Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci wants to “turn this initial skepticism into joy” at Euro 2016.
The Azzurri head into the tournament in France this summer without two first-choice midfielders in Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, and with question marks over CT Antonio Conte’s squad.
“I dream of a great European Championships, both personally and as a team,” Bonucci said in a Press conference today.
Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci wants to “turn this initial skepticism into joy” at Euro 2016.
The Azzurri head into the tournament in France this summer without two first-choice midfielders in Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, and with question marks over CT Antonio Conte’s squad.
“I dream of a great European Championships, both personally and as a team,” Bonucci said in a Press conference today.
“All the players will listen to the CT 110 per cent. Our dream is to get as far as possible and have no regrets later. I have a huge desire to get started and confront the great national teams.
“Why should we be optimistic about the attack? Because they’re established and have all proven that they can cause problems for anyone.
“It’s normal that we all need great sacrifice and humility. The defence isn’t strong if the attack doesn’t help with the pressing, and vice-versa.
“We’ll be a group of 23 players plus the staff and the boss who will fight for one goal. We want to turn this initial skepticism into joy.”
Italy face Scotland in Malta on Sunday, and Bonucci discussed that match, along with the teams the Azzurri will face in Group E.
“Scotland? It will be an important game in terms of putting into practice the ideas of the CT, and in terms of making our legs feel better after the training sessions.
“It will be important to find the right cohesion so we can cause problems for any team we face.
“Our opponents at the Euros? Belgium are superior. In terms of the other teams [Sweden and the Republic of Ireland] one has Zlatan Ibrahimovic and one has the aggressiveness of their whole team.
“It will be a difficult group, but we’ll study our opponents. If I were to make assessments I’d put Belgium first, Sweden second and Ireland third, but we’ll never change our approach.”
Finally, Bonucci discussed some of his potential defensive colleagues for la Nazionale.
“Ogbonna? Angelo showed at Juve that he could play in a back-three,” his former club teammate pointed out.
“He’s an important part of this team, he’s much improved after his experience in the Premier League [with West Ham United]. If he’s picked he’ll make a great contribution to this team.
“As for Daniele Rugani, Daniele has shown that he has grown. It’s not easy when you first come to a big team, anyone would have problems.
“He’s been lucky, in that he’s been handled wonderfully by [Coach Max] Allegri. He has a huge willingness to learn, and I think he can be useful for this national team.
“The main problem in Italy is that we always have to wait. We’re always having to protect someone or something. The path at Juventus, with so many young people, must set an example.
“The mix of youth and experience brought us two trophies, so the courage of Juventus should serve as an example.”