Torino captain Alessandro Buongiorno has admitted that he idolises two AC Milan legends amid links with a potential summer move to the Rossoneri.
Milan were heavily linked with a move for Buongiorno during the January transfer window as they looked for a reinforcement to help their injury crisis.
However, Milan failed to reach the €30-35m that president Urbano Cairo demanded for the Italy international net of any counterparts like Lorenzo Colombo.
There have been reports since suggesting that they could co back in for him when the window reopens, with a new central defender still high on the list of priorities.
Buongiorno gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his career to this point and he also mentioned two Milan legends as being among his idols. His comments were relayed by Calciomercato.com.
Tell us about when you rejected Atalanta…
“We talked a lot in those days, the president Urbano Cairo and I, and it seemed to us that staying was the fairer choice, for me and I hope also for the team. I’m fine here, I’m happy. We know we have to leverage the collective, the sense of team. We are an orchestra, not a group of soloists. It’s Torino, my ‘big club’.”
Who is the most difficult player you have faced?
“For me Lukaku. He is very difficult. He has great physicality, and he uses it. You have to be very careful not to give him space. With him you need to play in advance. Another very strong player, also If I’ve never marked him up until now, it’s Osimhen. He’s got running, power, competitive ferocity.”
Who are your idols?
“There are two: Nesta and Maldini. I know their matches by heart, I consumed YouTube to see the way they defended and participated in the game.”
What was your favourite game to this point?
“The one in the Coppa Italia against Milan [11 January 2023]. We had 10 men and won with a goal in the final stages. Then the debut for the national team, during the Nations League.
“I wasn’t among the players called up and I was on holiday with my friends. The day before the call I had made a joke saying that I had been contacted to join the Azzurri. Then when it happened they really didn’t believe it.
“But above all my debut in the Granata shirt against Crotone. I came on in the eightieth minute and injured my elbow six minutes later. Joy and pain, Granata stuff.”
