Bonini: 'Defending is my priority, but scoring is a bonus'
The 24-year-old UD Almería centre-back talks about scoring debut in La Coruña, the team’s recent form and his personal life
Federico Bonini, one of UD Almería's key signings this summer, has become a standout player in the team's defensive line. His solid performances at the back have been matched by an unexpected contribution in attack, as he netted his first LaLiga Hypermotion goal against RC Deportivo de La Coruña. Bonini, however, remains focused on his primary role as a defender.
The Italian centre-back emphasised his commitment to defensive duties but acknowledged that scoring is a welcome bonus. 'I focus on defending, which is my main job and if I can help the team with a goal, even better,' he explained. Although his first LaLiga Hypermotion goal was ruled out by VAR against Real Valladolid CF, his recent strike against Dépor was a testament to his growing attacking prowess.
A regular contributor in front of goal during his time in Italian second-tier Serie B, where he bagged 9 goals and registered 5 assists last season, Bonini has shown he can do more than just defend. 'The number isn't normal for a centre-back,' he said, reflecting on his attacking stats. 'But if I can, I like to contribute in attack and get out with the ball,' he added.
In his interview with UDA Radio, Bonini revealed that his goal against Deportivo came from routine training: 'These are plays we practice every day. Nico Melamed put the set-piece on a plate for me and I took advantage of it.' Despite the draw in La Coruña, Bonini was optimistic about the team’s performance and reiterated the importance of building on recent positive results.
Looking ahead, Bonini stressed the need for victory in Saturday's encounter against Real Zaragoza. 'We want to extend our good form and winning this match would be a huge step forward,' he said, acknowledging the difficulty of the upcoming challenge.
Bonini also shared his thoughts on the differences between Spain’s Segunda and Italy’s Serie B. 'The Spanish league is more technical, with top-level players. In Italy, it’s perhaps more tactical,' the 24-year-old pointed out.
On a personal note, Bonini expressed his contentment with life in Almería, where the climate and vibrant city life have made him feel at home. 'The city is very lively and I’ve had the chance to visit beautiful places like Cabo de Gata natural park,' he concluded.