Gianluigi Buffon, the head of delegation for the Italian national team, has emphasized the need for the Azzurri to regain their form and spirit ahead of their crucial match against France. Speaking at ‘Casa Italia’ in Paris, where he met with Italian athletes participating in the 2024 Paralympic Games, Buffon shared his thoughts on the current state of the national team.
“Being here is first and foremost a great pride, and also a beautiful surprise because you’re dealing with boys and girls who truly give you an example of what it means to overcome limits, never be satisfied, and not feel sorry for yourself. This is an incredible lesson from them,” Buffon remarked, drawing inspiration from the Paralympic athletes.
When asked if this lesson could be transferred to the national team, which needs to regain self-esteem and personality, Buffon responded, “Yes, we need to rediscover some results, and if that fails, at least rediscover the performance and a soul that from August until the European Championship had been evident with good responses and good results.”
Reflecting on Italy’s recent performances, Buffon acknowledged the challenges faced during the European Championship. “The first three matches of the Euros were not simple, ours was the group of death, but we still managed to pass it as runners-up. And then, however, we stumbled at the most beautiful moment, in the most important match, giving a bad impression of ourselves: this is something that must be put behind us as soon as possible.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against France, Buffon sees it as an opportunity for redemption. “In this sense, tomorrow’s match could be the right one to give a strong signal,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of the fixture for Italy’s morale and standing.
