Union star Leonardo Bonucci (36) actually had other plans!
The Italian wanted to end his career at heart club Juventus – but the Turin team rejected him in the summer and didn’t let him train with the team. Bonucci: “Juventus is my life. Then I had two options: Lazio or Union.”
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After a conversation with trainer Urs Fischer (57), who speaks Italian, Bonucci chose Köpenicker. He says: “This is a crazy decision. I played in Italy for 20 years. But I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to experience a new culture, a new language and a new lifestyle.”
Above all, the 2021 European champion got to know a new fan culture in the Alte Försterei. There, the supporters cheered on the team after the 3-0 defeat against Leipzig, which Bonucci watched on the bench. Bonucci says: “After the game I said to Robin Gosens: ‘They’re crazy. We lost the game.’ That doesn’t happen often in Italy.”
The fans also celebrated after his Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim (0-2). Bonucci initiated the defeat with a penalty. Bonucci defiantly: “For me it wasn’t a penalty.”
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Source: BILD September 26, 2023
Nevertheless, there are four competitive defeats in a row on the list. Bonucci: “A difficult situation. We lost four times, but I know that we will improve.” Also because Bonucci wants to get in shape: “I told the coach at the beginning that I needed three to four weeks to get fit. We are now in the fourth week.”
Bonucci has to get used to the new league quickly. He explains: “The Bundesliga is completely different. As a defender you have to cover a large area and attack the strikers at the same time. There are very fast strikers, like Boniface (Leverkusen, editor).”
Bonucci is particularly looking forward to the duel with Bayern star Harry Kane (30): “I know him, he’s a good guy. One of the best strikers in the world. I’m looking forward to the games.”
Bonucci wants to play as much as he can – because he has a big dream: “I spoke to Luciano Spalletti (Italy’s national coach, editor) two weeks ago. He told me that I had to play a lot of games to get back to the national team. I know it’s difficult, but my main goal is to be in the squad for the European Championships.”
2023-09-26 16:10:12
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