A steward mistook Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci for a fan and grabbed him in a hilarious moment after the Azzurri reached the Euro 2020 semi-final.
Roberto Mancini’s side beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley on Tuesday night and the scenes were superb, with Italy players celebrating with their rabid fans who made the trip.
Many went over to the stands in the bottom tier to share a special moment in England’s national stadium. Bonucci was right in the thick of it, oozing passion as he went right over to the supporters.
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| Image: PA |
But he was left utterly perplexed after a nearby steward put their hands on him – clearly thinking he was a fan trying to enter the pitch.
Footage was posted on social media and it could well be the best moment of the Euros so far. The expression on his face as he is being grabbed is absolutely priceless.
When the steward thought Bonucci was a fan trying to get back onto the pitch 🤣#ITAESP #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/SJ4QjmNMcm
— Sam Huxley (@samhuxley) July 6, 2021
⚽️ Leonardo Bonucci è stato confuso per un invasore da una steward dopo aver festeggiato vicino alla tribuna. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/YdvsW7fkX8
— Sport RSI (@RSIsport) July 6, 2021
That moment when a steward thought Leonardo Bonucci was a fan trying to enter the pitch 🤣#ITAESP #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/nSfoLJsGVH
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) July 6, 2021
Bonucci and his defensive partner Giorgio Chiellini both produced imperious performances at the back, before the 34-year-old converted his penalty in the shoot-out.
His fist-pumping celebration was quite evidently a release stemming from his miss against Germany at Euro 2016.
The Juventus defender described the game as the “toughest” he had ever played in and is now calling for his teammates to replicate the same drive and determination in the final on Sunday.
“The victory you suffer for is always the most enjoyable one,” he told RAI Sport, as per Football Italia.
“We knew they could try a few surprises, as Luis Enrique has done that a few times in his career. They moved around a lot upfront and didn’t give us reference points, but we brought home a historic result with the heart of the Italians.
“Now there’s one more centimetre to go. Just one more centimetre. It’s incredible what we are doing. We’re in the final, it is in five days, and we need the same hunger and spirit of sacrifice to bring this trophy home after many years.”
Featured Image Credit: RSI