For Union Berlin’s Leonardo Bonucci, the Champions League game at SSC Napoli will be no ordinary game. In advance, the 36-year-old European champion confirmed that his decision for Köpenick on Deadline Day was the right one and commented on the ongoing crisis at the capital city club, which has been without a win for twelve games.
Union is currently the weakest team in Europe’s top leagues and is in a relegation battle in the Bundesliga after being eliminated from the DFB Cup. “We have to play for our fans, we want to end this negative series. We didn’t expect it like that,” explained the Italian at a press conference on Tuesday evening. Bonucci has made five appearances in the league so far; he was not used in the first leg against Napoli in the premier class.
In recent weeks there have been reports that the right-footed player was dissatisfied with his situation after moving to the Spree and was spreading unrest in the team. The player and his teammates then clearly denied reports of this kind. When asked about his personal assessment after moving from Juventus, the defender explained: “Certainly none of us wanted to experience this situation here. But I am very, very happy with the choice. I have a wonderful experience with the coach, the group, the fans and the city. But: I live alone in Berlin and miss my wife and children.”
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Leonardo Bonucci | Juventus to Union Berlin | free of charge
Unions Bonucci on SSC Napoli: Team “deserves respect”
“Playing for an Italian in Italy is always something emotional,” continued the central defender, who warned of the strengths of last season’s champions based on his personal experience in Serie A. “I was lucky enough to play against Napoli for many years. I have seen how the team has improved. She deserves respect. “She also showed her quality in the game against us: one chance, one goal,” emphasized Bonucci. The club, whose stadium is named after its most famous professional Diego Armando Maradona, is second in Group C with six points before the game behind Real Madrid (9). SC Braga is third with three points, Union is last with no points.
Coach Urs Fischer also promised that they would do everything they could to try and take away what was countable. He expects a host “who will step on the gas right from the start”. His team also has to be brave. If they lose again, the knockout phase is no longer achievable for Union after four defeats in the first four group games – something that has never happened to any German team before.
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16 Benedict Hollerbach | 2023/24 for €2 million from Wiesbaden
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