Leonardo Bonucci says he is glad Italy teammate Moise Kean took his and Giorgio Chiellini’s advice and stayed at Juventus.
Kean has emerged as a breakout star this season, helping Juve reach the Champions League quarter-finals, before scoring on his full Italy debut against Finland.
“Kean has grown a lot and has made great strides forward,” he said at a Press conference for the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
Leonardo Bonucci says he is glad Italy teammate Moise Kean took his and Giorgio Chiellini’s advice and stayed at Juventus.
Kean has emerged as a breakout star this season, helping Juve reach the Champions League quarter-finals, before scoring on his full Italy debut against Finland.
“Kean has grown a lot and has made great strides forward,” he said at a Press conference for the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
“I hope he can handle all the pressure on him right now. He was right to stay with us at Juventus.
“He talked to Giorgio [Chiellini] and I talked to him too. When you train with Ronaldo, Dybala and Douglas Costa, you can only learn and grow.
“I’m glad he listened to my advice and now he’s making great strides. Now he must take the pressure off himself and keep doing well.
“He’s 18 years old and like all 18-year-olds, he’s lacking some minor things away from football, but the important thing is that these things are small.
“Lately he’s learned to form part of a group, how to respect the rules. Now I hope he can overcome the pressure to do well for the national team and Juve.”
The defender was then asked about La Nazionale’s upcoming opponents, who are considered one of the whipping boys in European Championship qualifying.
“The risk in matches like the one against Liechtenstein is always the same, the risk of underestimating your opponents,” he added.
“We musn’t do that. We need to be careful. And in any case, it’s crucial that we’re able to immediately unblock the race.
“Mancini’s idea of football is different to that of Juventus, but I believe a block of Juve players can be important for the national team.
“I just want to win. Right now we’re having fun in the national team, while there are some great champions at Juventus, who can win games by themselves.”