The match against Genoa on Saturday marked not only the end of the 100% form on the Italian Serie A after nine rounds but also the restart of a relationship. The 1-1 draw on Juventus versus Genoa marked the comeback of defender and former captain Leonardo Bonucci to once again wear the famous armband of the Old Lady in an official match. At least one person had reasons to keep on smiling after the game, right?
His happiness was not because of his defensive performance, once Juventus conceded a goal, and neither on the attack, once the goal was scored by once more, the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. The 31-year-old player came back to Juventus this year, after spending a bad one season at Milan, and for the first time after his return, he was named the captain of his squad. The last time he achieved it, was back in 2017, before playing for the “Rossoneri”, in the match against Torino.
However, it seems that many players – and fans as well – didn’t like the fact that Bonucci was the captain. One of the players could be the Croatian Mario Mandzukic. When asked about it, Leonardo tweed saying that it was not necessary to look back and that the team has to focus on the future and their next match, for UEFA Champions League, against Manchester United.
According to the Italian newspaper, the Gazzetta Dello Sport, the decision to make the defender Juventus’ captain was taken by the whole team, the players, the coach Massimiliano Allegri and also by important people on the club, like the former player Pavel Nedved.
Honestly, it seems that Juve wanted to send a message to all their supporters and football fans. The message is that Leonardo Bonucci is completely forgiven for leaving the club on last season and playing for Milan and that he still is one of the leaders of the team.