took their time to find a way to stop him.
There was no doubt Kane also had the better of his central duel with Chiellini in the opening period. The veteran centre-back caught his Achilles with one unsuccessful attempt to undo Kane’s protection of the ball.
When it was played in the air, the England skipper showed both the strength to hold his ground and the leap to flick passes onwards.
One of those set Sterling free and very nearly combining with Mason Mount.
Italy improved towards the end of the half, but Chiellini would surely have demanded much more from colleagues — and, indeed, himself — during the interval.
An hour or two before kick-off, UEFA’s Twitter feed had captured the moment Chiellini stepped off the team coach in a Wembley concourse. He marched forward with a broad smile and fists pumping. Bear hugs with dispensed with a near-manic intensity. He was in the zone alright.
The national anthem was greeted with typical passion. His commitment is absolute. But getting the better of Kane was going to require every aspect of his game to function at its peak.
Chiellini was certainly perceived as winning his last contest against a counterpart captain. Recall the coin toss before the semi-final shoot-out against Spain?
Laughing loudly, he grabbed and jokingly punched a startled Jordi Alba. Italy got their preferred end. And won. With Chiellini, there is always the sense of a sharp mind working over-time in search of any advantage. And all his calculations helped Italy turn the tide after the break.
The message to stop Kane clearly reached Nicolo Barella. Two minutes after the restart, he reacted to a sublime touch from the England striker by chopping him to the ground. Out came the first yellow card from Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers.
But Italy were turning up the pressure with refreshed personnel. They had control now. And Chiellini played his part. When a 67th-minute corner caused panic inside the England area, he did enough to squeeze John Stones out of the equation.
Marco Verratti’s header was touched on to the post by Jordan Pickford and Bonucci reacted best to knock it into the net. Italy — and Chiellini — were on their way.
Chiellini and Kane shared an embrace born of respect before Italy celebrated