Ex-Inter Defender Fulvio Collovati: “Edin Dzeko Taken Off In Coppa Italia Final Because Chiellini Had Him In His Pocket”

Former Inter and AC Milan defender Fulvio Collovati believes that the reason that Edin Dzeko was substituted off in the Coppa Italia final against Juventus was that he was failing to make an impact up against Bianconeri captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Speaking to Italian news outlet JuventusNews24, Collovati gave the view that the Juventus defender had been responsible for completely restricting the Nerazzurri striker’s influence on the game.

Dzeko came off for Joaquin Correa as the Nerazzurri chased an equalizer in the second half of what would go on to become a 4-2 win over the Nerazzurri in extra time.

The Bosnian had not had his best evening, looking off the pace and unable to get on the ball and find teammates as much as he would have liked to.

Collovati credits the job done on him by Chiellini for the extent to which Dzeko was not able to get into the match.

“Let’s face it,” he said, “Dzeko was substituted off because, even in spite of his age, Chiellini never allowed him to get on the ball.”