MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Alessandro Buongiorno reveals he randomly met Antonio Conte in Turin and remained in touch with the Italian tactician before joining Napoli last summer.

The Italy international swapped Torino with Napoli last summer in a deal worth €40m including add-ons.

He was one of the primary transfer targets of new coach Conte, who had known Buongiorno in Turin only a few months earlier.

“We randomly met once at a restaurant in Turin,” the defender told Cronache di Spogliatoio (via TMW).

Buongiorno: ‘Random’ meeting with Conte led to Napoli transfer

epa11721517 Romelu Lukaku of Belgium (L) and Alessandro Buongiorno of Italy (R) in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium (L) and Alessandro Buongiorno of Italy (R) in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

“We talked for 10-15 minutes. After that, we would talk at times and in the end, I decided to say yes [and join Napoli].”

Buongiorno is one of the best defenders in Serie A this season. He has shown exceptional defensive skills and has been involved in the build-up as well.

“Every attack must begin with the defender, and we are working on this aspect with the coach,” said Buongiorno.

“We must move a lot to receive the ball from the goalkeeper and the other teammates.”

 

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ByLorenzo Bettoni

Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.

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