By Anna Italia
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Here are the declarations of Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Spain on Thursday 6 October 2016 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy.  It’s a challenge for Bonucci because Coach Gian Piero Ventura will rely on Bonucci’s experience as defender Giorgio Chiellini is suspended for this game.

According to Bonucci,  “We’re playing a different team.  They will be more motivated, in better psychological and physical condition and they’ll want revenge for the defeat at the Euros. They’re the group favourites. They can pick some of the world’s best players in every part of the pitch and, if we’re to cause an upset, we’ll have to play a hard-running game like we did in Paris and be clinical in front of goal.”

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Bonucci having an advantage feeling at home as the match against Spain will be played at the Juventus Stadium.   “It’s a stadium that always gives me a particular emotion. I feel it’s my stadium and it gives me extra energy. It’s not a decisive game, but it is certainly an important match for evaluating our qualities. We have to bring a bit more to the party than we did against Israel in order to avoid complicating our path towards Russia 2018.”

Bonucci was clearly emotional when speaking about his recent difficult period at a personal level: “What I’ve been through in the last two months has made me stronger. I thank my son and my wife. There were difficult moments but we fought together. There are times in life that make you grow up and they show you the true importance of things. There are more important things than a misplaced pass. When you’re right in the head and the heart, you can confront anything.”

The Bianconeri defender was then asked about the differences between Conte and Ventura: “Conte is more meticulous and motivational, but the footballing styles are similar. Both prepare virtually every game based on the opponents’ weaknesses”. Speaking of opponents, Bonucci will find himself up against Morata on Thursday, just a few months after parting ways at Juventus: “It will be nice to see Alvaro. In a couple of years’ time, he will be one of the best forwards in the world. He will be difficult to mark, but I’ll give everything, just like the rest of the team, so that we can take on a Spain side that will arrive in Turin with the right amount of confidence, but also the right amount of humility”. On Thursday, the task of replacing Chiellini will probably fall to Romagnoli, who seems to have got over the thigh strain he picked up the day before AC Milan vs. Sassuolo: “Alessio – along with Rugani – will be a rock for the Italy team in the future. Whenever he plays, he knows what to do and which are the best

Photo:   figc.it

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