Leonardo Bonucci

[Socrates 8527]

 

Manchester teams on Bonucci

http://www.football-italia.net/85495/manchester-teams-bonucci

Jun 7, 2016

Manchester City and Manchester United have joined Chelsea in the race to take Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus, say reports.

Azzurri Coach Antonio Conte is expected to try and take his old defender with him in his new adventure at Chelsea after Euro 2016.

According to La Stampa, however, there is now an interest by the two Manchester clubs in the Premier League too.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are now after the defender, although Juventus have been steadfast in their desire to hang on the player.

[Socrates 8527]

 

‘Chiellini and Barzagli are bulldogs’

http://www.football-italia.net/85548/‘chiellini-and-barzagli-are-bulldogs’

Jun 8, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci describes his Juventus and Italy teammates Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini as “bulldogs”.

The three form the ‘BBC’ three-man defence which will be deployed at Euro 2016, and UEFA asked them about their relationship.

“It’s not for me to say if your defence is the strongest in the world,” Bonucci said.

“Certainly the defensive phase includes the whole team, including the strikers. Our work is made easier is that our attackers are the first to help with the defensive phase, as [Antonio] Conte asks.

“We know each other perfectly well having played together so well at Juventus, and when we get to the national team we don’t have to test too many defensive movements.

“Giorgio and Andrea are two great champions, they can be very aggressive when we play with a three-man defence, while my role is to cover them when attackers press very well.

“They’re two bulldogs, definitely among the best defenders in the world.”

[Socrates 8527]

 

Bonucci: 'Conte is a hammer'

http://www.football-italia.net/85694/bonucci-conte-hammer

Jun 11, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci called Italy Coach Antonio Conte “a hammer” as they prepare for Belgium. “Everything we do in training has a reason.”

The Juventus defender spoke to the official UEFA website ahead of Monday’s Euro 2016 clash.

“The rapport with Conte is frank and direct. Everyone is open to doing the work because we believe in what we are doing.

“Everything we do in training has a reason. When you step on to the field in a match situation and see that everything we prepared really does work, the faith in the Coach grows as a consequence.

“Conte is a hammer. When it comes to training or a game, a friendly, a qualifier or a big tournament match, he is always the same.”

[Socrates 8527]

 

Bonucci: ‘Italy aiming for Quarters’

 

http://www.football-italia.net/85790/bonucci-‘italy-aiming-quarters’

Jun 13, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci admits Italy are “less frightening” but aims “to get to at least the Quarter-Finals”.

The Azzurri kick-off their Euro 2016 campaign tonight when they take on Belgium in Lyon, and the Juventus defender spoke to French newspaper L’Équipe.

“We’re Italy, we have to go as far as possible,” Bonucci declared.

“People are worried by the injuries to [Claudio] Marchisio and [Marco] Verratti. We feel those absences, that’s obvious.

“At the moment it’s true that we have difficulty finding pure talent. but we have to make up for that with our organisation and our hunger.

“We can’t have limits, when it gets difficult we’re always there. We know what we can do tactically, and we can cause problems for anyone. When you’re Italy you have to get to at least the Quarter-Finals.

“Italy are less frightening today, that’s obvious. If you look at the team which won in 2006, for example, with [Francesco] Totti and [Alessandro] Del Piero, or even the one which reached the final four years ago.

“These teams had international players, today we mainly have strikers who don’t play much or don’t have much experience.

“Belgium are superior, but they have their injuries too. Italy don’t produce many talents, and that can be seen in the whole system. Belgium did the opposite and it’s bearing fruit now.

“At the moment we have to learn from others.”

Despite what could be perceived as pessimistic statements, Bonucci insists the Juventus bloc will transfer their mentality to the Azzurri.

“You feel the Juve mentality every day. It’s in everything you do, and it’s contagious. We always have to win. The national team is lucky to have this Juventus bloc.

“We’re lucky that in defence we’ve been playing together for a long time. It’s up to us to help the others.

“Italy showed in 2006 that it’s important to have a strong defence. When you don’t concede many goals you have more chance of winning.

“Antonio Conte? It’s not a problem that Conte is going to Chelsea. This is the most important tournament of his coaching career, he doesn’t want to get anything wrong!

“He believes in his ideas, he takes care of all the details. And he transmits that to the players, with long training sessions.

“He gave us so much at Juve, with his winning mentality, he never gives up. He’s given so much to the national team too.

“We can’t rely on talent, so we have to be tactically perfect. I’m optimistic, we have nothing to lose.”

Finally, the centre-back was asked about Gianluigi Buffon, who will captain the Azzurri once again tonight.

“He’s the best goalkeeper in history,” Bonucci opined.

“I’m disappointed that he’s never won the Ballon d’Or, because he deserves it. He’s been at Juve for 15 years, he’s a role model, a legend.

“He’s a great player and a great man, everything he does is for the good of everyone.”

[Socrates 8527]

 

BONUCCI: ITALY CAN GET EVEN BETTER AT EURO 2016

The Juventus star capped a fantastic performance with an assist for Emanuele Giaccherini

during an impressive victory, and vowed the nation would keep improving .

 

http://www.goal.com/euro2016/en/article/bonucci-we-could-have-

achieved-even-more-italy-belgium-euro-2016/sirbnsxd0m4t1sg7ikjky0d6m?

Jun 13, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci was delighted with Italy's performance in their 2-0 win over Belgium on Monday – but believes they can still get even better at Euro 2016.

Antonio Conte's side kicked off their Group E campaign by beating a nation sitting second in FIFA's world rankings.

Emanuele Giaccherini scored the opening goal after 32 minutes and while Belgium pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, Italy's defence stood firm under pressure.

They made sure of the victory in additional time, with striker Graziano Pelle finishing off a counter-attacking move with a volley.

"In defence we moved really well and with a little more clinical finishing we could've achieved even more tonight," Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.

"We were usually one pass away from sending the strikers clear on goal.

"We test and re-test these things over and over in training, which we do because when we get on the field, we know what we need to do."

While he had to do his fair share of defending throughout, defender Bonucci also showed off his abilities on the ball with a first-half assist.

The Juventus man picked out the run of Giaccherini with a superb aerial pass that just had enough height on it to clear the head of Belgium's Toby Alderweireld.

"I always did try that kind of pass and doing it regularly leads to improvement, as I've done it quite a few times at Juventus and now for Italy," he said.

"Fortunately, Giaccherini had that fantastic first touch for a great goal."

[Socrates 8527]

 

Leonardo Bonucci stole the show in

Italy's 2-0 win against Belgium

I like Leonardo Bonucci, and you should, too. Something tells me he's picked

up a couple of new fans after that display, so that's pretty good.

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/14/11924884/

leonardo-bonucci-italy-belgium-euro-2016-final-score-result

Jun 14, 2016

For a lot of us, we've known that Leonardo Bonucci is one of the best in the business for a few years now. I mean, he's good, really, really good. And there's nothing that's going to tell us otherwise. Outside of a Serie A-centric mindset, that may not be the case, though. A lot of people may just think of Bonucci as that guy who's been linked to Chelsea in recent months because his former manager at Juventus is about to take over in London.

Boy, they sure did find out what we've been seeing for years on Monday, didn't they? (Side note: Change that, because you're seriously missing out.)

As much as I despise announcers constantly going to the old cliché that "Those Italians sure do know how to defend!" we hear time and time again, it was certainly the case in the Azzurri's 2-0 win over Belgium to open their Euro 2016 campaign. It was, for all intents and purposes, a classic Italy kind of game — defend like a bunch of madmen, hitting the opponent when counterattacks were available. Oh, and it was Bonucci who was doing a lot of those defensive plays.

Ah, but the beauty of Bonucci's game means it's not just on the defensive end where he gets things done. Let's just go ahead and look back at who was on the backend of Italy's first goal against Belgium...

I mean, seriously, most central defenders in the game today just don't do that. That's Andrea Pirlo-level precision from a guy who is also one hell of a defender. Yet, with Bonucci, it's nothing new to us Juventus followers. For us, it's just a regular thing. "Oh my god! A centerback launching 50-yard passes into the final third to a teammate!" isn't something you will see a Juventus fan post on Twitter or say in person whenever Bonucci drops a dime like he did to Emanuele Giaccherini in the first half.

(It certainly did merit a tweet from Twitter newbie and Juventus teammate Sam Khedira. Game recognize game, folks.)

Bonucci's numbers against Belgium represent just how involved he truly was. He led Italy in both interceptions (4) and clearances (7). Just for added measure, Bonucci was also one of five Italy starters to complete over 79 percent of the passes that they attempted. It was just about as all-around of a performance for a defender without getting a goal as he could have had.

But, the unfortunate thing is that not everybody is as familiar with just how wide-ranging Bonucci's game as we are.

Well, they are now.

Monday night was Bonucci's night. He defended with the best of them, he seemingly served as Italy's deep-deep-deep-lying playmaker with both Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti missing the Euros due to injury. And for a player who has developed into one of the best defenders in the world yet is still criminally underrated, it served as a coming out party in a way. Bonucci turned 29 years old last month, so it's not like this is his first major international tournament. But still, when it comes to the scope and within the landscape of European football, Bonucci doesn't get the kind of recognition he deserves. We know it because we see it week-in and week-out, but others who just drop in on Serie A here and there or see an Italy game every couple of months might not recognize it.

Or, in short, this game just showed how far Bonucci has come in his time in Turin.

What did we seem to say at least a couple times a season when Bonucci first came to Juventus? There were big-game atmospheres that shook him up a little bit. There's no denying it. He would, like a lot of other young players, get a little rattled if things weren't going as he hoped. Those days, however, are long gone. Now, as he becomes even that much more important for both club and country as the months go by, Bonucci is rising to the occasion and playing the best ball of his already pretty accomplished career.

And in a game where it was seemingly billed here in the United States as Belgium's offensive talent vs. Italy's veteran defense, it was certainly the latter that won that battle. And it was Bonucci leading the charge like he has done so many times before.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Bonucci: 'That's my kind of pass'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/85805/bonucci-thats-my-kind-pass

Jun 14, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci explained his Pirlo-esque pass and the importance of repetition in training as Italy beat Belgium 2-0.

His ball over the top was turned into the opening goal by Emanuele Giaccherini before a last-gasp Graziano Pelle’ volley.

“I always did try that kind of pass and doing it regularly leads to improvement, as I’ve done it quite a few times at Juventus and now for Italy,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia.

“Fortunately, Giaccherini had that fantastic first touch for a great goal.

“In defence we moved really well and with a little more clinical finishing we could’ve achieved even more tonight. We were usually one pass away from sending the strikers clear on goal.

“As I said, we test and re-test these things over and over in training, which we do because when we get on the field, we know what we need to do.

"We hope this is just the beginning, because we came here to amaze."

[Socrates 8527]

 

Leonardo Bonucci lives up to "Bonnie-Bauer"

nickname as Italy beat Belgium

 

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/european-championship/74/blog/post/2893167/

leonardo-bonucci-shines-for-italy-in-euro-2016-win-vs-belgium

Jun 14, 2016

Alessandro Del Piero looked genuinely sad. He felt like he had missed out.

"You never used to play passes like that to me," the Juventus legend (and now Sky Italia pundit) complained to his former teammate, Leonardo Bonucci. "That's because you never used to make those kind of runs," Bonucci retorted in jest.

Bonucci was in the centre circle when he spotted another Juventus old boy, Emanuele Giaccherini, making a run between Toby Alderweireld and Laurent Ciman in the Belgium defence. As the rain cleared following a pre-kickoff deluge in Lyon, La Repubblica claimed to see a rainbow as Bonucci's long ball arced through the sky. The Italy defender had struck gold.

"Giak in the box" brought it down wonderfully and slotted it past Thibaut Courtois to give the Azzurri the lead. "[Bonucci's] feet get velvetier and velvetier," La Stampa observed. "Just ask Giaccherini."

It isn't the first time that "the garden gnome" (Giaccherini's nickname in La Gazzetta) has been on the receiving end of a Bonucci pass, it's just the first time he has managed to finish one off. Bonucci played the same pass in Italy's warm-up matches against Finland and Scotland. Giaccherini made the same run, but on each occasion, he squandered the opportunity and inspired a fresh round of hand-wringing.

"If I had missed another easy one, Conte said I'd be walking home," Giaccherini laughed on Sky Italia.

La Gazzetta considered the pass "worthy of a pure No.10" and it's probably fair to say that not many people would have a problem with Bonucci wearing that number instead of Thiago Motta. "From what we can see," the paper concluded, "[Italy's] problems in the deep-lying playmaker position are resolved." No Marco Verratti. No Andrea Pirlo. No problem.

Some even went so far as to draw comparisons between Giaccherini's goal andthe one Brescia scored against Juventus in April 2001, when Pirlo played a ball over the top from more or less the same position as Bonucci. Roberto Baggio was in the Giaccherini role that day. He controlled it and went past Edwin van der Sar all in the same magnificent movement. The finish was better than Giaccherini's. Pirlo's pass, however, was almost a carbon copy of the one Bonucci made against Belgium on Monday night.

Upon seeing Bonucci's passing range, it probably won't come as a surprise to learn that he started out as a midfielder. He didn't change position and play in defence until he was 18. Bonucci's coach at his hometown club Viterbese, Carlo Perrone, told him: "If you want to become a great player, you have to play centre-back. That was the turning point of my career." A bit like when Carlo Mazzone had the intuition to move Pirlo from the No.10 position to a deep-lying playmaker role.

Another defining moment for Bonucci was working with Giampiero Ventura at Pisa and Bari. Ventura replaced Antonio Conte in Puglia and will succeed him as coach of Italy after the Euros as well. Both men have more or less the same outlook on football: They want their centre-backs to step out of defence and play out from the back. "Bonucci said to me: turn me into a footballer," Ventura recalled in Tuttosport, "and after a year he was in the Italy team."

Leonardo Bonucci, left, and Emanuele Giaccherini had tried this type of pass-and-move goals before. It worked perfectly vs. Belgium.

Juventus bought him on the back of that season. They are the club he supported as a boy. Bonucci was the only member of his family to do so; the rest are all Inter fans. They rejoiced when he joined Inter's academy from Viterbese and celebrated as he won the league playing in the same team as Mario Balotelli at the youth level. But Bonucci's heart always belonged to the Old Lady: He ran like a madman through the streets of Viterbo when they pipped Inter to the title on the final day in 2002.

Not everyone was convinced Juventus were getting a potentially great defender when he signed. At the time, Bonucci's centre-back partner at Bari, Andrea Ranocchia, was the more highly rated prospect. No one has any doubts anymore that Juventus got the right man.

"Conte was the coach who took me to the next level," Bonucci explained during the last international break. "We fell out at bit to begin with because I showed up out out of shape after my wedding and honeymoon. But I have got to say that he has really taught be a lot on a tactical level. If I am among the best defenders in Europe today, a good part of the credit goes to the mister [Conte]."

The Giaccherini goal "was a move that we have tried and tried again over the years at Juventus," Bonucci said on Monday. You might say it clinched the first of five consecutive Scudetti for the Bianconeri. Mirko Vucinic's title-winning goal against Cagliari in Trieste on May 6, 2012 came about after Bonucci strode forward and dinked a ball in behind for him to chase down. Incidentally, Giaccherini was a sub that night. Del Piero was on the bench.

As opponents began to focus more and more on marking Pirlo out of games with a view to stopping Juventus, Bonucci's ability to create from deeper positions became all the more important and pronounced. Bonucci showed himself just as able to pick out the late runs of Juventus' midfield runners, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal, as his more illustrious and hirsute teammate. It even led to the nickname "Bonnie-Bauer."

"[Alessandro] Nesta was always the player I looked up to," Bonucci revealed, "But now everybody calls me Bonnie-Bauer. Even the fans. I get messages on Twitter about it. They makes me smile, but to get to that level I've still got a lot of work to do."

Leondardo Bonucci's passing wasn't his only contribution in Italy's Euro 2016 opener. He kept things quiet at the back.

That was three years ago. In the meantime, he has added a lot to his game, taking things from those around him. "I have played with a lot of top players and I have tried to steal secrets from everyone," he told Total Italian Football. "But the player I most like watching on the pitch is Barzagli: he is unbeatable in 1-on-1 situations."

Bonucci wasn't so bad at defending them on Monday night either. That's an understatement if ever there was one. His decision making, reading of the game, the blocks he made, passes he cut out, crosses he headed clear were outstanding. Overall it was an impeccable display.

"Similar to Beckenbauer in how he imposed Italy's play and like Franco Baresi in his interventions," La Gazzetta gushed. "The last man [of the defence] and the first to start Italy's moves." Bonucci is the complete package. "He has always been one of my favourite players," Pep Guardiola said following Bayern's draw with Juventus in February.

Too often overlooked in discussions about who is the best centre-back in the world, whenever I overhear conversations on this matter and Bonucci's name goes unmentioned, the way he celebrates goals comes to mind. Bonucci puffs out his cheeks as though he is swilling some mouthwash around and makes a circling gesture with his finger: "sciacquatevi la bocca," or "wash your mouth out."

His name should always be the first on everybody's lips.

[Socrates 8527]

 

NO WONDER GUARDIOLA LOVES HIM! BONUCCI IS

NOW THE BEST DEFENDER IN THE WORLD

The new Manchester City boss is a long-time admirer of the Juventus defender, who underlined his excellence with a stellar showing in Italy's Euro 2016 opener against Belgium on Monday.

 

hhttp://www.goal.com/euro2016/en/article/no-wonder-guardiola-loves-him-bonucci-

is-now-the-best-defender-in-the-world/1n38u7zdbvomb1jlo8xl6gjesr?

Jun 16, 2016

It was while defending his Bayern Munich side for blowing a 2-0 lead in their Champions League clash with Juventus in Turin in February that Pep Guardiola made an interesting admission. “Did you really think we could come here and expect to dominate for 90 minutes?" he asked. "Against a side with [Paul] Pogba, [Mario] Mandzukic, [Alvaro] Morata, [Gianluigi] Buffon and [Leonardo] Bonucci – who is one of my favourite ever players."

That revelation came as a surprise to many. The man synonymous with free-flowing attacking football had singled out a defender for very special praise. However, those in attendance that covered Juventus week in and week out were not in the least bit taken aback. Serie A may no longer be the best league in the world but it still produces the best coaches and, arguably, the best defenders. Furthermore, Bonucci is blessed with a vision and natural footballing ability that is rare in the modern game. He is, in many ways, Guardiola's ideal centre-half.

Nowhere was this better underlined than in Lyon on Monday night. Picking the ball up inside the centre circle, Bonucci took a look up, spotted an intelligent run in behind the Belgian defence by Italy team-mate Emanuele Giaccherini and hit a stunning 50-metre pass that landed right on the midfielder's toe. The first touch was sublime, the finish composed, but the goal was all about Bonucci's ball from the back. It was, as Giaccherini told reporters in the mixed zone afterwards, "perfect".

Bonucci was anything but flawless in his early days, though. Indeed, after coming through the youth team ranks at Inter, the young defender was considered worryingly error-prone, susceptible to costly lapses in concentration. As a result, after largely underwhelming loan spells at Serie B strugglers Treviso and Pisa, he was sold to Genoa, who then promptly allowed him to join Bari as part of a co-ownership agreement. This was key because it was at the Stadio San Nicola that Bonucci met the most important coach of his career, Giampiero Ventura.

"He improved me as a player and as a man," the centre-half explained in 2014. "I arrived in Pisa on the Wednesday and I was already on the field by the Sunday; Ventura threw me straight into the mix. That's not an easy thing to do because every team has its own way of playing. However, he put me at ease right away and at the end of our first meeting he had given me so many compliments. From then on, I started to get on the ball, to look for the riskier passes and this was the secret of this relationship between myself and Ventura."

Bonucci had a stunning debut season at Bari, forming a formidable yet exciting central defensive pairing with fellow youngster Andrea Ranocchia. He took more risks yet made fewer mistakes. His dramatic improvement caught the attention of Juve, who paid €15.5 million for his services in the summer of 2010.

In Turin, Bonucci played nearly every week yet struggled to reproduce the form which had attracted the interest of Manchester United and Arsenal the season before. However, once again, the influence of a coach would prove decisive in maintaining his upward curve.

At the end of a disappointing 2010-11 campaign, which saw Juve finished seventh in Serie A, the Old Lady replaced Gigi Delneri with former fan favourite Antonio Conte. The ex-Italy international almost immediately introduced a 3-5-2 formation, deploying the ball-playing Bonucci in the middle of the backline that also featured Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini.

It was an inspired move on Conte's part, essentially laying the foundation for three successive Scudetti under his tenure. Chiellini provided the grit, Barzagli the nous, and Bonucci the ability to play the ball out from the back. Indeed, the defender's calmness in possession and impressive range of passing became central to Juve's games, with his raking balls downfield offering an important alternative to the more measured build-up favoured by Juve's then regista, Andrea Pirlo.

However, Bonucci wasn't just there to play 'Hollywood' balls. He also offered bravery; always willing to put his body on the line to keep the ball out of Gianluigi Buffon's net. Indeed, his legendary status among those stood on the Curva Scirea was only enhanced further after an incident in 2012 in which he, his wife and infant child were held up by an armed mugger. The would-be thief demanded the Italy international's watch. Bonucci responded with a punch in the face before setting off in pursuit of the mugger.

"It all happened in a matter of seconds," Bonucci explained a few days later on his Facebook page, "and it came from an instinctive reaction and certainly not an attempt to emulate the superheroes you see at the cinema!"

Still, for Juve and Italy, Bonucci had, by this point, become a leading man with a nice habit of stealing the show, as he did with his dramatic late winner in a crucial Serie A clash with title rivals Roma in October 2014. He was the star of the show once again in Italy's 2-0 win over Belgium, turning in an inspired performance at the heart of the Azzurri's brilliant all-Juve backline that was capped off with his sublime assist for the game's opening goal. There really is no other centre-half in the world as gifted at making tackles as making passes.

"I have always tried that kind of ball," he mused on Monday night, "and doing it regularly leads to improvement, as I've done it quite a few times at Juventus and now for Italy." In other words, practice makes perfect. As Bonucci's career so brilliantly illustrates.

[Socrates 8527]

RUMOURS: Mourinho wants Bonucci at Man Utd

 

The Portuguese is keen to lure the Juventus defender to Old Trafford this summer but faces competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea

 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/14222/transfer-talk/2016/06/19/24789702/-?

Jun 19, 2016

Manchester United are preparing to make a move for Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci but face competition from Manchester City and Chelsea for his signature, according to the Daily Star.

The Red Devils have already spent £30m to land centre-back Eric Bailly from Villarreal but Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on further strengthening his defensive options this summer.

Bonucci, who has impressed for Italy at Euro 2016, is wanted by his ex-Juventus boss Antonio Conte at Chelsea, but clubs looking to prise him away from the Serie A giants may have to stump up £50m to get him.

[Socrates 8527]

Manchester United Ready Offer For Juventus Defender

 

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/06/manchester-united-ready-offer-for-juventus-defender/?

Jun 20, 2016

Manchester United are prepared to offer €30 million for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, as they have stepped in on the pursuit of the Italian international.

Bonucci, who featured as one of the Bianconeri’s star figures during the past season, has been increasingly linked with an array of moves to the English Premier League over the past few weeks with both Chelsea and Manchester City said to hold an interest in the player.

However, it seems Manchester United have now jumped in on the race, as the Daily Star report Jose Mourinho’s side are prepared to table an offer of €30 million, believed to be half of what Juventus are asking for.

The Portuguese tactician is looking to shore up his defence ahead of the new season, having recently taken over at the club, and has taken an extreme liking to the in demand centre-back.

Yet Juventus are said to be demanding a minimum of €60 million in order to let their key man go, suggesting they will turn down the proposed bid.

A potential buyer could arrive sooner than anticipated though, as United’s offer holds the potential to spark a bidding war amongst their English neighbours.

[Socrates 8527]

Chelsea on Bonucci, Candreva

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86163/chelsea-bonucci-candreva

Jun 21, 2016

Chelsea are apparently willing to offer €40m for Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci and €30m for Lazio's Antonio Candreva.

The central defender and the winger have been among Italy's most impressive players at Euro 2016 so far, helping their team pick up six points in two games.

According to the British tabloid The Sun, soon-to-be Chelsea Coach Antonio Conte is looking to take his two prized Azzurri with him.

The Blues are believed to have an offer of €40m primed for Bonucci, although Juventus have given no signs of wanting to sell the player.

They are also happy to offer €30m for Candreva, which might finally convince president Claudio Lotito to sell.

Lazio were looking to sell the player to Inter, but the Milanese club seemed unwilling to meet the €25m price-tag. That particular detail wouldn't be a problem for Roman Abramovich's club.

[Socrates 8527]

Juventus Defender Agrees Deal To Join Conte At Chelsea

 

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/06/juventus-defender-agrees-deal-to-join-conte-at-chelsea/?

Jun 21, 2016

Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci looks set to be Antonio Conte’s first signing as Chelsea manager, having agreed a deal to move to Stamford Bridge.

Conte, who is set to move to the London-based side after the summer’s European Championship in France, has worked closely with Bonucci during their time together in Turin, and the defender is a key part of the current Azzurri side.

According to The Sun, the Blues offered a deal worth €170,000 per week to take Bonucci to England, which has been accepted by the player and his representatives.

Although personal terms appear to have been agreed, Chelsea will likely have a more difficult task on their hands to convince the Bianconeri to part ways with Bonucci, and are expected to submit an offer in the region of €40 million.

The former Inter and Genoa centre back moved to Turin from Bari in 2010, where he has since gone on to make 274 appearances.

[Socrates 8527]

No Italy rest for Bonucci?

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86190/no-italy-rest-bonucci

Jun 21, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli will reportedly start for Italy against the Republic of Ireland, as some reserves didn’t impress.

It kicks off in Lille on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

The Azzurri have already qualified top of Group E and the result is therefore completely irrelevant for their tournament.

Antonio Conte announced in today’s meeting with the media that he will make “between seven and nine changes. To be honest, I had expected to make more.

“There is no division between first choice players and reserves, so tomorrow is an opportunity for everyone.”

According to Sky Sport Italia, Bonucci was set to be rested, especially as he is already on a yellow card, but will likely start tomorrow anyway.

This is because some of the alternates did not impress Conte during the last few training sessions.

Angelo Ogbonna had been hoping to play, but the West Ham United centre-back is one of those who is expected to remain on the bench.

Barzagli was already tipped to remain in place, so of the back three only Giorgio Chiellini could be rested.

Gigi Buffon is left out after suffering from flu symptoms, giving Salvatore Sirigu a chance to shine in France.

In attack, Simone Zaza is set to partner Ciro Immobile, as Conte continues to see Lorenzo Insigne unsuited to his system.

Federico Bernardeschi is battling Stephan El Shaarawy for a starting spot on the left side of midfield.

 

Italy (probable): Sirigu; Barzagli, Bonucci, Darmian; De Sciglio, Florenzi, Sturaro, Thiago Motta, El Shaarawy; Zaza, Immobile

[Socrates 8527]

Bonucci: 'Sword of Damocles'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86247/bonucci-sword-damocles

Jun 22, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci admits he had a “Sword of Damocles” hanging over him in the form of a yellow card during Italy’s defeat to Ireland.

The Juventus defender is one card away from suspension and would therefore miss the Round of 16 clash with Spain if he had been booked tonight.

“It’s normal that having a Sword of Damocles over your head is a problem, but it’s our duty to always give our best,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia.

Many expected him to be rested to avoid such a risk, but instead he played the entire match.

“We could’ve done more tonight, but compliments to Ireland for their determination, grit and physicality. We made too many mistakes.

“What we didn’t do enough of today was playing the style of football we know how. The pitch didn’t help, but that mustn’t be an alibi.

“We must get back on to the track we were on before this game so the Euros can continue.

“There is always something to learn from a defeat. From tonight’s we learned that in terms of determination and grit we need to give more, while we were also not very sharp in our passing.”

[Socrates 8527]

Bonucci: 'Italy heads held high'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86723/bonucci-italy-heads-held-high

Jul 2, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci fought back tears as he said Italy “went toe to toe with the World Cup winners” Germany at Euro 2016.

The Juventus defender had converted a penalty to force extra time in the 1-1 draw, but the Azzurri eventually went out in a sudden death shoot-out for the Euro 2016 quarter-final.

“We had said at the start of this adventure that if we went out, we had to do it with heads held high. I think that over 120 minutes this Nazionale went toe-to-toe with the World Cup winners,” a visibly emotional Bonucci told Rai Sport.

“Going out always hurts, but these men, from the Coach and President to every player, were great men. We put our heart on to the pitch in every game and every training session.

“I want to thank the Italians, as they were close to us and gave us a lot of enthusiasm. We hope to have made them proud.

“In these competitions you have to be a group and we knew it was the only way to have our say. We beat Belgium, Spain and Sweden, then drew with the World Champions.

“I want to applaud everyone who worked with this fantastic side over the last two years. Unfortunately the penalties are a lottery, they made one fewer mistake than us.

“I am proud to have been a part of this team. Conte was sad about the defeat, but thanked the men he worked with.”

[Socrates 8527]

 

Bonucci: 'Proud to be part of Italy'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86739/bonucci-proud-be-part-italy

Jul 3, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci was “proud to have been a part” of the Italy campaign at Euro 2016. “Not a selection, but a Team.”

The Juventus defender scored the penalty that forced extra time and an eventual sudden death shoot-out defeat to Germany in last night’s quarter-final.

“I want to salute this Euros with this image,” wrote Bonucci on Instagram.

“Celebration borne of desire, Union, respect for each other, hunger, pride and this marvellous GROUP.

“Not a selection, but a Team. Proud to have been a part of it. We tried, have zero regrets for the games played on a par with national teams that were considered favourites.

“Thank you to the Italians who supported us, cheered us on, moved us and thanks also to those who couldn’t wait for this Great Nazionale to crash out.

“Thank you, because you will be the motivation that makes us continue improving.

“Forza Italia, Forza Azzurri, long live the Italians.”

[Socrates 8527]

 

Man City €45m rejected for Bonucci

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86885/man-city-€45m-rejected-bonucci

Jul 5, 2016

Pep Guardiola said Leonardo Bonucci was one of the best defenders in the world and Juventus reportedly reject a €45m Manchester City offer.

The centre-back proved his mettle once more during Euro 2016, converting a penalty in Italy’s 1-1 draw with Germany and starting moves from the back with Andrea Pirlo-style passes.

According to Sky Sport Italia and Tuttosport, Manchester City offered €45m (approximately £38m) for the 29-year-old defender and wages worth €7m per year.

However, Guardiola was told in no uncertain terms to forget about Bonucci.

He is considered a key figure in the Juventus squad and is under contract until June 2020.

Guardiola already praised Bonucci in a Press conference earlier this year, calling him one of the best defenders in the world.

Naturally, Chelsea were also linked with him for a potential reunion with ex-Italy Coach Antonio Conte.

[Socrates 8527]

 

RUMOURS: Manchester City's €45m Bonucci bid rejected

 

Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster his defensive options and the Italy international

has been offered €7m a year to move to the Premier League.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2016/07/06/25368172/-?

Jul 6, 2016

Juventus have rejected a €45 million bid from Manchester City for Leonardo Bonucci, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

The report claims that Pep Guardiola is keen on bolstering his defence with the Italy international but the Serie A champions have turned down the bid.

City have also offered Bonucci a salary of €7m per year.

The 29-year-old has won five Serie A titles with Juventus since joining from Bari and Genoa in 2010.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Leonardo Bonucci Transfer Rumours: Latest

News, Speculation on Juventus Defender

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650329-leonardo-bonucci

-transfer-rumours-latest-news-speculation-on-juventus-defender?

Jul 6, 2016

Juve Not Open to Bonucci Sale

Wednesday, July 6

Per Gianluca Di Marzio (via Goal's Chris Davie), City offered Bonucci, 29, a salary of €7 million (£6 million) per year as new manager Pep Guardiola is eager to bolster the Sky Blues defence, but Juve are not willing to accept their bid.

Along with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli at Juve, Bonucci makes up arguably the world's best defensive trio, thus it will likely take only a monster bid from City for the Old Lady to be persuaded to sell.

Indeed, Juve reportedly consider Bonucci to be "completely off the market", per Gianluca Di Marzio (via translator David Amoyal).

The Italian has been at Juventus since 2010 and has a current contract that ties him to the club until 2020.

Not only is he a highly accomplished defender, but his distribution from deep is also remarkable, no doubt a key factor that attracted Guardiola.

Bonucci was brilliant for Italy in their recent Euro 2016 campaign and has only driven his value up after performing consistently well on the international stage.

Much of Juve's success in recent years has been a result, in part, of their consistently brilliant defence and manager Massimiliano Allegri will be loath to break his back line up.

The Serie A giants have warded off City after their first attempt, but the Sky Blues are unlikely to walk away and may well return soon with a more tempting offer.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Man City have £38m transfer bid for

Leonardo Bonucci turned down by Juventus

 

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/10455594/man-city-have-

16338m-transfer-bid-for-leonardo-bonucci-turned-down-by-juventus-sky-sources?

Jul 6, 2016

Manchester City have had a £38m bid for Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci turned down by Juventus, according to Sky sources.

The 29-year-old centre-back shone for Italy at Euro 2016 before they were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals.

Bonucci has been a mainstay of the Juventus defence since joining the club six years ago from Bari.

He has made almost 250 appearances for the Serie A champions, scoring 13 goals, and 62 caps for Italy, with four goals.

New City boss Pep Guardiola has set about improving his squad already, with the club having signed Spain international striker Nolito from Celta Vigo, young Ukrainian winger Oleksandr Zinchenko this month and Australia international Aaron Mooy.

Centre-back Martin Demichelis has left City this summer after the conclusion of his contract.

Bonucci was a product of Inter Milan's academy but made just a single appearance for the club before loan spells with Treviso and Pisa. He joined Bari in 2009.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Man City to raise Bonucci bid?

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86939/man-city-raise-bonucci-bid

Jul 6, 2016

Manchester City are preparing to raise their offer for Leonardo Bonucci after Juventus turned down €45m.

Sky Sport Italia and Tuttosport both claimed that Juve turned down a €45m proposal last night.

Now the Daily Telegraph suggests it was only the opening bid in a negotiation process that will continue.

Bonucci is considered a key figure in the Juventus and Italy defence, so the Turin giants would not be prepared to sell for less than around €58m (£50m).

New City manager Pep Guardiola was still at Bayern Munich when he called Bonucci one of his favourite players in the world.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Man City: €60m for Bonucci

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86955/man-city-€60m-bonucci

Jul 7, 2016

Manchester City may be willing to offer almost €60m for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, say reports.

The Citizens were expected to raise their bid after the Bianconeri turned down a €45m offer.

Now the Daily Mirror reports that the Premier League team have prepared a £51m offer (just short of €60m) to shake Juventus' convictions.

The Sun remains convinced that Bonucci's preference, in case of a transfer, would be to move to Chelsea, but it remains to be seen if Antonio Conte's new outfit can match that offer.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Why It Is Vital Juventus Resist

All Offers for Leonardo Bonucci

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650119-why-it-is-vital-juventus-resist-all-offers-for-leonardo-bonucci?

Jul 7, 2016

There is little doubt Italy outperformed expectations this summer, progressing to the quarter-final stage of UEFA Euro 2016, where they eventually lost to world champions Germany after a prolonged penalty shootout.

Having dispatched the heavily fancied Belgium with ease in their opening game of the tournament, the Azzurri then notched a victory over Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden before eliminating Spain in the last 16.

After completely outplaying La Furia Roja, coach Antonio Conte’s men return from France with their reputations thoroughly enhanced both as individual players and as a team. Coming together to form a formidable and cohesive unit, their performances were a testament to the efforts of the former Juve boss. The members of his 23-man squad did themselves proud.

 

 

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

 

Perhaps nobody embodies that more than Leonardo Bonucci, who enjoyed a fine tournament and was able to showcase his entire repertoire of skills on one of the most high-profile stages the game has to offer.

Playing all five matches for the Azzurri, he was solid in defence and contributed to the attacking play whenever possible, with the Belgium clash exemplifying everything positive the 29-year-old has to offer.

As shown in the FourFourTwo StatsZone graphic below, Bonucci recorded one tackle, four interceptions and five clearances, recovering the ball three times and playing a key role as Italy neutralised the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.

 

 

View image on Twitter

 

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Adam Digby 

 

✔@Adz77

Leonardo Bonucci #ITA v #BEL 1 tackle, 4 int, 5 clearances, 27/34 passes, 3 recoveries, 1 assist (via @StatsZone)

10:09 AM - 5 Jul 2016

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While maintaining that clean sheet was vital, Juve and Italy's No. 19 also connected with an impressive 27 of his 34 pass attempts (79.4 per cent) and broke open the resistance of coach Marc Wilmots’ side with a wonderful long ball after 32 minutes.

From inside his own half, Bonucci picked out the run of formerJuventus team-mate Emanuele Giaccherini perfectly, the midfielder taking a touch before firing a shot beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

 

 

 

 

 Follow

Stereo Serie A Radio @StereoSerieA

VIDEO: Bonucci with the beautiful pass to Giaccherini#EURO2016 #ITA 1 - 0 #BEL

9:35 PM - 13 Jun 2016

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“I always did try that kind of pass and doing it regularly leads to improvement, as I’ve done it quite a few times at Juventus and now for Italy,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia) shortly after the 2-0 victory. “Fortunately, Giaccherini had that fantastic first touch for a great goal.”

Bonucci added: “We hope this is just the beginning, because we came here to amaze.” Italy would not disappoint. In their next outing against Sweden, faced with Ibrahimovic—who may have enjoyed the finest season of his career in 2015/16—the Azzurri defence shut him out completely.

Statistics from ESPN FC show that despite Sweden enjoying 53 per cent of possession, Gigi Buffon did not make a single save thanks to the efforts of those in front of him. Bonucci played his part superbly, with WhoScored.com showing he registered one tackle, two interceptions and five clearances.

 

 

Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images

 

The same source showed he also connected with 75 passes—more than any other player on the field—but Italy’s next outing arguably demonstrated something even more important.

When Bonucci first arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2010, he was prone to lapses in concentration, but he would prove against the Republic of Ireland that he is no longer blighted by that issue.

Having been booked against Belgium, he started the final group match knowing a yellow card would rule him out of the first knockout tie. Despite featuring in a heavily rotated lineup, Bonucci was impeccable and never gave the referee a reason to reach into his pocket.

That meant he could take his place alongside Juve team-mates Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini—a unit known as the BBC—once again, much to the chagrin of Spain striker Alvaro Morata.

 

 

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

 

“The BBC guys are the best defenders in the world and opposition teams don’t want to play against them,” the 23-year-old told Marca (h/t Football Italia) before the two teams met on June 27. “When those three and Buffon are back there, it is almost impossible to score past them.”

That would prove to be the case again, as Italy notched a fine 2-0 victory over the holders and ended their eight-year monopoly on the Henri Delaunay Cup. As discussed in this previous post, Chiellini—who opened the scoring—was the undisputed man of the match, but Bonucci played his part, too.

According to WhoScored.com, he recorded five interceptions, five clearances and a blocked shot. He was even more influential in the quarter-final meeting with Germany.

Helping keep the world champions at bay, he again found Giaccherini with a delightful pass, only this time the Sunderland midfielder could not take advantage. Bonucci took matters into his own hands after Germany took the lead, however, coolly dispatching a penalty after Jerome Boateng was punished for handball.

 

 

 

 

 Follow

Juvefc.com @juvefcdotcom

BONUCCCCCCCIIIIIIIIII

10:38 PM - 2 Jul 2016

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After the game ended in a 1-1 draw following extra time, he didn't repeat the feat during the ensuing shootout, as Germany emerged 6-5 winners on penalties. Bonucci remained pleased by his side’s accomplishments, however, as he explained to Rai Sport (h/tFourFourTwo) shortly after the final whistle:

Penalties are a lottery and they made one fewer mistake than us.

Manuel Neuer did well to read me but I could have done better. We had said at the start of this adventure that if we went out, we had to do it with heads held high.

Over 120 minutes I think we went toe-to-toe with the World Cup winners. We are leaving with our heads held high and I'm proud to have been part of this group.

It was the last outing of a fine tournament, one that sees him emerge as a wanted man on the transfer market, with both Manchester United and Manchester City interested—Michael Butler of theGuardian reported Bonucci is in Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho's "crosshairs."

 

 

 

 Follow

WhoScored.com 

 

✔@WhoScored

Leonardo Bonucci: Has ended Manuel Neuer’s run of 558 mins without conceding a goal at a major tournament #GERITA

10:42 PM - 2 Jul 2016

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When Juventus lost to Bayern Munich back in March, Pep Guardiola felt prompted to tell reporters at his post-match press conference thatBonucci is “one of [his] favourite-ever players,” which makes City’s interest easy to understand.

They have had one bid rejected, but Gianluca Di Marzio said the Premier League side will not give up. Writing on his own website, translated by David Amoyal, the Italian journalist said City will meet with the player's agent, Alessandro Lucci, before offering around €50 million (£42.5 million).

Juventus must resist the temptation to sell Bonucci, with the elegant but rugged defender an essential figure in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s team thanks to his huge influence at both ends of the pitch.

The 29-year-old has become a vocal leader for the side, marshalling the best defensive unit in Serie A and helping them to show tangible progress in the Champions League. There are a number of factors that will help them keep him in Turin, with the player’s own desire undoubtedly foremost among them.

 

 

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✔@juventusfcen

.@bonucci_leo19 extends contract until 2020. More onhttp://Juventus.com : http://juve.it/QaCAl  #Bonucci2020

1:05 PM - 28 Jul 2015

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“What motivates me is the thought of becoming a Juventus legend,” Bonucci told a press conference after a win over Palermo back in April. He also extended his contract with the club until 2020 last summer.

That would indicate the man himself has little interest in a move away. It would also make trying to buy him a highly expensive option, one that all but a select few clubs would have the means to accomplish.

His defensive ability, passing, intelligence and drive make Bonucci a central figure for the Old Lady, and she must hold on to him this summer, no matter who comes calling.

[Socrates 8527]

 

Report: Bonucci agent meets City

 

http://www.football-italia.net/86976/report-bonucci-agent-meets-city

Jul 7, 2016

Reports in Italy claim the agent of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is in England to meet Manchester City.

New manager Pep Guardiola is a long-time admirer of the centre-back, having named him as one of his favourite players last season.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Bonucci’s agent Alessandro Lucci is currently in Manchester to hold talks with City.

Lucci’s aim is to return with a €60m offer, which he believes the Bianconeri would accept for one of their star men.

However, Sky reports that both Bonucci and Manchester United target Paul Pogba are considered unsellable by the Old Lady, a situation which would only change if the players expressed a desire to leave.

Juve general manager Giuseppe Marotta has repeatedly insisted that "we only sell players who want to leave", so a deal for either player would require a transfer request or at least a declaration of intent.