Daniele Bonera

Italian footballer

Daniele Bonera (; born 31 May 1981) is an Italian retired footballer who played as a centre back. He is currently working as an assistant coach at AC Milan. Prior to joining Spanish Villarreal in 2015, with whom he retired in 2019, he had previously played for Italian clubs Brescia, Parma, and in particular Milan, where he won several titles, including the 2010–11 Serie A and the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team on 16 occasions; he also won the 2004 UEFA European Under 21 Championship with the Italy national under 21 football team, as well as a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Bonera signed for Brescia in 1995 and played at the youth teams of Brescia until the end of 1998–99 season, where he made his first team debut for Brescia in 1999–2000. He played a total of 72 games in his three seasons with Brescia. in a €3.3 million transfer deal.

Bonera's UEFA Champions League came against Belgian side Anderlecht on 17 October 2006, in which he received a red card after receiving a second yellow in the 47th minute for what, in the referee's view, was petulantly kicking the ball away as Anderlecht waited to take a free kick. After struggling at right back, Bonera was moved to centre back after several defenders were injured, and after the acquisition of Massimo Oddo from Lazio in January, a natural right back. Bonera slotted in well at centre back, becoming one of Milan's better players. However, he struggled with a niggling injury in the second half of the 2008–09 season, joining Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze on the treatment table. In September 2009, he signed a contract extension which will last until 2013. After a ten month injury lay off, Bonera made a successful 45 minute comeback against Novara in the Coppa Italia on 13 January 2010. Because of Milan's great central defensive partnership of Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva, Bonera was deployed at his former position, right back. He slotted in well, playing much better in that position than when he first joined Milan. Because of this, Bonera became Milan's starting right back, but when Gianluca Zambrotta, Luca Antonini and Massimo Oddo all returned from injury, he lost his starting place in the position. When Nesta once again found himself on the treatment table, however, coach Leonardo chose Bonera to fill in for him in central defence. On 23 May 2013, amid speculation of a move to Juventus, Bonera signed a new contract with Milan until 30 June 2015. During these two years, he mainly played as a backup player to first choice centre backs Philippe Mexès and Alex.

At the end of his deal with Milan in the summer of 2015, Bonera was released and was linked with a move to newly promoted Carpi, though he instead joined La Liga club Villarreal. On 9 July 2019, after spending four seasons at the club as a backup option, he announced his retirement.

On 9 July 2019 Bonera was announced as part of Marco Giampaolo's new coaching staff at A. C. Milan, rejoining the club as an assistant coach. He was confirmed also following the appointment of Stefano Pioli as new head coach. In November 2020, after both Pioli and assistant Giacomo Murelli were diagnosed positive for COVID 19, Bonera acted as interim head coach for the club on a temporary basis.

At youth level, Bonera was capped for both the 2002 and 2004 UEFA European Under 21 Championships. He also played at the 2000 Toulon Tournament. He was capped 34 times at U 21 international level. Bonera has been capped 16 times for the Italian senior team between 2001 and 2008. he made his non friendly debut under Marcello Lippi in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier. but after Gianluca Zambrotta was confirmed to be fit, Bonera was excluded from the final 23 man squad and sent home. After the 2006 World Cup, he was re called for the first time under new manager Roberto Donadoni, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland, a match scheduled for 28 March 2007. However, he had to withdraw due to injury. In October and November 2007, he was called up again. He played in a 2–0 friendly win against future 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa with an experimental Italy squad, and also came on as a substitute for Fabio Cannavaro in a 3–1 home win in a Euro 2008 qualifier against the Faroe Islands. He was not selected for Euro 2008. After Marcello Lippi became Italy coach for the second time, Bonera was re called in Lippi's first few matches, but was later left out of his squad due to injury. After the injury, Bonera was called up to the last friendly before the formal announcement of Italy's 2010 World Cup squad, against Cameroon. However, he failed to enter both the preliminary World Cup squad on 11 May and the training camp on 4–5 May.

Usually deployed as a centre back, in his prime, Bonera was known for his pace, physical strength, and versatility as a defender, and was also capable of playing as a full back on either side of the pitch.

Daniele Bonera is married to Paola Bonera. Bonera has one child with his wife, a daughter, Talita Bonera. On 13 October 2020 he tested positive for COVID 19.