Gianluigi Buffon spoke at the Azzurri’s press conference earlier today, saying this team is being underestimated by some, while also pointing to the abilities of captain Gigi Donnarumma. Buffon, the new Head of delegation of the Italian National Team, addressed the gathered press alongside Giovanni Di Lorenzo, ahead of the start of the European Championships this weekend and talked about the teams chances in the competition:
How are you experiencing the build-up to the European Championship?
“I was very curious to see my feelings, how I would prepare myself in a different role, in a different guise. And now, for the past 4-5 days, the sensations and situations I’m reliving are analogous: the degree of adrenaline, attention, and lucidity have increased significantly compared to the first few days. I really want to be able to give my small contribution and for all of us to be able to do beautiful things.”
How do you view this National Team?
“In my opinion, this is a National Team that is probably underestimated, but it’s a very competitive team, first and foremost for the human depth of the guys who make it up. This is the thing that has surprised me the most and made me happiest, perceiving a sense of belonging towards this jersey. And then their attitude: with humility and a spirit of service, they are at the disposal of every guideline that the coach and the Federation transfers to them. That said, there are 4-5-6 elements who are at the top level worldwide. In addition to the group, we also have the right individuals to play a good competition.”
Will you go to Duisburg? What do you think of the goalkeepers?
“No, we’ll leave that among the memories because often the memory is much more beautiful than reality. I believe Donnarumma is a very firm point of our National Team, a strength: with Bosnia, he made an exceptional save, with a difficulty coefficient of 9.9 periodically. This gives us further security because you know you have a bulwark behind you even when you’re in difficulty. Vicario is a very reliable goalkeeper, he’s experiencing an exceptional parabola, and the experience in the Premier League has made him take a further step. And then there’s Meret, who is not the last arrival: as far as goalkeepers are concerned, Italy once again has a hotbed of talent available, as has not been seen for many, many years.”
