Bonucci hopes ‘loopy choice’ to hitch Union Berlin pays off at Euro 2024

BERLIN (AP) — Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is hoping his “loopy choice” to hitch Union Berlin pays off on the European Championship subsequent yr.

The 36-year-old Bonucci, who joined Union from Italian big Juventus on the final day of the summer season switch window, goals to finish his worldwide profession on a excessive when Italy defends its title at Euro 2024.

Germany will host the event and Bonucci has arrived within the nation a complete season earlier than his potential teammates after selecting to depart Italy’s Serie A for the primary time.

It wasn’t his first selection. Bonucci initially needed to see out the remaining yr of his contract at Juventus, the place he made greater than 500 appearances, however coach Massimiliano Allegri advised the participant he was not needed. Bonucci despatched a authorized discover to the membership after being excluded from preseason coaching.

Union and Italian membership Lazio provided a means out. Bonucci opted for the previous – a crew that was solely promoted to the Bundesliga for the primary time in 2019 – regardless of the difficulties of studying one other language and leaving his household in Turin. He mentioned he desires to broaden his views.

“I do know this can be a loopy choice,” Bonucci advised journalists this week. “However I have to put myself out of my consolation zone. I performed 20 years in Italy.”

Bonucci mentioned he desires turn into a coach after his taking part in profession, and the transfer to Germany will assist him expertise a distinct life-style, model of play, coaching strategies and outlook.

Union’s Swiss coach Urs Fischer performed a job in Bonucci’s choice to hitch the Kopenick-based crew.

“We spoke in Italian, that is a very powerful,” Bonucci joked. “No, we spoke principally about my scenario as a result of in Juventus I did 50 days’ coaching with two or three gamers. It is utterly totally different to do coaching with the entire crew. I advised him I wanted three to 4 weeks to be prepared and we’re now within the fourth week and I hope to be match very quickly.”

Bonucci made his Union debut in Actual Madrid’s last-gasp 1-0 win within the Champions League final week, then conceded a penalty on his Bundesliga debut, a 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim, on Saturday.

It was Union’s second consecutive loss at house, the place it beforehand had a 24-game unbeaten run. Altogether the crew has misplaced its final 4 video games.

“It is tough, however I do know we’ll enhance,” mentioned Bonucci, who mentioned defending within the Bundesliga is “utterly totally different” than in Serie A as a result of defenders have to cowl more room in Germany.

“That is essentially the most tough factor for defending as a result of you want to assault the striker. In any other case, you want to cowl. It’s essential to learn the scenario very nicely as a result of you will have opponents like (Bayer Leverkusen ahead Victor) Boniface who’re very, very speedy,” Bonucci mentioned.

Union completed fourth within the Bundesliga final season — a outstanding achievement given the crew’s restricted sources — to achieve Europe’s premier competitors for the primary time. It is taking part in its Champions League house video games at Olympiastadion, historically the house of metropolis rival Hertha Berlin, to cater for elevated supporter and company demand.

Olympiastadion has greater than thrice the capability of Union’s Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, however the choice to maneuver has been criticized by some Union supporters.

Union followers worth performances over outcomes and Bonucci was shocked to see them celebrating the crew even after dropping at house to hated rival Leipzig, ending its lengthy unbeaten run.

Bonucci mentioned he turned to teammate Robin Knoche and advised him, “‘However they’re loopy. We misplaced the sport.’ Robin mentioned it is at all times the identical. Our supporters are like this. It is too essential for them that we give all we have now on the pitch. They’re completely happy if we win however a very powerful (factor) is FC Union Berlin.”

Bonucci mentioned the followers’ response after the loss in Madrid was “a really, very particular second for me.”

Bonucci, who captained Italy on his final nationwide crew look in June, mentioned he had already spoken with new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti about including to his 121 appearances.

“He mentioned to me that I have to play a variety of video games to be within the squad,” Bonucci mentioned.

His subsequent likelihood is at promoted Heidenheim within the Bundesliga on Saturday, then Union welcomes Braga for its first house sport within the Champions League on Tuesday.

“I believe I’ve the chance to play a variety of video games from now to the top of the season,” Bonucci mentioned.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer