Juventus stand by Chiellini

Juventus have defended Giorgio Chiellini after he was attacked by Milan for his comments about Zlatan Ibrahimovic in midweek.

The Italian international claimed that Ibra had slapped goalkeeper Marco Storari after Juve’s 2-1 Italian Cup semi-final win at San Siro on Wednesday.

Although television replays seem to suggest that is what happened, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani, plus players Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Amelia, have criticised Chiellini.

“Chiellini wasn’t telling tales,” Juventus director general Beppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “He is a great player and a man with great principles.

“All he did was respond to the questions of the journalists after the game,” Marotta underlined amid suggestions that Chiellini was trying to get Ibra banned for the return leg in Turin.

“Neither he nor Juventus intend to judge what occurred and what the TV images show. We won’t be lodging any sort of complaint.

“We know that Milan are a strong side, with or without Ibrahimovic, and the Coppa Italia tie is still open to any result.”

Juve are unbeaten so far this season and the League leaders have defeated the Rossoneri twice in two games.

“What we have done so far is beyond our expectations,” the former Sampdoria official continued.

“We radically renewed the club and the technical staff, including the players, when Andrea Agnelli became President 18 months ago.

“There are only five players left from the 2009-10 season.

“Today we are up there thanks to boss Antonio Conte and his players, thanks to the work culture of all the club.

“We are happy with what we have done so far and we look to the future with serenity.”

Yeah, a big thanks to Marotta, Conte, the backroom staff and of course the players. I remember discussing on the forums how another (upper) mid table finish could kill Juventus' chances of climbing back up the top.

It was make or break and we made it.