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We realised long before now that Giorgio Chiellini was cut from a slightly different cloth. Team-mate Leonardo Bonucci is perhaps the only other player in world football who seems to treat defending like a religious experience.
Every block, every tackle, every bruising duel is merely another sacrifice of flesh.
It remains wonderfully novel to watch. Less so Chiellini’s approach to penalties in Tuesday’s semi-final against Spain. In fact, there was something rather menacing, almost unhinged, about the defender in the minutes before Italy booked their spot in the final.
For most people, shootouts have become an exercise in torture. For countries like ours, they were once a high-speed commute to grief and self- loathing. Perhaps that’s why Chiellini caused such a jolt at Wembley. There is no need to sugar coat it: this was masochism dressed in Azzurri blue.
Giorgio Chiellini's unhinged, menacing act before penalties proved decisive on Tuesday
The Italian captain and Spain's Jordi Alba tried to win marginal gains ahead of the shootout
As both managers finalised their line-ups, the defender joined Spain’s stand-in skipper Jordi Alba for the coin toss. On arrival, he grabbed his opposite number under his right arm and tugged him close.
After the coin hit the floor,
