When the side was about to be selected for the penalty shootout, Alba was literally teased by Chiellini. The Italian now reveals why.
Giorgio Chiellini, captain of the Italian national team, explained the scene between him and Spain’s captain Jordi Alba at the European Championship semi-finals in an interview with the Italian Football Association.
When choosing sides before the penalty shoot-out between the Squadra Azzurra and the Furia Roja, Chiellini suddenly seemed very amused and teased the much more serious-looking Alba with loud shouts and teasing. Among other things, he patted the Barca player on the cheek and raised him in the air.
EM semifinals: Alba was jokingly dubbed a “liar” by Chiellini
The Juve center-back dismissed the following speculations as exaggerated: “Much more was said than actually happened. We had to choose the side on which the penalties should be taken and the referee said: ‘Red for one side, blue for the other. ‘”
Alba then thought that he had won the side election, so Chiellini, “but I am amused to point out that this was not the case.” Audible for the audience, the Italian shouted “Mentiroso, Mentiroso”, in German: “Liar, Liar”.
After an intense 120 minutes there was a 1-1 draw between Italy and Spain on the scoreboard. The subsequent penalty shootout was won by the Squadra Azzurra and met England in the final on Sunday.
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