Napoli’s Buongiorno dubbed the new Chiellini by former Milan defender | OneFootball

Alessandro Buongiorno’s displays at Napoli are really catching the eye and ex-Milan defender Alessandro Costacturta believes the centre-back has the quality to follow in Giorgio Chiellini’s footsteps.

Buongiorno of Napoli compared to Chiellini after secure display against Inter

The Partenopei signed Buongiorno from Torino for €35m and €5m in add-ons last summer, and the 25-year-old took little time to become a defensive cornerstone to Antonio Conte’s side, who boasts the second-best defence in the league after Juventus’.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Weston McKennie of Juventus is challenged by Scott McTominay and Alessandro Buongiorno of Napoli during the Serie A match between Juventus and Napoli at Allianz Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Against Inter, Buongiorno once again delivered a defensive masterclass to help the Partenopei secure a vital 1-1 draw at San Siro, as he mustered three clearances and three interceptions, crucially blocking a Benjamin Pavard shot from a promising position and stopping every attempt of dribbling from his opponents.

Moreover, he won all of his seven duels and made both Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram inoffensive, leading former Milan defender Costacurta, now a TV pundit for Sky Sport Italia, to draw a comparison with Juventus’ legend Giorgio Chiellini.

“This is his third year performing very well,” Costacurta said after Inter-Napoli.

“He has had significant growth. Chiellini played a slightly rougher style of football, but in this respect, Buongiorno is a likely successor to Giorgio.

“He’s always very attentive and physical, and against Inter, he made two interventions that showcased the reading of an excellent defender.”