New Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is confident of a big season ahead for club and country.

The 23-year-old defender has signed for the Bianconeri this summer and is forging a partnership with Giorgio Chiellini for both club and country.

"It could've gone better, but considering how fit the Ivory Coast were, it didn't go all that badly either," he said of the 1-0 friendly defeat this Tuesday.

"Cannavaro's 'shirt' does not weigh heavily on my shoulders. In football eras begin and they end.

"At both Juve and the Nazionale it is my time now, whereas Fabio represents an important past."

An Inter youth product who made his name at Bari last season, Bonucci told the Gazzetta dello Sport that Juve were always in his destiny.

"I have always supported Juventus, but my family are all Inter fans. I am the only black-and-white sheep.

"Last season everyone asked if I was an Inter fan because of my past with the club, but I always explained that I was grateful to the side that helped introduce me into the top levels of football and that was it.

"Besides, in my room as a kid I had posters of Alessandro Del Piero and Angelo Peruzzi.

"I had a great season with Bari, I've done the hard work and I'm hungry for success. Now I want to win the Europa League with Juventus and earn a place in the next Champions League."