Leonardo Bonucci targets the Scudetto and Champions League with Juventus in 2021-22. ‘I want to continue the European streak and do it again with the Bianconeri’.
Bonucci arrives fresh from the success at the Euros and pushes for more glory with Juventus under Massimiliano Allegri.
“We want to bring home the Scudetto, there’s no point in hiding that,” Bonucci told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That must be the seasonal target when you play with Juventus, just like playing a great Champions League and fighting on all fronts.
“My personal target, however, is to continue the streak of the European Championship, that saw me as protagonist, and to do it again with Juventus.”
Juventus finished fourth in Serie A last term and picked up the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in Andrea Pirlo’s only season at the helm.
Bonucci then participated in a magical summer for Italy, as Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri picked up the Euros and the Italian athletes set a new record at the Olympics with 40 medals in Tokyo.
“I would even say glorious for the Italian flag, one that’s difficult to forget,” Bonucci continued. “One that is difficult to forget.
“I’m thinking about the many medals, gold, silver and bronze. In short, the 40 Tokyo medals which are a historic result for Italy, certifies how much Italian sport is growing and evolving.
“We also demonstrated this at the European Championship.”
Bonucci admitted he has ‘unique sensations’ when he looks back to the Final at Wembley against England.
“I have unique sensations. At the beginning, no one trusted us,” he said. “Many thought that the results obtained in the qualifications or in the nations League were something that wouldn’t last.
“But with the strength of the group, we went all the way, taking home an extraordinary victory instead.”
Bonucci said the 100-meter relay was his favourite moment at the Olympics.
“That of the 4×100 relay: for how it arrived, to the last centimetre and because there too the team spirit prevailed over everything. A beautiful and exciting win.”
But Bonucci has turned his focus towards the new season, starting in Udine on August 22.
Juventus lost 3-0 against Barcelona on Sunday in a pre-season friendly, but the veteran is not worried.
“They are results that can come in the summer. The team has only been together for five days and in that circumstance, it was difficult to do better than what we did.
“Of course, we conceded goals that were definitely avoidable, we will have to work on this, but I’m sure that at the right time, the conditions will come.”
Bonucci didn’t think Lionel Messi would leave Barcelona this summer and admitted it surprised him to see the Argentine close in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“A little bit, yes,” Bonucci added. “During the summer it really seemed that he would stay, that they had reached an agreement.
“Then there are rules that must be respected, unfortunately it’s part of football. This summer we also saw other great players, other symbols change shirt. It hurts for the romance of football, but these are the dynamics of today’s game.”
However, Bonucci stressed Juventus are prepared to challenge the ‘dream team’ that Paris Saint-Germain have created.
“PSG are a dream team, they have put together many great players,” Bonucci said. “The individuals are certainly there, but it won’t be easy to make a group that takes home the victory.
“For our part, we have the goal of believing in it and getting as far as possible.”
Messi moving to Paris means one less possible suitor for Cristiano Ronaldo, who seems set to stay at Juventus.
“I think that Cristiano Ronaldo would have stayed even if Messi had not gone to PSG,” Bonucci continued. “For us, it’s an added value and I’m sure that this year, more than past years, he will help us reach all of our goals.”
Miralem Pjanic has been linked with a return from Barcelona this summer and Bonucci spoke to the Bosnia international during their time in Catalonia.
“We spoke, but not about the transfer market,” Bonucci said. “We spoke as friends, not as former teammates.
“He’s a great player, if he comes back, he would certainly be an important value for the group and for the team.”
Allegri has returned to Continassa two years after leaving the club and Bonucci said the coach is ready to pick up where he left off.
“He’s charged, very charged,” the defender said. “We are ready to take back what we left on the road.
“Inter remain [the main rivals for the Scudetto] because they won it, even without [Romelu] Lukaku and [Achraf] Hakimi.
“But with [Maurizio] Sarri, Lazio will be tough and we should keep an eye on [Jose] Mourinho’s Roma. Milan have bought functional players to their project. It will be a good championship.”
Italy now target success at the World Cup in Qatar and Bonucci joked he has eaten ‘a lot’ of Pasta.
“A lot,” Bonucci said and laughed. “In order not to lose the habit.
“The self-esteem has increased. If we can maintain the same level of humility and sacrifice, keeping the group as united as we were at the Euros, we will be able to have our say at the next World Cup too.”