Bonucci praises Bastoni: "I helped him through difficult moments with Italy"

Bonucci praised Bastoni's development as a defender, saying he helped him through difficult moments with Italy and sees him as the closest modern equivalent to his own playing style.

At an Iliad and Lega Serie A event at the VAR Centre in Lissone, Leonardo Bonucci, now a technical collaborator to Italy manager Mancini, discussed the evolution of modern football and highlighted Alessandro Bastoni's growth as a player. Bonucci noted that Bastoni, who plays centre-left in Inter's three-man defence, shares similar characteristics to his own playing style, particularly in building play from the back. He praised Bastoni's maturity in leadership and communication, and mentioned supporting him through difficult moments they experienced together with the national team.