Chiellini slams "stupid" Juve

Chiellini slams "stupid" Juve
Sunday 19 October, 2008

Giorgio Chiellini concedes Juventus made “stupid errors” to throw away three points in Naples.

“It is a tough time, we cannot hide that. Unfortunately we are coming off negative results and feel bitter about losing a game we thought that we were in a great position to win,” said the defender.

The Bianconeri were leading 1-0 at the San Paolo through Amauri, but howlers allowed Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi to turn it around.

“After taking the lead paradoxically we froze up and made two stupid errors. We had lost our identity for those decisive five or 10 minutes.

“We cannot afford that kind of slip-up at the moment and have to be on alert the whole time.

“We can’t cry over spilt milk now and must focus on working together to get back on track against Real Madrid on Tuesday and turning around this negative trend.”

Claudio Ranieri is inevitably under fire following a second straight Serie A defeat, but Chiellini stood by his tactician.

“I find it ridiculous to blame the Coach when you look at our injury list, as there were only 14 available players today.”

They made the trip without Momo Sissoko, Gigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi, Cristiano Zanetti, David Trezeguet, Jonathan Zebina, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Tiago Mendes, Olof Mellberg and Nicola Legrottaglie.

To make matters worse ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Christian Poulsen picked up a muscular problem and is likely to miss out too.

*chn4