On the eve of the European Championship Round of 16 match against Switzerland, Italy defender Buongiorno emphasized the team’s effort and his personal preparation: “I’ve been giving my all in training, making sure I’m in top shape. It won’t be easy against Switzerland, as they’re a strong team, but we’re confident.”
Speaking about his personal growth and the feeling of playing for his country, Buongiorno was visibly proud: “Every time I wear the national team jersey is a precious experience, making me more confident. My growth path at Torino has been significant for me, and the support of my family is also crucial. Now, standing here, representing Torino and my country, I feel incredibly excited.”
Regarding the tactical side of things, Buongiorno shared his thoughts on the three-back system: “The three-back system gives the centre-backs more space, but the most important thing is to employ a tactic that causes problems for the opponent. Regardless of the formation, we’ll give it our all.”
He also mentioned teammate Calafiori’s performance and gave him high praise.
Concerning the dramatic match against Croatia in the previous round, Buongiorno expressed special gratitude to teammate Zaccagni for his goal in the final moments: “His goal allowed us to advance, and we’re proud of him. This proves the never-say-die spirit of the Italian team. Italy’s defence has a long tradition, and we young players learn from the past masters, watching their matches and absorbing their experiences. We hope to reach their level.”
Looking ahead to the clash against Switzerland, Buongiorno expressed respect for the opponent and the team’s determination: “Switzerland are fast and have a strong counter-attacking ability. We’ll stick to our game plan and limit their strengths. This will be a tough match, and we can’t afford to be complacent.”
Touching upon the knockout stages of this European Championship, Buongiorno acknowledged that the path in theory may be more favorable but cautioned against underestimating any opponent: “The opponents in this half of the bracket are relatively weaker, but that doesn’t mean the matches will be easy. We’ll do everything we can to go all the way. That’s what we can guarantee. Hopefully, we’ll succeed; it’s important for us and for all Italians. The competition in this European Championship is very fierce; every team is strong and dangerous. This is clear from the current results.”
Finally, Buongiorno also mentioned a message from Torino’s new head coach, Vannoli, demonstrating the club’s support and expectations: “He encouraged me to focus on the European Championship and said we’ll have a more in-depth conversation when I return. I have some knowledge of his coaching abilities and look forward to working with him at Torino.”
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