Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon believes they have the
quality and the character to reach the latter stages of the 2014 FIFA World
Cup.
Cesare Prandelli's men appear to have been drawn in one
of the toughest groups for next month's tournament in Brazil, and will face
England in their opening game in Manaus on June 14 before taking on Costa Rica
and Uruguay.
Italy were eliminated in the group stages of the 2010
World Cup, but responded by reaching the final of the UEFA European
Championships in 2012.
Goalkeeper Buffon was also part of the side that won the
2006 World Cup and the 36-year-old is confident Italy can progress deep into
the competition this time around.
"A solid, well organised team that will never lose
games on its own," Buffon replied when asked by Gazzetta dello Sport what
to expect from Italy.
"It will be tough to beat us all, without exception.
Against us you sweat, because this group does not give anything to anyone on
the field.
"We have the technical and moral qualities to aim
high at the World Cup."
Buffon helped Juventus clinch a third consecutive Serie A
title this season and is pleased with the form he has displayed since
undergoing back surgery in 2010.
"For three years I have been giving answers very
important to myself and to those (who) doubted, appropriately, a full
recovery," Buffon added.
"At 36 I'm still here, at a high level, and it is a
great feeling."
The former Parma man's contract at Juve expires in 2015
and he has no desire to leave the Turin club.
"I'm fine in Turin," he explained. "And
the relationship with chairman Andrea Agnelli is nice and fair.
"He has already shown the willingness to support my
every decision. So everything will be very clear."
Culled from Soccerway
0 comments:
Post a Comment