Jorginho: 'I've learned at Chelsea'

By Football Italia staff

Italy midfielder Jorginho praised Finland’s Teemu Pukki as “a complete striker” and confessed he has learned from his time at the Premier League with Chelsea.

It kicks off in Tampere on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

The Azzurri have a 100 per cent record, while the only time the Finns dropped points was in their opening 2-0 defeat to Italy back in March.

“We’ll go out there to win, regardless of who plays and which characteristics they bring to the table. The important thing is the Coach has plenty of options to choose from,” said Jorginho in a Press conference.

The undoubted star of the Finland side is Teemu Pukki, who has lit up the Premier League with Norwich.

“He is their most important player, but we should keep a close eye on all of them. Finland are not a surprise, as the quality of their players is evident and they work as a team.

“Pukki has a bit of everything, which makes him a complete striker. He times his runs well, is very intelligent in his positioning, runs hard, presses opponents and never stops moving.

“He protects the ball, can provide assists, he really is dangerous. It’s no coincidence that he’s the current Premier League top scorer.”

Jorginho has grown into his Premier League experience more this season, even after Maurizio Sarri was replaced by Frank Lampard.

“I think I had a fantastic first season and it was fundamental for my growth process. I am stronger in defence now, I go into challenges with more determination and control the game. The Premier League has forced me to develop different skills.

“Roberto Mancini is putting his faith in me for the Nazionale and I am trying to prove on the field that I deserve that. I think more than anything I just had the characteristics to suit his idea of football.

“I’d love to score a goal tomorrow, but I’d be even happier if we came away with three points.”

Italy struggled to break down 10-man Armenia in Yerevan on Thursday, but eventually secured a 3-1 win.

“It was difficult to get to grips with the pitch, as it bounced in a very irregular fashion. You looked at the ball, glanced up to see the other player movements and then it was gone. We struggled to impose our style of football due to our characteristics of playing with the ball to feet.”

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