Positioning isn't his issue. He isn't athletic at all, no jumping, strength or speed. He reads the game well, tends to position himself well and is great at starting plays. He took a while to look good at juve to learn his teammates and I feel it will be similar here for us. The defense needs to learn each other's movements and strengths/weaknesses to click as a unit.
So much for a defensive leader
I am really surprised by the excessive criticism of Bonucci here. I get the feeling some posters here do not understand what Milan have bought in Bonucci.
Bonucci is a world class Libero, a role which is back in fashion these days. He is possibly the best one on the planet. He is not the best defender or man marker, that is not his role. Libero is a free role in the defence, someone who sets the line and creates counter attacks. But a Libero needs two CBs around him to protect him and the defence for this to work. Its like having a Pirlo of the defence. Pirlo needed someone like Gattuso next to him. The principle is the same. At Juventus, Bonucci worked very well because he had Barzagli and Chiellini next to him.
Some of you are expecting Bonucci to be a great CB/man marker. That premise is just wrong. Its like asking Pirlo to be a DM. Not only will he be poor at it, its also a colossal waste of world class talent.
I am really surprised by the excessive criticism of Bonucci here. I get the feeling some posters here do not understand what Milan have bought in Bonucci.
Bonucci is a world class Libero, a role which is back in fashion these days. He is possibly the best one on the planet. He is not the best defender or man marker, that is not his role. Libero is a free role in the defence, someone who sets the line and creates counter attacks. But a Libero needs two CBs around him to protect him for this to work. Because the Libero is not the one who typically stops/wins the ball, he is the one who gets the ball out of the defence. Its like having a Pirlo in the defensive line, coz a Libero is to defense what a Regista is to the midfield. Pirlo needed someone like Gattuso next to him. The principle is the same. At Juventus, Bonucci worked very well because he had Barzagli and Chiellini next to him. At Milan for this to work, you need Romagnoli and Musacchio to step up.
Some of you are judging Bonucci purely based on his man marking skills. That premise is just wrong, he is not supposed to be marking anyone. Its like asking Pirlo to be a DM. Not only will he be poor at it, its also a colossal waste of world class talent.
P.S. - Dont call players WC if they can only excel at one fucking thing but cant do their main job properly.
Right now what he's good at is his twitter/instagram game, just like #Dedication in the past
why is he getting blame when the man responsible is zapata? (and montella)
first goal is 100% on zapata, he assisted the other zapata ffs
why is he getting blame when the man responsible is zapata? (and montella)
I am really surprised by the excessive criticism of Bonucci here. I get the feeling some posters here do not understand what Milan have bought in Bonucci.
Bonucci is a world class Libero, a role which is back in fashion these days. He is possibly the best one on the planet. He is not the best defender or man marker, that is not his role. Libero is a free role in the defence, someone who sets the line and creates counter attacks. But a Libero needs two CBs around him to protect him for this to work. Because the Libero is not the one who typically stops/wins the ball, he is the one who gets the ball out of the defence. Its like having a Pirlo in the defensive line, coz a Libero is to defense what a Regista is to the midfield. Pirlo needed someone like Gattuso next to him. The principle is the same. At Juventus, Bonucci worked very well because he had Barzagli and Chiellini next to him. At Milan for this to work, you need Romagnoli and Musacchio to step up.
Some of you are judging Bonucci purely based on his man marking skills. That premise is just wrong, he is not supposed to be marking anyone. Its like asking Pirlo to be a DM. Not only will he be poor at it, its also a colossal waste of world class talent.