Leonardo Bonucci

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci lawyer fights betting charges

Aug 4, 2012

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is also set to go to a full betting trial after plea bargain negotiations failed, as his lawyers picked apart the Udinese-Bari evidence.

The Italian international is accused of sporting fraud due to his time at Bari, risking three years and six months suspension.

There were reports this morning he was in talks with the prosecutor Stefano Palazzi to work out a plea bargain based on failing to report an attempted fix to authorities rather than the more serious charge, but it seems to have collapsed.

Bonucci’s lawyer, Gian Pietro Bianchi, criticised the basis of the evidence against Bonucci, which came from Andrea Masiello’s testimony.

“The prosecutor claims Masiello’s changing testimony was ‘progressively enriched’ rather than contradictory. But it is a progressive climax towards illogicality.

“As Masiello tries to make his version of events more useful to the prosecutor, he contradicts himself so much that we can’t even work out what role Bonucci had in this match.

“Masiello spoke twice to the Cremona prosecutors, once in Bari, and he never mentioned the Udinese-Bari match. On February 7 Iacovelli was the first to talk about Udinese-Bari, including Masiello but not Bonucci.

“When Masiello discovered through the newspapers that Iacovelli had talked – which is in itself damaging the evidence – then Masiello brought Bonucci into it.

“However, even here Masiello cannot get his story straight. First he said he asked Bonucci for the fix the week before the training camp, then he said specifically in the locker room. In the meantime, Bonucci proves he couldn’t have been there at that date because he was on international duty.

“So Masiello is asked about the circumstances of their meeting again, because the dates don’t match up. Masiello changes it to before the trip to Udine, which is his fourth testimony and fourth change, but it’s not enough.

“When he testifies on July 10 and ‘perfectly remembers’ Bonucci was not present during the week, so the meeting happened on the team bus to Udine. But Bonucci was there from Thursday and trained regularly each day.

“Evidently something doesn’t fit here, there are illogical discrepancies. Masiello also testified with discrepancies over whether the fix was meant to be an ‘over’ with many goals, a draw with goals or specifically 2-2.

“Then Masiello said he was passive on the second and third goals on purpose. But why? If it was meant to be a 2-2 for the betting syndicate, why would he favour a 3-2 result for Udinese?

“De Tullio testified that Masiello sorted the ‘fix’ Udinese-Bari all by himself and is just a big liar.”

Simone Pepe is also involved in this match, dragged in by Masiello’s testimony for failing to report an attempted fix to authorities, as Salvatore Masiello was the one who was meant to call Pepe.

Udinese could also see their fine revoked, because the charge of sporting fraud would be reduced to an attempted – and failed – fix orchestrated entirely by Andrea Masiello.

Prosecutor Palazzi requested several breaks during today’s court session, with many suggesting this means his entire case around Udinese-Bari is collapsing.

[Socrates 7962]

Masiello cannot get his story straight, insists Bonucci's lawyer

Claims implicating the Bianconeri centre-back in the ongoing Scommessopoli

scandal are confused and unfounded, according to the player's court representative.

Aug 4, 2012

The lawyer of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has hit out at Atalanta right-back Andrea Masiello, claiming that he is forever changing his claims in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Italian football.

The 25-year-old Italy international is facing a ban of three years and six months after he was deemed to have allegedly played a part in fixing two games while on the books of the Bari, alongside the full-back, in 2009-10.

But his legal representative has swiftly stepped in to discredit the claims made in Masiello's testifying statements, claiming they are riddled with contradictions with regards to key events.

"Masiello contradicts himself so much as he tries to make his version of events more useful to the prosecutor," Gian Pietro Bianchi was quoted as saying by giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "We don't even know what role Bonucci played here anymore."

"The prosecutor claims Masiello's changing testimony is 'progressively enriched', when in actuality it is rather a progressive climax towards illogicality.

"Masiello has already spoken twice, but not once did he bring up the Udinese-Bari match. Even here, he cannot get his story straight. Evidently, something doesn't fit here, there are illogical discrepancies."

Meanwhile, Bonucci's Bianconeri team-mate Simone Pepe has also been implicated, with the winger accused of not reporting an attempted fix to the relevant authorities.

But he has decided not to accept a plea bargain proposal, which would have seen him banned for one year.

"That option becomes difficult when facing such a long ban. You can negotiate when it's about three months, but not more than that," clarified lawyer Luigi Chiappero.

Juve coach Antonio Conte has also been implicated in ongoing investigations, and could face a 15-month ban.

[Socrates 7962]

Juve eye Astori for Bonucci

Aug 5, 2012

With Leonardo Bonucci facing a potential ban of three-and-a-half years, Juventus are targeting Cagliari defender Davide Astori.

Bonucci was in court yesterday to fight the charges of sporting fraud, which could see him suspended for three years and six months if found guilty.

A verdict is expected between Wednesday and Friday, but in the meantime he has gone with the squad to Beijing for the Italian Super Cup against Napoli on Saturday.

According to Tuttosport, the Bianconeri are preparing for the worst and therefore beginning talks with Cagliari for his replacement.

The target is fellow Italian international Astori, who had already been very close to Milan this summer.

Cagliari are not prepared to part with their centre-back for less than €12m, although Juve are hoping to propose a paid loan with option to buy plus the loan of Ouasim Buoy.

Other options include Salvatore Bocchetti, Bruno Alves, Andreas Granqvist, Federico Peluso and Marco Andreolli.

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus line up Astori as Bonucci replacement

As the former Bari defender prepares to learn his fate, the Old Lady have compiled

a list of possible alternatives, and the Cagliari man is believed to be top of the pile.

Aug 5, 2012

Juventus are ready to launch a bid for Davide Astori if Leonardo Bonucci is handed a three-year ban for his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal, claims Tuttosport.

The Italy stopper is potentially facing a considerable spell out of football, having been charged for sporting fraud along with Bianconeri team-mate Simone Pepe, and it has forced the side's hand into looking at defensive reinforcements.

According to reports in Italy, Juve general manager Giuseppe Marotta had reportedly targeted Bruno Alves and Salvatore Bocchetti, but they have now set their sights on the Cagliari centre-back, who is expected to leave Sardinia this summer.

The Scudetto holders are expected to propose a cash-plus-player offer to the Rossoblu, with young Dutch midfielder Ouasim Bouy the likeliest man to go in the opposite direction.

However, there is also a chance that a new face will not be brought in, as they have faith in Martin Caceres and Alberto Masi's abilities in making the step up next season, while Lucio has already been secured from Inter Milan.

The publication also claims that the Italian champions have cooled their interest in Pablo Armero for the time being, and instead switched their attentions to Federico Peluso.

The Colombian left-back appeared to be on the verge of completing a transfer to Turin, but Udinese now want him to stay put for their Champions League play-off campaign.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci has nothing to admit to, says lawyer

The Italy international's legal representative says the 25-year-old is entirely innocent

after accusations of sporting fraud were levelled against him.

Aug 6, 2012

Giampietro Bianchi, the lawyer of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, believes that his client will be cleared of any role in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal.

Our definitive countdown of the finest players from 2011-12 has commenced. Click here to view our slideshow of the stars who ranked 50-4 in our list!

The centre-back has been charged with sporting fraud in relation to incidents that occurred during his spell at Bari during the 2009-10 season, with the federal prosecutor in charge of handling the on-going scandal, Stefano Palazzi, requesting a three-and-a-half-year ban be given to the 25-year-old.

Despite the sanctions proposed by Palazzi, the defender's representative is confident that his client's name will be cleared in due course.

"The prosecutor offered us the opportunity to move the charge from sporting fraud to simply failing to alert authorities to a potential fix, but only if there were new facts that he was going to admit to,” Bianchi explained to Tuttosport.

"Bonucci has not done anything, so what was he supposed to admit? It is true there would be some risks of civil court action too, but in any case he would never have 'confessed' to anything untrue. It is a moral decision.

"He would have evaluated the possibility out of respect for Juve's interest, but not if it meant admitting to something he never actually did."

The lawyer pleaded his case to the Disciplinary Committee of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Saturday, identifying inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony against his client.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci 'has nothing to confess'

Aug 6, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci’s lawyer explains why he refused a plea bargain in the betting trial. “He hasn’t done anything, so what was he supposed to admit?”

The Juventus defender has been charged with sporting fraud due to his time at Bari and risks a three-and-a-half year ban, but is fighting the case and expects a verdict between Wednesday and Friday.

“The prosecutor offered us the opportunity to move the charge from sporting fraud to simply failing to alert authorities to a potential fix, but only if there were new facts that he was going to admit to,” explained lawyer Giampietro Bianchi in Tuttosport.

“Bonucci hasn’t done anything, so what was he supposed to admit? It’s true there would be some risks of civil court action too, but in any case he would never have ‘confessed’ to anything untrue. It is a moral decision.

“He would’ve evaluated the possibility out of respect for Juve’s interests, but not if it meant admitting to something he never actually did.”

The lawyer pleaded his case in front of the Disciplinary Commission on Saturday, pointing out inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony.

“What are the chances of Bonucci being cleared? Considering the paperwork in the trial, we have the utmost confidence.

“Frankly, I don’t see any other option than for him to be cleared and he is very confident too. The judges paid close attention and I’m convinced they will evaluate the matter with just as much attention.”

[Socrates 7962]

'Bonucci can now focus on football'

Aug 10, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci’s agent has reacted with joy at the news of his client’s acquittal and believes that the player will now be able to focus on football.

Bonucci was alleged to have had direct involvement in the attempted fix of a match between his then side Bari and Udinese in May 2010.

However, Andrea Masiello’s testament, which the case around Bonucci was built on, was ruled inconsistent by the FIGC’s Disciplinary Commission and the defender was confirmed this morning as acquitted of all charges.

With the player originally facing the prospect of a 42-month suspension from the game, his agent has reflected on the happiness from today’s news.

“Of course I am very happy. All of our defensive inferences have been accepted, we were convinced of the innocence of the player,” Davide Torchia told Tuttomercatoweb.com this morning.

“A special thanks goes to his lawyers. Not only that, I want to thank the people who demonstrated unconditional support for Leonardo. He is now focused on the next challenge, fortunately this is a challenge on the field. These are the challenges he is experienced in.

“Our sympathy goes to the Coach, we cannot go into the details, but we hope that everything will go well for him. Right now we are close to all those who have been involved.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Supercoppa win just the beginning for Juventus

The Italy international was very satisfied with his side's display at the weekend,

and is hoping that further success awaits later in the 2012-13 campaign.

Aug 13, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci is hopeful that Juventus' Supercoppa Italiana win over Napoli is the beginning of a successful season for the Serie A champions.

The Old Lady beat the Coppa Italia holders 4-2 after extra time, and the centre-back was pleased with his side's performance in what was a 'challenging' game for him due to the recent controversy over the Scommessopoli scandal, which eventually saw his name cleared.

"We have to make sure this [supercoppa win] is just the beginning. We have a long and demanding season ahead," Bonucci was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"Mentally the game was challenging for two reasons. Because I had all that is gone on away from the pitch behind me, and also because of the dangerous opponents on the pitch.

"Napoli waited for us and we perhaps gave them too much space. We came good though. But that's Juve for you, a team that proves they are better than the rest on the pitch."

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci on Viola and Roma

Sep 26, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci has looked back to the Fiorentina game with contentment and ahead to the Roma tie with confidence.

The Old Lady’s 100 per cent League record ended with a 0-0 draw against the Viola on Tuesday, but the stopper was pleased with the result.

“Fiorentina played really well and it was certainly a point gained for us, rather than two points lost,” he argued.

“We extended our unbeaten record to 44 League games and, even if we didn’t win, I’m still happy as we did well at the back.”

The League leaders are next in action on Saturday when they will play host to great rivals Roma and their boss Zdenek Zeman.

“We now await Roma,” Bonucci continued. “We know it will be a great game, but we are still hungry for the victory.

“It will be another important match, but the Juventus Stadium will be a hot pit and that will give us the right sort of push.

“I have confidence in myself and in my teammates.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci and Barzagli struggles a big concern

for both Italy and Juventus

The Azzurri eventually clinched a vital three points against Armenia in Yerevan,

but not without a number of scares as their centre-back pairing turned in under-par showings.

Oct 13, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer

It is often said that the sign of a good team is the ability to play badly and still win, but Italy’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Armenia in Yerevan came with a huge sigh of relief following a massively underwhelming performance from Cesare Prandelli’s side.

Thanks to a goal and an assist each from Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo – coincidentally the Azzurri’s three best outfielders on the night – Italy head into Tuesday’s clash with Denmark at San Siro with a two-point advantage in Group B. However, the fact that Gianluigi Buffon also deserves a mention in the list of star men owes a lot to the lacklustre performance by La Nazionale, and, worringly, speaks of a great number of question marks over the displays of centre-back pairing Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci.

The Juventus duo were both a long way short of their best as Henrik Mkhitaryan gave them the kind of run-around he also delivered for Shakhtar Donetsk against the Bianconeri in the Champions League 10 days earlier, and with Yura Movsisyan’s movement causing havoc at the heart of the Italy back four, the visitors were lucky not to be at least two down before putting together the second-half rally which would eventually see them claim all three points.

While Bonucci has always been error-prone, this was a particularly ugly performance from the Bari alumnus, with a ridiculously heavy touch early on sending Armenia onto the attack and setting the tone for his evening. Seconds after Pirlo had given Italy the lead from the spot, he was booked for hauling down Mkhitaryan having been completely outdone for pace, and he followed that with several poor passes and moments of sheer idiocy as he laboured with and without the ball, allowing Armenia to win possession in key areas.

Barzagli was little better, with his continued inability to replicate his form of 2011-12 becoming of increasing concern. But for the moment he outstripped Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei to tee up Sebastian Giovinco in Juventus’ 4-1 Serie A win, he has regularly appeared a yard off the pace this term, and he was short of the mark in the same regard against Armenia. Add to that the fact that he was pulled out of position all too regularly, most notably when Davit Manoyan found himself unmarked in Barzagli’s vicinity, only to be foiled by Buffon, and one has to wonder how both Juve and Italy go about fixing these defensive woes.

Moments after Manoyan's crucial miss, De Rossi's excellent movement allowed him to head home from Pirlo's cross, before the Roma midfielder's free-kick was met by Osvaldo to give the Azzurri a margin they barely deserved. The result was secure, but there was little about Italy's defensive performance which could come under the same category.

With both centre-backs playing almost constantly, there is an argument that they need regular rest just as much as Bianconeri midfielders Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but games are coming thick and fast, and both club and country need their centre-backs to find their form ahead of vital World Cup and Champions League fixtures to come.

Then again, if either continues to turn in performances like they did on Friday, they could just as easily be dropped as rested.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci hits back at Cassano

Oct 16, 2012

Juventus stopper Leonardo Bonucci seems to have hit back at Antonio Cassano’s claims that the Old Lady only sign players willing to tow the line.

Speaking on Italian television last night, the new Inter player revealed that he has rejected the opportunity to join the Old Lady during his career.

“I refused three times to join them,” he stated. “They just want soldiers there, people who only go straight on their tracks.

“Sometimes I have to go to the right, to the left, where I feel like.”

Bonucci, a teammate of Cassano at Euro 2012, this afternoon responded to that comment using his Twitter account.

“Professionals more than soldiers…” was his brief message.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci punched armed mugger!

Oct 20, 2012

There are reports Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci escaped unharmed by punching an armed mugger.

The player was leaving a Ferrari dealership in Turin on Thursday with his wife and baby when he was confronted by a man who pointed a gun in his face and demanded he hand over his watch.

According to the report in La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Bonucci stayed perfectly still and the mugger grabbed his wrist, but the player spotted an opening and punched the attacker with his free hand.

The mugger then ran away to his accomplice on a nearby moped with Bonucci chasing on foot for a brief period.

The Italian international has reported the matter to police.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: 'I'm not a hero'

Oct 21, 2012

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci insists he is “not a superhero” after punching an armed mugger.

The Italian international was approached as he was getting into his car outside a Ferrari dealership in Turin, but punched the would-be thief who had a gun pointed to his head.

“A few days ago an unpleasant incident occurred,” wrote Bonucci on his Facebook page.

“I am not a hero, but I simply found myself in the wrong situation at the wrong time.

“It all happened in a matter of seconds and it came from an instinctive reaction and certainly not an attempt to emulate the superheroes you see at the cinema.”

[Socrates 7962]

Marchisio-Bonucci: What bust-up?

Nov 26, 2012

Juventus teammates Claudio Marchisio and Leonardo Bonucci have taken to Twitter to deny claims of a bust-up.

Reports this morning suggested that the two exchanged words during the 1-0 loss against Milan, where it was alleged that Marchisio blamed the defender for the defeat.

[Socrates 7962]

Bendtner: Who shot Bonucci?

Dec 10, 2012

Nicklas Bendtner has poked fun at Juventus teammate Leonardo Bonucci for his attempts to win a penalty with a dive at Palermo.

The centre-back went down in theatrical fashion at the Stadio Barbera which only resulted in his booking.

It seems that the incident amused Bendtner, who took to Twitter after the game with great amusement.

He wrote: “Who shot Bonucci? Haha.”

The Italian international apologised for his actions after the 1-0 win in Sicily. It proved to be a costly booking too as the player will now miss next week’s game against Atalanta.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Milan loss has made us grow

Dec 10, 2012

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has praised his side after they claimed a 1-0 win against Palermo on Sunday.

Stephan Lichtsteiner grabbed the winner for the Bianconeri and the Italy international has congratulated his teammates, as well as commenting on the Coppa Italia match with Cagliari on Wedensday.

“It was a great Juve performance,” he told the club's official website. “We have shown that the loss to Milan has made us grow as a team.

“The only drawback from the game was we needed to be more clinical.

“Now we have the Coppa Italia – it is an important match for us and is one of the objectives for our season.

“We will give 110% to win.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Juventus must regain hunger & humility

The Italy international feels that the Bianconeri need to show the right attitude

again if they are to stay clear of their rivals in the Serie A table.

Jan 14, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci has voiced his disappointment with Juventus' results in recent weeks and has urged his team-mates to show humility once more in order to get back on track.

The reigning Serie A champions were beaten 2-1 by Sampdoria last week and had to settle for a 1-1 draw versus Parma on Sunday afternoon, allowing Lazio to close the gap in the Italian top tier table to three points.

"We have to concentrate more and rediscover our edge because Lazio and Napoli are on our heels," Bonucci was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "We still have an advantage, but we require hunger and humility to increase the gap again.

"Against Sampdoria we had the wrong approach in the second half and it was an important lesson for us.

"Versus Parma, on the other hand, we were more careful. That’s football, though: there are times when you don’t get the results and don’t come away with the points."

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Juventus can go all the way in Champions League

The defender is confident that the Bianconeri can spring a surprise in Europe,

and has urged them to turn their focus to Serie A again.

Mar 7, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci believes that Juventus have what it takes to win the Champions League this term after eliminating Celtic in the round of 16.

The Serie A champions recorded a 5-0 win on aggregate over the Scottish champions to book their ticket for the quarter-finals, and Bonucci is optimistic about his side's chances at European glory.

"The dream continues. Anything’s possible when you get to this stage, you just need a bit of luck to go all the way. There’s little difference between the sides, they’re all very strong," the defender told reporters.

"Celtic looked to get back into the tie with long balls for [Georgios] Samaras, but we handled them well and did well to pounce. And then there’s Gigi [buffon], who also put in a great performance tonight."

Bonucci then turned his attention to the title race in Serie A, and stressed that Juventus must remain focused.

"Catania are next up and we can’t allow ourselves to be distracted. We’ve got a six-point lead in the league, but last year we were seven behind and then managed to win the Scudetto.

"So we’ll go on with a humble and focused approach, against a team who are enjoying a great season."

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Conte will not leave Juventus

The 25-year-old defender says that the Italian coach has a deep-rooted love

for the Old Lady and will not be tempted away by offers from some of Europe's elite clubs.

Mar 8, 2013

Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci says that he is not afraid of coach Antonio Conte leaving the club.

Bonucci has been quick to dispel any rumours that Conte will leave the Serie A champions, having been linked with some of Europe's top sides.

“He’s a true Juventino, he has that in his DNA, his dream is to stay at this club for as along as possible,” Bonucci told Tuttosport.

The 25-year-old also said that he was happy with life at the Turin side, adding: “I want to stay at this club too.

"Playing for Juventus is the maximum for me and I want to end my career here – I couldn’t ask for more than that,” he continued.

Bonucci also admitted he had no great preference as to who Juventus' next Champions League opponents would be, after his side qualified for the quarter-final stage by beating Celtic in the last 16.

“At this point of the competition, one side is just as good as another,” he said.

“Obviously if you look at the games between Schalke-Galatasaray and Porto-Malaga then we’d perhaps find a team that is a level below the rest.

“However, all of the sides left in the competition will be ones to fear.”

[Socrates 7962]

Italy on right road, says Bonucci

Mar 22, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci expects his Italy side to be a threat at the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

The Juventus stopper made the claim after last night’s 2-2 draw with Brazil, the country which will host both competitions.

“It was a great Italy,” he stated following the Geneva international friendly. “We created so many scoring opportunities.

“We’ve been doing some great work for the last two and a half years, we have a style of play and an identity.

“We can have our say at the Confederations Cup in the summer and the World Cup next year.”

The latest Azzurri squad contained eight Juventus players and five from Serie A rivals Milan.

“The Juventus block? There is a good base on which to build something important,” he added. “Look how well Emanuele Giaccherini played – he’s someone you can always rely on.

“Milan’s Mattia De Sciglio and Mario Balotelli? De Sciglio is a great talent,” he explained of the debutant. “He played a great game.

“Balotelli has important qualities and I congratulated him for his display. When he wants to make the difference then he does.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Title not won yet

Apr 19, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci has called for focus as his Juventus side edge towards another Italian championship.

The Old Lady have an 11 point lead at the top of the table with just six games left, meaning they only require another seven points to regain the Scudetto.

“We have to keep our guard up right until we are mathematically sure of winning the League again,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

The Turin giants have dominated in Serie A this term, but their hopes of a treble were ended by Bayern Munich in Europe and Lazio in the Coppa Italia.

“We’ll have to define the season we have had at the end of the campaign,” continued the centre-back.

“In the Champions League we gained a lot of experience which will be of use to us next time around, while we were unlucky in the Italian Cup.

“Had we taken that chance in the 96th minute of the semi-final against Lazio then we would be talking about another Final.”

Juve reached the Italian Cup Final last season, but were beaten by Napoli.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: 'Juve superpower'

May 5, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci feels “this is the Scudetto that confirms Juventus are a superpower.”

The Bianconeri celebrated a second consecutive Serie A title today and will go round Turin on an open-top bus.

“I’m still sober because we’ve got to go all round the city now!” grinned the defender.

“We started this season well and dominated the League. This is the Scudetto that confirms Juventus are a superpower.

“The secrets to our success are sacrifice, hunger and a sense of humility. Antonio Conte has a project with us, the club believes in him and there will be no problems for him to stay.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci: Juventus have dominated Serie A

The Italy international was delighted with his side's domestic success

and believes they were the outstanding team in Serie A this season.

May 6, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci has claimed Juventus fully deserve their Serie A success as they have dominated the Italian top flight this season.

The Turin powerhouse beat Palermo 1-0 on Sunday to clinch their second consecutive Serie A title with three games to spare, and Bonucci was over the moon with his side's success.

"We’ve dominated from start to finish and shown ourselves to be a united and tight-knit group that fights together for a single objective," Bonucci told the official Juventus website.

"It’s been demonstrated in recent matches when - even against top-level teams - we’ve been able to pick up crucial points. And now we’ve won the Scudetto with three games remaining.

"I felt more pressure in some matches last year, but that’s all part of football. In any case, winning in this way means that everyone has improved."

Juventus hold an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Napoli with three rounds of matches to play.

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci never feared Conte exit

May 16, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci says that none of the Juventus squad were concerned that boss Antonio Conte could leave the club.

Conte had refused to commit himself to the outfit until he held talks about the vision for the future. That meeting took place last night which satisfied the tactician.

“There was never a whiff that the marriage born two years ago between Juventus and Conte could end,” the defender noted.

“That was confirmed by the events of yesterday.

“It is only normal that discussions take place in certain situations, but they are more than welcome if they are constructive.

“Like in all big families, you argue, you discuss, you come to an agreement and marriages continue,” Bonucci added.

“We are ambitious, we want to keep winning and I think the decision made by the club and the Coach is the one that suits everyone.

“We want to keep building something important and we want to keep dreaming.”

[Socrates 7962]

Bonucci believes in Euro Juve

Jun 5, 2013

Leonardo Bonucci believes a reinforced Juventus will be able to challenge for the Champions League title next season.

The Old Lady have won the Scudetto over the last two campaigns, but their European Cup dream ended in the last eight against eventual winners Bayern Munich earlier this year.

“The big clubs are all strengthening,” the defender noted. “Even Bayern, who are already very strong, have signed great champions.

“But the best team doesn’t always win. Sometimes you just have to be able to take your chances.

“This season we met the best team, Bayern, in the last eight, while finalists Borussia Dortmund played Malaga and won at the end with an offside goal.

“For the time being, we in Italy need to count on sacrifice, hard work and on ideas. But Juve have a good base, a great Coach and they’ll know how to improve during this transfer session.”

Juve are being linked with a host of players, especially in attack, and Bonucci is happy with the names being mentioned.

“Stevan Jovetic is a great player, he’s shown at Fiorentina this year that he can make the difference and he would be certainly welcomed if he arrived.

“Perhaps we are missing a top player, someone who can decide the game for you in an instant. There were times when, especially against the smaller clubs, we struggled to break the deadlock.

“Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain or Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez? More Higuain.”

The Bianconeri are also being paired with a move for Torino centre-back Angelo Ogbonna.

“I’ve known him for a long time,” the Italian international added. “He’s a good guy and a very good player.

“He’s improved a lot over these years and it is only right that Juve are looking at him. If we want to improve we need 23 first team players.”

The stopper also expects Claudio Marchisio to remain amid reports that French side Monaco are planning a bid.

“He’s a world class player and if he’s wanted then it is because he’s a great champion, but I think it would be hard to get rid of a player who will become a Juve flag-bearer.”