Federico Chiesa’s iconic moments for Juventus, Fiorentina and Italy

Cameron Loftus
9 July 2021

He has risen to prominence with two man-of-the-match performances at Euro 2020 and now Italy's Federico Chiesa has his sights set on England.

Italy's man of the moment against Spain was Federico Chiesa who put his nation 1-0 up in the Euro 2020 semi-final with a moment of brilliance.

Chiesa's Italy went on to defeat Spain on penalties, and in a game littered with quality, the winger's curling effort was top of the pile.

As he prepares to take on England in the final on Sunday, we take a look at some of the highlights of the young star's burgeoning career.

First senior goal (and sending off)

Federico graduated through the Fiorentina academy, following in the footsteps of his father, Enrico, who helped the club win their most recent trophy, the 2001 Coppa Italia.

After signing a professional contract in 2016, Federico made his debut at the start of the 2016/17 season and on his fourth European appearance, he scored his first senior goal.

Federico's father, Enrico, celebrates scoring for Italy at Euro '96

It came in a 2-1 win at Qarabag and turned out to be the winning goal. In sub-zero temperatures, Qarabag failed to effectively clear a corner and after a Fiorentina shot was saved, the ball looped up into the air for a grateful Chiesa to rise and head into an empty net.

The match did finish on a sour note for the Italian youngster, however, after he received the first red card of his career late on for a second bookable offence.

Off the mark in the league

Even though it was his first season in senior soccer, Chiesa was marking himself out as a player to watch. He was on the verge of establishing himself in the starting line-up and, at the start of 2017, finally had his first league goal.

It came in a convincing 3-0 win over Chievo as he wrapped up the scoring in added time, sliding to shoot across the keeper after a swift counter.

Demolition job

Chiesa was in superb form as his Fiorentina team put seven past AS Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

The versatile winger scored a mesmerising hat-trick to secure a rare semi-final appearance for Fiorentina.

He opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he instinctively tapped in from close range. The tricky winger also grabbed the second goal of the game, beating the offside trap and committing the goalkeeper before calmly chipping home.

Chiesa rounded off a wonderful performance with his third goal of the evening, collecting a cross in front of a defender and then clinically shooting home on the half-volley.

Another thrashing - this time on the international stage

Chiesa's first senior Italy goal arrived in the 9-1 home drubbing of Armenia in a Euro 2020 qualifying match.

He also provided assists for striker Ciro Immobile and winger Riccardo Orsolini, in what was the 14th game of an unbeaten streak which now stretches to 33.

Chiesa's goal rounded off the scoring and came after Orsolini returned the favour and crossed for 'Fede' to score with his head.

Serie A hat-trick!

In July 2020, Chiesa became the first Fiorentina player to score a hat-trick in Serie A since former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani did so six-and-a-half years previously.

It came in a 4-0 victory over Bologna in the penultimate game of the 2019/20 season. The win lifted Viola above their opponents in the table, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Giuseppe Iachini played the Italian international as a striker and Chiesa repaid his faith in him by firing his side to the three points, taking his league goal tally to double figures in the process.

Coppa Italia delight

Juventus signed Chiesa on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the two years for a total fee of around €60million.

He enjoyed a successful first campaign in Turin, scoring 14 goals in all competitions in 43 matches, which included a long-range strike against Atalanta, a brace against league leaders AC Milan, and three goals across two legs against FC Porto in the Champions League.

His biggest contribution to the season, though, came right at the end of the campaign in the Coppa Italia final against overachievers Atalanta.

Chiesa worked his way infield from his wide position, played a one-two to stretch the defence and burst through before finishing the move with a powerful left-footed shot. It proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory as Juventus lifted the 2020/21 Coppa Italia trophy.

Making Euros history

Following his rapid growth at Juventus, Fede was named in Italy's 26-man squad for Euro 2020 and justified his inclusion after being given a chance to start in the final group game. He earned the UEFA Man of the Match award in a 1-0 win over Wales which saw Italy top the group and emphasised the strength in depth in the Gli Azzurri ranks.

In the round of 16, Austria forced Italy to extra time at Wembley. However, the Italians prevailed and it was Chiesa who had set them on their way.

He showed his fantastic ability with his weaker foot once again, touching the ball inside with his right and volleying home past Daniel Bachmann in the first half of extra time.

The goal went down in history, as Fede's father had scored for Italy in the 1996 Euros against the Czech Republic. They became the first father and son to score at the European Championships.

That Spain goal

Italy defeated Belgium in the last eight before facing Spain in the semi-final - a game which certainly lived up to its top billing.

The game was still goalless after an hour when Chiesa picked the ball up to the left of the Spanish box. He ran directly at the defence before swiftly shifting it onto his right foot and, using the defenders as a shield, curled it into the right-hand top corner, leaving Unai Simon motionless.

The delight was visible as he slid on his knees next to the corner flag prior to being swamped by his team-mates.

Alvaro Morata equalised but it was ultimately Morata's missed penalty in the shootout that Jorginho capitalised on to send Italy to the final.

England stand in their way but, with a second UEFA Man of the Match award of the tournament under his belt, Chiesa will be in a confident mood ahead of his Wembley return.