Italy midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura says it was a special emotion to score his first goal for the Azzurri at 34-years-old. The Fiorentina man made his return to the national team after a long absence and continued his brilliant run of form this season, scoring the opening goal with a lovely individual finish. Speaking with Sky Sport Italia post-match, Bonaventura talked about his happiness at making it back to the Azzurri squad and his new role in the setup:
“It was a special emotion, today we met a team that was a bit closed up and it was important to unlock the game. I’m happy for the goal”.
“I’ve always hoped to return to the national team, even though as time went by I had fewer chances. I’m happy, I feel good and I’m happy to be here. I hope to give a hand’.
“Ten years ago the midfielder was a different role, you played in a more wait-and-see manner. Now you play more forward and you have to raise the technical level, it’s important to break through. Here I am facilitated because the coach asks us more or less the same things of Italiano.”
“‘My goal is to do well with Fiorentina and if I am called upon here it is to do my best. The European Championship is not far away, if I play a great championship why not? I thank the coach for the chance, he made us understand that whoever does well goes to the national team. I’m in a good condition, I feel good. The goal is to continue at this level.
