Pirlo is much more like Allegri than Sarri, says Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci revealed new Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo reminds him more of Massimiliano Allegri than his predecessor Maurizio Sarri.

Bonucci was on target in Pirlo’s debut in the Turin dugout as Juventus cruised to a 3-0 win over Sampdoria in their Serie A opener on Sunday evening.

Many questions were raised over the 41-year-old’s credentials for the role before the match. Not only was he supposed to coach the U-23 team this season, but he’d only just got his coaching badges.

But the rookie manager shut down his doubters by overseeing an impressive first match in charge. Juventus were brilliant in a 3-4-1-2 formation, dominating possession in a stylish manner. In fact, they completed 90% of their 728 passes and made 20 shots on goal.

Aside from Bonucci, debutant Dejan Kulusevski and Cristiano Ronaldo were also on target for the Bianconeri.

Such is Pirlo’s impact, so far, that Bonucci already sees more common traits between the new boss and Allegri, who led the club to five successive league titles and two Champions League finals, compared to the man he replaced in Sarri.

Asked which of the former Bianconeri coaches that Pirlo resembles the most, Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia: “Much more similar to Allegri, that is obvious.

“Pirlo has much the same impact he had as a player – you knew that you could give him the ball and trust he wouldn’t lose it. Now it’s the same as a coach. There is that same trust.”

The Italian defender is hopeful of a promising campaign this time around after struggling under Sarri in the previous one.

“We saw some new ideas proposed by the coach and his staff, a new way of interpreting the game, a lot of enthusiasm both in possession and off the ball,” continued Bonucci.

“The big difference is the way we are attacking the game and taking the initiative, trying to bring home the result. Seeing the work of the last few weeks and this game, I think it is better.

“There are different movements, as with Sarri we moved far more as a group in defense, whereas with Pirlo we are more one-on-one, giving us more freedom to be aggressive and win back the ball more often.

“We have four central midfielders with the right characteristics to play like this. They are aggressive and also good at passing the ball. That way, we have more quality in possession, which I see as a difference from last season.”