"We have been working well for a week and there are all the conditions to have a good season. It will be a year of sacrifice. We must start from zero and reconstruct the base but this is normal after what happened last year".
Giorgio Chiellini immediately joined in the philosophy of Del Neri and the club: working hard and not let too much enthusiasm take over. The defender knows he is part of a strong team but he knows just as well that the field will decide:
"The managerial cycle has ended, some players have changed there is much renewal going on and it is normal that time is needed. Three years ago we would have hoped to be on a different level, last year we thought we could do well and win something but we know how things went. Now we must examine our conscience, understand were we went wrong and work in order to improve".
When asked which are the objectives of Juve for next season, Giorgio remained with his feet firmly on the ground: "Realistically, when looking at last year, it is hard to win immediately. The gap from Inter is still quite big and even the supporters must understand it will be a year of reconstruction. A year zero, under many aspects and to say today that we can win the scudetto would be eluding them".
"The realistic object I think is to qualify for the Champions League and the fact that we are not taking part in it this season, really bothers us. We must rebuild the group and the team and this will happen only one match at a time and one training session after another. We are learning what the coach wants but we still have a long way to go and he was the first to tell us in a more direct manner".
With regards to Del Neri, Chiellini underlined the excellent impression he got: "He brought his ideas just as he did in every team he coached. We are trying to understand them and to find that compactness that we lacked last year and which was our greatest asset in previous years".
He was asked what he though of Diego in his new role and what impression he got of Felipe Melo after the World Cup disappointment:
"At these levels it is not a player who changes the team but the team that can change the performances of a player. Messi too did not manage to win the World Cup…if the team does well Diego too will do well. Melo seemed tranquil. After a while everything passes and I say this from experience because even though in a different manner even I was really disappointed in South Africa. We must overcome this and start again".
The Europa League preliminary is round the corner and Giorgio, after the 90 minutes played against Lyon is ready: "I am not the type who manages to stay put for long and so I worked during the holidays and I was a bit advantaged when we met again. Obviously, for the best physical condition I need some more time but I am ready to play".
"You say we are missing a central defender? At the moment there are 3 of us and Ferrero who can give us a hand if necessary and if we are well we are enough for the first part of the season. Clearly, we will need another central defender for the rest of the year and the club is looking for one".
Speaking of the transfer market, the press in the last few weeks had also spoken of Chiellini: "This sort of talk is normal but I never thought of leaving and the club confirmed this. I never felt I was on the transfer list even though before one speaks of this in person some doubts remain".
"As from our first meeting we were on the same wavelength both with the management and the technical staff. They are excellent persons and the first approach was very positive with all of them. The contract? I am really tranquil and am giving the maximum. On Thursday we have an important match that if underestimated would bring risks that I do not even want to think of".
"After this I will meet with the director. It took take a week more or less but we will reach an agreement. I am greatly bound to this club, to the supporters and this city. I joined when I was just a child, just over 20 years of age and I became a man and grew up as a footballer here. I think I will stay here for many years to come even though I cannot promise anything because this also depends on the club but I think we have the same will".
Just like in the case of Giorgio, the transfer rumours do not bother anyone from the team: "We speak very little of this in the dressing rooms and everybody seemed tranquil. Rumours exist but one must see how much of them is true. I think that in the recent weeks only Buffon and Del Piero did not feature in transfer rumours. I saw everyone with a great desire of a comeback and the commitment was unconditioned".
Finally a thought about the return match of the preliminaries which will be played in Modena and not in Turin: "In Summer it is nice to play in cities where we do not normally play during the season, just like in the case of Cosenza were we found great enthusiasm. I read that in Modena the stadium will be packed…It is nice to also see places away from Turin".
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