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Bonucci: “Raring to go after the break"

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Bonucci: “Raring to go after the break"
Bonucci: “Raring to go after the break"
Bonucci: “Raring to go after the break"

The first Filo Diretto of 2015 on @Jtv231 stars @bonucci_leo19 and obviously began with a 'Happy New Year to all Juve fans'.

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 2, 2015

Leo Bonucci was hosted in the JTV studios this morning for the first Filo Diretto in 2015. The defender answered a rapid-fire round of questions from the fans, reflecting on the successes of last year and providing an insight into his plans for the future – to go on improving as a player with Juventus.

The new year starts with an enticing match-up against Inter on Tuesday night and the Bianconeri can't wait for it. Bonucci explained: “We're raring to go after the Christmas break. We want to put the Super Cup behind us – it wasn't good to end the year with a defeat so we're looking to bounce back with a vengeance.”

Inter are the first obstacle on the path that could lead to a fourth straight Scudetto crown, but if that is to happen, “We can't afford to drop points along the way,” Leo says. “We have to close games out so we don't risk losing points. There's a very level playing field in the middle of the table and every match is a potential banana skin.”

Leo also looked ahead to the Bianconeri's Champions League encounter with Borussia Dortmund in February: “They're a great side and the outcome of our two legs against them will tell us how far we've come on the European stage.”

Indeed, a lot could hinge on the forthcoming last-16 tie, especially as Juve have set themselves a minimum target for Europe: “We want to be among the top eight teams on the continent. The Champions League is a tough competition: you need to be good but you also need a bit of luck. You can't hold anything back, you just have to go out there and give everything you have.”

One thing's for sure, Bonucci is champing at the bit to get a taste of the action again: “I can't deny that I've found it hard sitting on the sidelines. I couldn't wait to get back out on the training pitch.”

That's hardly surprising, given how far his enthusiasm for the black and white stripes goes back:

.@bonucci_leo19: I supported Juve as a kid and I'll always defend these colours passionately.

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 2, 2015

He continued: “I enjoy every second of the game, including the warm-up – I'm always one of the first ones out there.”

Asked to name his best goal ever, the 27-year-old quipped with a grin: “I haven't scored it yet! But considering those I've scored so far, it has to be the one in our 3-2 win over Roma, without a shadow of doubt. It was the winning goal in a top-of-the-table clash and it opened up a three-point gap over our closest rivals.”

The ongoing duel with the capital club proved to be a recurring theme in the defender's thoughts. He picked out the last two meetings with the Giallorossi - together with the victory over Olympiakos (“key for our qualification”) - as among the three most important games of 2014.

Finally, what are Bonucci's targets for 2015? “I want to become a better player and win as much as possible!”

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