Leonardo Bonucci shrugs off superstition to declare “it’s just Juventus and Roma for the Scudetto. Gervinho is their key player.”
Leonardo Bonucci shrugs off superstition to declare “it’s just Juventus and Roma for the Scudetto. Gervinho is their key player.”
The two joint Serie A leaders go head-to-head in Turin on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are the strongest side and proved that over the last three years, but Roma have improved a lot, both in terms of quality and their self-confidence,” Bonucci told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I expect a very different game to the relatively simple ones we’ve had against Roma in Turin recently. I do believe it’s just Juventus and Roma for the Scudetto. The rest of the group seems pretty far away…
“Francesco Totti is a phenomenon and a real leader, but Gervinho is their key player. He provides the change of pace.”
Juve have changed this season, as Massimiliano Allegri took over from Antonio Conte.
“First of all they share that ferocious desire to win. It’s the same objective that they are chasing with a different attitude. Conte is a warrior, on and off the field. Allegri is more relaxed with his work, but really knows how to make his voice heard when things aren’t going well.
“Now we have a different approach to the game with fewer rapid vertical passes, but the intensity has remained the same.”
The Bianconeri continue to stutter in Europe, where they were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
“Perhaps in Europe we lack a little character,” continued Bonucci. “We have everything it takes to do well, but now need a decisive step forward in terms of mentality.
“We need to become aware of our real capabilities. I read a lot of criticism, some of it fair, as we did stick to the bare minimum and at a certain point should’ve been more daring. However, we took the initiative in Madrid.
“We returned from Spain without points, but with more confidence. I think Atletico can really represent a turning point for us on the international stage, as we realised that we can play at that level.”