Leonardo Bonucci thought “thank goodness I wasn’t there” for Juventus against Real Madrid as “maybe I wouldn’t have been able to curb my instincts”.
The Bianconeri were 3-0 up in the Bernabeu after a 3-0 loss in Turin, but Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the last minute, with referee Michael Oliver awarding a penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo converted.
“It was a week full of emotions, I’m very happy for Roma and very sorry for Juventus,” Bonucci told Premium Sport.
Leonardo Bonucci thought “thank goodness I wasn’t there” for Juventus against Real Madrid as “maybe I wouldn’t have been able to curb my instincts”.
The Bianconeri were 3-0 up in the Bernabeu after a 3-0 loss in Turin, but Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the last minute, with referee Michael Oliver awarding a penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo converted.
“It was a week full of emotions, I’m very happy for Roma and very sorry for Juventus,” Bonucci told Premium Sport.
“To score three goals at the Bernabeu doesn’t happy every day. At the end there was that dubious incident, but Juventus proved they’re up to that level, then these incidents can happen.
“I thought ‘thank goodness I wasn’t there’ when that penalty was whistled, because maybe I wouldn’t have been able to curb my instincts.”
Bonucci left Juve to join Milan in the summer, and he also discussed the improvements the Rossoneri have made in recent months.
“At the start we didn’t understand our mistakes and we didn’t improve. Now we’ve grown, but the chase has cost us a lot of energy, even if I’d hoped for a second half of the season like this.
“We’re becoming a team, ready for a leap in quality. We’ve improved in defence thanks to [Coach Gennaro] Gattuso, who has instilled this way of defending in us.
“On a personal level I’ve made mistakes and done good things, but I think I’ve brought experience to a young group I am happy to be their captain, I want to improve further.”
The centre-back was seen in the stands celebrating Gigio Donnarumma’s last-gasp save against Napoli, with the 19-year-old seen by many as the heir to Gigi Buffon.
“I celebrated Gigio’s save like a goal, because it was a worth a goal,” Bonucci said.
“That was a really important point for us.
“As for the comparisons, I was lucky enough to play with Gigi, the best in history. Gigio can become one of the best, but he needs to remain carefree and not be influenced by pressure.”