Published On: Fri, Mar 22nd, 2013

Bonucci believes in Italy’s future

believes that the Italian national team has a bright future, which sees the team in a good position for the upcoming Confederations Cup.

The man featured in last night’s 2-2 draw with,World Cup 2014 hosts, Brazil.

He was full of praise for the teams performance and potential.

“It was a great – we created so many scoring opportunities,” he told reporters in a post-match interview.

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

The youth-graduate then answered questions on the number of club team-mates that feature for the Azzurri.

“The Juventus block? There is a good base on which to build something important.”

He reserved special praise for Emanuele Giaccherini; a man who seems to be a constant in Prandelli’s plans, despite the fact that he remains a bit-part player for club team Juventus.

“Look how well Emanuele Giaccherini played – he’s someone you can always rely on”

The defender was also quick to compliment the Milan duo Mario Balotelli, who scored Italy’s equaliser; and Mattia De Sciglio, who made his début for the national team last night.

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

“De Sciglio is a great talent – he played a great game,”

The game was a warm-up for Italy’s World Cup qualifier at Malta next Tuesday.

Italy are currently top of group B, and victory on Tuesday could extend their lead to 7 points if Bulgaria falter tonight, against the same opposition.

Bonucci made his full international début, in a friendly, against Cameroon in 2010; last nights draw was his 25th appearance for the Azzurri.

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About the Author

- There was always an Italian presence in the home during my childhood, as my parents often lodged out the spare-room to Italian students. Already a child with a keen interest in football, the obsession with calcio that came along with these visitors seemed only natural. Thankfully, I outgrew a Parma jersey I received as a gift from one such student, and traded it for a Roma shirt. The lure of Zeman's gladiator's was irresistible, as was the technique of the young maestro Francesco Totti. 15 years on, and although Totti has gone from young prodigy to legend, Zeman is back and I'm still waving the red and yellow flag.

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