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Atalanta's Giacomo Bonaventura reveals Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero is his biggest idol
The midfielder shared his thoughts ahead of the Bergamo-based club's meeting with the Old Lady at the weekend, including his long-standing admiration of the evergreen No.10
Jan 19, 2012 7:48:00 AM
By Fabrizio Ponciroli
Goal.com
Atalanta midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura states that Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero has exerted the greatest influence on his career to date.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com on Thursday, the 22-year-old revealed the World Cup winner was his boyhood idol, and added that he would declare his career a success if he attained even a quarter of the striker's achievements.
"When I was little I liked [Del Piero] a lot. It will be really nice to see him. He is an example to follow. Even if I am able to replicate only a quarter of what he has done in his career, it'd be very fulfilling for me," Bonaventura said.
Bonaventura then discussed Atalanta's forthcoming opponents Juventus, whom he described as a genuine title contender, before speaking highly of the club's coach Antonio Conte.
The 41-year-old endured a disappointing spell between September 2009 and January 2010 in charge of Atalanta, but the starlet insisted despite his failings, he learned a great deal from the trainer.
"I knew immediately that [Conte] had great ideas for me and as a coach he is a gentleman. Even though my experience with him was brief, I learned a lot from him," he said.
"I really hope we can put on a good match. Juventus are a great team with some great champions, so it will not be easy.
"They are a very tough opponent, and although I did not expect them to start so strongly, I knew they had the right qualities to fight for the title."
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com on Thursday, the 22-year-old revealed the World Cup winner was his boyhood idol, and added that he would declare his career a success if he attained even a quarter of the striker's achievements.
"When I was little I liked [Del Piero] a lot. It will be really nice to see him. He is an example to follow. Even if I am able to replicate only a quarter of what he has done in his career, it'd be very fulfilling for me," Bonaventura said.
Bonaventura then discussed Atalanta's forthcoming opponents Juventus, whom he described as a genuine title contender, before speaking highly of the club's coach Antonio Conte.
The 41-year-old endured a disappointing spell between September 2009 and January 2010 in charge of Atalanta, but the starlet insisted despite his failings, he learned a great deal from the trainer.
"I knew immediately that [Conte] had great ideas for me and as a coach he is a gentleman. Even though my experience with him was brief, I learned a lot from him," he said.
"I really hope we can put on a good match. Juventus are a great team with some great champions, so it will not be easy.
"They are a very tough opponent, and although I did not expect them to start so strongly, I knew they had the right qualities to fight for the title."
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