Juventus defender Federico Gatti admits he misses Leonardo Bonucci but insists the team is focused on the pre-season and is looking forward to the first Serie A game of the campaign.
Bonucci has been frozen out of the team and has not travelled to the USA for Juventus’ pre-season tour.
“I miss him so much, on and off the pitch. He was crucial to me and many other teammates,” Gatti told Sky Sport Italia.
“He was somebody I could talk to when I had a difficult moment. This, however, is a club decision and I am not entitled to discuss it, I just want to say he helped me so much.”
With Bonucci out of the project, however, Gatti is expected to get even more playing time.
“This will be an important season, so we must be ready,” said the 25-year-old.
“Having a united group is one of the keys. We are looking forward to August 20. Surely we must work harder to finish in a better position, so we have to improve day by day. It will be a tough campaign because other Serie A clubs have brought in reinforcements, but we are Juventus and we want to get more than last season.”
The ex-Frosinone centre-back has changed his squad number for 2023-24, going from 15 to 4.
“I like No. 4, but I hope I can reveal why I picked it at the end of the season,” Gatti concluded.