The Italy captain had feared missing the entire World Cup, admits Gigi Buffon. “I never dreamed I’d recover so quickly.”
The goalkeeper sprained his ankle on the Manaus turf the night before their opening game with England, but was back for the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.
The Italy captain had feared missing the entire World Cup, admits Gigi Buffon. “I never dreamed I’d recover so quickly.”
The goalkeeper sprained his ankle on the Manaus turf the night before their opening game with England, but was back for the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.
“It was a heavy psychological blow for me, because not even in the best case scenario did I dream that I’d recover so quickly,” he said in a Press conference.
“This put me in a good mood and frankly I really needed that.”
Much has been said during this World Cup about the Brazilian heat and humidity, as South and Central American sides appear to thrive in the conditions.
“I don’t believe in alibis, as I’ve never sought or liked them,” noted Buffon.
“The climactic conditions are difficult, almost impossible, but they are for everyone here. We have seen confirmation many teams unaccustomed to this tropical climate struggled, but that doesn’t mean we need to go looking for excuses.
“The truth is that against Costa Rica we were unable to play the same kind of football as against England, not even in short bursts.”