Marchisio tired of Tardelli comparisons

Posted Saturday, May 26, 2012 by Goal.com

Claudio Marchisio has grown weary of the Italian media's apparent obsession with comparing him to Marco Tardelli.

The 26-year-old Turin native has been nicknamed 'Tardellino' by the press given he plays in midfield for both Juventus and Italy, and has developed a keen eye for goal over the past year or so.

However, Marchisio has had enough of the moniker, explaining that he wants to be his own man.

“I’ve always been honoured by the comparison with one of the greats of the world game, but I think the time has arrived that we only talk about Marchisio," he told the La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Enough of the 'Tardellino' statements; now I want to write my own story.

“I am old enough and mature enough to perhaps be seen as a reference point for younger players. Or I hope to soon become one.”

Turning his attention to Italy's Euro 2012 opener against Spain, Marchisio claimed that playing against the defending champions would not faze the Azzurri.

"Today Spain are the champions, but I don’t think they are that far ahead of us,” he argued. “We are not afraid of them and we have what we need in all departments of the team to go all the way.

“We too have players in midfield to be scared of. Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi have won a World Cup, Thiago Motta and myself have tasted the highest levels over the last few years, generating the necessary experience in the process. Then we have Riccardo Montolivo and Antonio Nocerino.”

Italy and Spain meet in Gdansk on June 10.