Gigi Buffon said Italy are “worried to the right degree” against Uruguay and raise their game in difficulty, but “elimination would be a failure.”
The Group D decider kicks off in Natal on Tuesday at 17.00 UK time (13.00 local time), as a point will be enough for the Azzurri to go through.
Gigi Buffon said Italy are “worried to the right degree” against Uruguay and raise their game in difficulty, but “elimination would be a failure.”
The Group D decider kicks off in Natal on Tuesday at 17.00 UK time (13.00 local time), as a point will be enough for the Azzurri to go through.
“History teaches us the higher the stakes, the more we deliver. Mind you, it would be a little masochistic and risky if we only performed when we were drowning…” confessed the goalkeeper in a Press conference.
“This is my 10th major tournament and only once, in last year’s Confederations Cup, where we already qualified before the third game.
“Uruguay are a side to be feared and there is an echo effect from the recent games. We are coming off a deserved defeat to Costa Rica, while Uruguay are fresh from beating England.
“I wasn’t so worried in South Africa four years ago, as we needed only a draw against Slovakia. Here it’s more demanding and our opponents more of a concern. Let’s say we are worried to the right degree.”
In 2010 the Azzurri went out in the group phase, losing that decider to Slovakia, though Buffon was out injured. What would happen if Italy went out in the first round of their second World Cup running?
“We certainly wouldn’t go into history as the best Italy side. It would be a huge disappointment for each player, for the group and considered a failure for the team. Nobody can deny that. Nobody is afraid of taking the responsibility that comes with it.
“If we do go through, then there will be some very tough opponents waiting for us. Perhaps our problems would’ve just begun, but going out in the second round or quarter-finals is different to a group stage exit.
“Optimism is found with performances and a great game on Tuesday. It will require many ingredients: a passionate heart and cool head, plus a certain belief that mustn’t be ruined by a single game that went wrong.”