Guest of the first edition of the Serie A Festival organized in Parma, Gigi Buffon analyzed the moment of Spalletti’s national team that in a few days the European Championship will begin in Germany: the tournament will start on Friday 14 June, Italy will debut the following day against Albania in a group which also includes Croatia and Spain. The Azzurri present themselves as reigning champions thanks to the triumph at Wembley in 2021. Spalletti wants to repeat the path taken three years ago by former coach Mancini, Buffon smiles confidently: “We’re arriving at the European Championships well, the boys did a great job this week I also work from a physical point of view.” The former goalkeeper also returns to a 0-0 draw against Turkey in the last friendly: “That wasn’t the match in which we had to show our best. We need positivity and optimism, we can be protagonists”
“DONNARUMMA THE BEST IN THE WORLD” – National team but not only, because Buffon also answered questions about the man who for many is his heir in goal for Italy. Gigio Donnarumma will still be the starter for the Azzurri, for the former Juventus goalkeeper there is no one better than him: “At the moment he is the strongest in the world, I struggle to find anyone better than him. There are times when you do better and others worse, but I put him ahead of Courtois, Neuer and Ter Stegen.”
THE OTHER NATIONAL NATIONALS – Italy but not only, an eye also on the other favourites: “We have the ambition to get to the end and excel, this gives us confidence and strength. On paper perhaps France, England and Spain have something more; when we were in pole position we almost always made a bad impression. Germany? It goes up and down.”
THE SINGLES – The former goalkeeper looked into Spalletti’s squad in depth, analyzing some individuals through anecdotes and curiosities: “The most anxious is usually the goalkeeper, for a role discussion. We are masochists! But he is too Federico Chiesa: up front he can play in any role, the important thing is that he convinces himself; footballers often tend to stay in comfort zones, whereas a coach can see other things. Between Jorginho And Pilgrims in midfield there is more personality. The most latecomer? In recent months there have been many call-ups but they have all been punctual, Spalletti pays a lot of attention to respecting the rules and timetables.”
STRETCHER – “The most competitive? Stretcher, has changed a lot in the last year. Often in the past you perceived his charge and leadership, but it happened that on the pitch he did it with negative gestures. In the last year he has become a positive driver. Between today and tomorrow he will do the crucial tests to understand if he will be available.”
COUNT AT NAPLES – There is also space for the coaching market, Buffon commented on the arrival of Antonio Conte on the Napoli bench as follows: “If it goes badly, they come second. There is great attention; and it’s very nice that there is this union between the passion of Naples and the charisma of Conte, I think a great mix can emerge. Players know that with him they will have a unique experience, close to mystical. And it will be worth it. From the outside he seems grumpy, but I found him to be a great corporate man. He never complains, this denotes an inner strength that has grown and nourished over time. 3-5-2? Every now and then we also talk about tactics, I think he is considering the idea of changing formation depending on who is better and the opponents to face. Modern football also requires it.”
THE NEW FOOTBALL – Gigi looks in perspective, with an eye towards the future: “The results are not the only thing that interests us, but it certifies the good work done. Maurizio Viscidi’s path is bearing succulent fruit. I think the interpretation of football has changed a lotand the path that Maurizio Viscidi is pursuing is bearing succulent fruit.”
CAMARDA – Buffon also spoke about Milan’s jewel Francesco Camarda, fresh winner of the Under 17 European Championship with Italy and protected by the Rossoneri: “He did well to renew, I think that every now and then the club should be given credit for having believed in you. He made a smart choice, and it would be nice if it became a flag“.
THE ANECDOTE WITH GATTUSO – During his speech Buffon also tells an anecdote with Rino Gattuso, who risked being left out of the 2006 World Cup due to an injury: “They wanted to send him home, so he tied himself up and said they wouldn’t send him away. He stayed. And it was decisive.”
