He was recently crowned European champion with his club, Chelsea, after raising the cup they call 'Old Big Ears' to the sky in Porto and now he hopes to be able to replicate that European triumph in the international competition at UEFA Euro 2020: Jorginho does not have less hunger than before, rather the contrary: “I have even more desire to win - underlined the Azzurri midfielder - and I don't want to stop now, because I've felt certain emotions in my bones and I want to relive them with the blue shirt on, with this wonderful group of fantastic guys.

Yesterday we saw our next opponents from Switzerland in their match against Wales: They are an excellent team, they are organised, they have been led by the same coach for years and we will certainly have to be careful.

My game? It’s made up of passes that try to unhinge the opponent's defensive set-up. Often they may seem ‘dull’, but you have to see what happens after that play. If I’ve reached this level I owe it to all the coaches I’ve met on my journey and to all the teammates I’ve had in my career: I have always tried to observe and improve myself, taking criticism in a constructive way without letting it break me down.

My role model? When I was little I used to watch the great strikers, and I was inspired by them. Then at the age of thirteen, my coach moved me further behind, from attack to midfield, in front of defence: Since then, I began to look at Pirlo and Xavi more frequently, trying to learn from their movements.

I believe that communication on the pitch is very important: playing in midfield I can see how the game develops and I give as much information as possible to my teammates so they can do their job better. Sometimes I finish matches almost without a voice".

It was only right to then give thoughts to Christian Eriksen after what happened during the Denmark vs. Finland match: "What happened left everyone breathless. In those moments I thought of his teammates, his family and his wife who was right there on the pitch. I can only wish him good luck and tell him to stay strong”.

Shortly before Jorginho's conference at the Media Centre at Coverciano, the head of the Medical Team of Club Italia, Andrea Ferretti, commented: "I don't know the exact details and I can't say anything about the event, but if Eriksen is still alive we owe it to the doctors' intervention being prompt and to the structure put in place by UEFA on how to act in such tragic moments".

Ferretti continued: "Verratti's recovery programme is going ahead as planned. Will he be in the match against Switzerland? There are still three days to go and there is still the so-called 'last mile' to go, the most challenging one”.

 

Itinerary (all times CEST) 

Monday 14 June
** 14:00 – Players meet media
*17:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Tuesday 15 June
11:00 – Transfer Florence-Rome
**16:45 – Press conference, Coach + 1 player at Hotel Parco dei Principi
*19:15 – Training at the Olympic Center Giulio Onesti (behind closed doors except for first 15 mins)

Wednesday 16 June
21:00 – Italy vs. Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico. Press conference/media duties after full-time. 

Thursday 17 June
*17:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Friday 18 June
** 14:00 – Players meet media
*17:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Saturday 19 June
11:00 – Transfer Florence-Rome
**16:45 – Press conference, Coach + 1 player at Hotel Parco dei Principi
*19:15 – Training at the Olympic Center Giulio Onesti (behind closed doors except for first 15 mins)

Sunday 20 June
18:00 – Italy vs. Wales at the Stadio Olimpico. Press conference/media duties after full-time. 

N.B. Timetables are subject to possible change
* photos will be taken and shared by FIGC 
**media access will be limited to reduced numbers

 

 

NOTE FOR EDITORS - By clicking on the following link https://dam.gettyimages.com/s/8rg3k7fjq5gq2j7kntpqgsv you may download some images of the press conference with Jorginho and Ferretti. The images can be used by entering as Credits: Getty for Figc. In the evening, training photos will be provided.