Italy Legend Chiellini Breaks Silence on Famous Saka Shirt Pull at Euro 2020

Italy Legend Chiellini Breaks Silence on Famous Saka Shirt Pull at Euro 2020

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
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  • Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has finally spoken about the famous Euro 2020 Bukayo Saka shirt pull
  • The 37-year-old stopped the Arsenal winger from an attack that could have resulted in a winner for England
  • The famous shirt pull became a meme after the competition as Italy ended up as champions following a penalties shootout victory

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has broken his silence on the Bukayo Saka shirt pull in the final of the Euro 2020.

The outgoing Juventus defender in an attempt to stop an evasive Bukayo Saka, had to pull the Arsenal winger's shirt to stop an England attack.

A year after the incident and with the 37-year-old announcing his Italy resignation, the veteran defender explained it was the only mistake he made at the tournament.

Giorgio Chiellini. Italy, Bukayo Saka, Euro 2020
Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini has finally spoken about his famous Bukayo Saka shirt pull. Credit: Reddit @Euro2020
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"This became the symbol of Euro 2020 as a whole. The most heavily used meme of summer 2021. It was probably one of the only mistakes I made during the Euros," he said as quoted by Mirror.
"It was in the 90th minute and I'd read the flight of the ball, thinking I could shepherd it out of play when really I could have controlled it. But I was convinced I could put my body between Saka and the ball and let it go out of play, but he wriggled round me," he added with a broad smile on his face.

Chiellini's shirt pull resulted in a yellow card at the stroke of 90 minutes, forcing the game into extra time.

The Azzuris ended up as champions with Bukayo Saka among three England players who missed from the spot.

Italy return to winning ways after Finallissima defeat

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Italy showed character to bounce back from their recent slump in form to earn a deserved win 2-1 against Hungary in their Nations League group A3 encounter.

Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini were the heroes for the Azurri as their first-half goals were enough to deter any late comeback from Hungary.

Italy coach, Roberto Mancini was hoping for a perfect response from his team after losing to Argentina 3-0 in the Finalissima before earning a 1-1 draw in their Nations League opener against Germany.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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