Leonardo Bonucci discussed the clash with Villarreal and more topics in an interview: “The two matches will be complicated as they know how to play football and they have experience.” The defender also mused on his role and Dusan Vlahovic while talking to El Pais.
“When we had Cristiano Ronaldo, we started every game with a one-goal advantage. He transmitted energy and the right mentality to the group. We can not compare him with Vlahovic, who is a pure center-forward and very young. He gives us a reference point in the box to lean on when opposing teams park the bus. We were missing that type of player. However, he needs to be given time to make mistakes and grow. He can become a goal poacher of the level of Robert Lewandowski, while Cristiano was an alien that won five Ballons d’Or.”
Bonucci dished on his lengthy relationship with Giorgio Chiellini: “Our secret is the chemistry that has been built over time. We have played together for over ten years. At some point, you are able to pick each other’s brains. It becomes a constant interchange, and you can anticipate the movements and act accordingly.”
The veteran commented on how defenders evolved in recent years: “First of all, you need to be able to read games properly, especially when someone gives the ball away. You have to coordinate with your teammates and guide the line and the whole squad. It is like being a guardian at this point, as you have to direct the midfielders and call the pressure by the strikers. Over time, I learned that I need to have restraint and just clear the ball on some occasions to avoid taking risks. However, I have always liked to make a key pass.”