Gigi Buffon saw “a convincing start” to Italy’s Confederations Cup after they beat Mexico 2-1.
“It was a convincing start,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia. “We faced a team that we respected, who are well organised and put us under tactical and physical pressure.
Gigi Buffon saw “a convincing start” to Italy’s Confederations Cup after they beat Mexico 2-1.
“It was a convincing start,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia. “We faced a team that we respected, who are well organised and put us under tactical and physical pressure.
“Are we stronger than Brazil at the moment? I wouldn’t say that, as Brazil are also playing on home turf. I think that must be a boost for them.
“We want to be competitive, which we already proved at Euro 2012. We want to raise the bar every time.
“Finishing in the top four of this Confederations Cup would already be a good result and a sign of consistency.”
It was a world away from the performances against the Czech Republic and Haiti.
“When the game is worth something important, we always put in a performance,” noted Buffon.
“Andrea Pirlo’s free kick was a masterpiece, especially on his 100th appearance and at the Maracanà. He gave himself the best present and one that a great player like him fully deserved.”