Leonardo Bonucci praised the Juventus ‘spirit of sacrifice’ after neutralising Lazio and explained why he didn’t take the penalty for Italy.
The centre-back stepped up to convert two penalties this evening, as Paulo Dybala was out injured, and it was his first ever Serie A brace.
“It was a fundamental victory, as it’s always tough after the break for international duty,” Bonucci told DAZN.
Serie A | Lazio 0-2 Juventus: Bonucci puts Sarri on the spot
“We know with this spirit of sacrifice, the games depend on us. We really did well to limit Lazio, allow them nothing and score two goals of our own.”
Max Allegri was screaming at his players in the last stages of the game, ensuring nobody was distracted.
“We know the coach gets very agitated in the final 10 minutes and focuses on keeping the tension high, especially when the lead is slender.”
With Dybala out injured, should the other Juventus strikers not contribute more to the Bianconeri goal haul?
“We must give our all to take Juventus back to battling for every objective. We created a few important situations today with the strikers, such as Alvaro Morata in the first half and Moise Kean in the second. The important thing is to bring home the three points, it doesn’t matter who gets the goals.
“I believe we will bring home better results with more determination and self-belief as the season goes on. When you are Juve and have the start to the season we did, criticism is natural and we need to take that, but we saw that with the right spirit, we can make the difference.”
Inevitably, considering he converted both at the Stadio Olimpico, Bonucci was asked why he hadn’t taken the penalty against Switzerland that Jorginho blazed over the bar in a decisive World Cup qualifier last week.
“A week ago, Jorginho was the penalty specialist and it was only right that he take it. If I had been asked to take the penalty, it would not have been a problem.”
I have been saying since September that Bonucci needed to be on PK Duty for Italy. If some fan behind a computer can sense this, how can football men cannot? Now we are well and truly in the fight to qualify. Those lousy PK misses by Jorginho have damaged us.
Also, interesting how Kean is fit today and played. Biraghi will likely be playing tomorrow. Pellegrini and Zaniolo will likely play also. Bet you some of the other Italy absentee’s will as well.
Mancio and staff need to ask his players the hard questions if they are committed to the Italy cause. If not, just send another group. I can stomach losing but not when the effort and commitment are not there.
😭😭😭 Why the hell didn’t Mancini assign Penalty duties to Bonucci ❓❓❓❗❗❗
Bonucci did well today but Jorginho has a better record with pens. Juve & italy should have a striker that can take pens. Shooting is their job.
I have always been of the opinion that CB’s are better PK takers than CF’s as they are more reactionary scorers.
PK in Sept in Basel: huge credit to Yann Sommer who studied the technique perfectly offset it. Jordan Pickford also studied it and saved using a different method (waiting for as long as possible)
PK in Nov in Rome: some credit to Jorgi for not doing the hop. The idea to go high was perfect but too high.
When the Playoffs arrive in March, this is something that is obviously going to have to be discussed in a team meeting. Who has PK duty. Insigne is not automatic either and quite honestly, I kinda want him off the team. Bonni is still second choice at Juve behind Dybala.
Time heals all and I do believe this is the right amount of time for them to get away to their clubs, then come back with some fire in their belly and right a wrong.
@The Queens Half Corgi Players were checked for fitness and then sent back from the Italy Camp. Mancini can’t play unfit players. Regarding many of them playing next match for their Clubs .. they got 6+ days to recover …
Bonucci must be the auto PK taker for Italy
To little to late now
Its not about who takes penalties. Its about mediocre players and why Italy feel they need to walk the ball into the net.
Insigne, Emerson, Belotti, Di Lorenzo. Backups at best. We’re told that it would all be different without injuries to Immobile & Verratti. Really!
Jorginho has minimal effect so does Berardi. They’re NOT world class.
Rebuild around Chiesa, Barella & Locatelli & give 3 or 4 of the U21s a chance.
Sad to think that if we end up qualifying he’ll delay the necessary change and keep the majority of currently useless players!