“I’ve got some massive games coming up, but I always get myself too worked up and ruin my performance. How do you prepare for big games?”
Derek Yeung, via Facebook
Giorgio Chiellini says:
“Before a big game I search for tranquility, because I’m a very tense person. I feel every match in an intense way. If I get more excited and agitated than I am already, I’ll lose focus and make bad decisions on the pitch.
So I try to think about what I have to do for the team. You can’t control every outcome, only what you do. I concentrate on the game plan and how I’m going to do my job.
I make sure I get a clear understanding of what the manager wants from me. I don’t lock myself away or listen to calming music; I immerse myself with the team and the manager to discuss what we have to do.
Having these chats as a group ensures we’re all fully aware of our tasks. Many times this isn’t enough, but I believe that starting with as much focus and planning as possible is useful for every player.”
The PUMA Italy kit features the new PWR ACTV technology, which helps the human body to maximise its performance:puma.com/football
For more football tips see:
Channel aggression positively
Keep a cool head
Dealing with the red mist
How to deal with a mouthy player
How to deal with a wind-up merchant
Mikel Arteta: Handling a hatchet man
