Gianluigi Buffon accepts the “witch hunt” that Italy have been subjected to after their 3-0 defeat to Spain as “we have to give answers on the pitch.”
Italy were hounded by their national Press after a damaging loss in Madrid on Saturday, with Buffon particularly scrutinised for his failure to keep out at least one La Roja’s goals.
Gianluigi Buffon accepts the “witch hunt” that Italy have been subjected to after their 3-0 defeat to Spain as “we have to give answers on the pitch.”
Italy were hounded by their national Press after a damaging loss in Madrid on Saturday, with Buffon particularly scrutinised for his failure to keep out at least one La Roja’s goals.
“Hurt by criticism? I think it’s normal, I think in the last six or seven years, the first criticisms emerged when my performance levels dropped,” the Juventus goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think it’s normal. I have to give my answers on the pitch. Israel? It’s an important game for everyone.
“We have to qualify for these play-offs. After that, we want to forget about what happened in Madrid.
“We’re a wounded team, who didn’t play how we wanted. We must give signs of continuity and awakening.
“"We know that when there are important matches and we don’t play well in them, especially with this national team, there’s this witch hunt.
“Sometimes this behaviour may be exaggerated, but for those who know about it already, it’s nothing new.
“After a 3-0 defeat, we were expecting criticism. We knew it would be like this, so we have to give answers on the pitch.”