Gigi Buffon insists Italy are only conceding so many goals because they are embracing “a more attacking mentality.”
The Azzurri let in eight in their three Confederations Cup group matches, including last night’s 4-2 defeat to Brazil.
Gigi Buffon insists Italy are only conceding so many goals because they are embracing “a more attacking mentality.”
The Azzurri let in eight in their three Confederations Cup group matches, including last night’s 4-2 defeat to Brazil.
“Fred’s goal? Well we were at the 90th minute chasing an equaliser, so you can get something wrong!” laughed the goalkeeper.
“I’m more annoyed by the Neymar free kick, as I shouldn’t have conceded it on ‘my’ post. If you really want to know, I didn’t even see the ball leave his foot, as there were at least seven or eight players in front of me.
“Perhaps we need a little more character and determination in defence, although in the second half we played absolutely on a par with Brazil, who I see as the favourites for this tournament.
“I think that some of the goals we concede come from the fact we are going for a more attacking mentality.
“Actually, I’ll say the last Nazionale I remember playing this way was in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Only now has that type of attacking approach returned to the Azzurri.”
While Italy conceded eight goals, they also scored eight – just one fewer than Group A winners Brazil.
Italy’s semi-final opponents on Thursday are likely to be Spain, who Buffon remembers all too well after losing 4-0 in the Euro 2012 Final.
“Spain are still the best team in the world, but we have to hope they are not the same side we saw in Kiev and above all that we do not repeat that performance.
“There was a big difference between us that day, but the group game in the same competition ended 1-1 and we more than held our own there.
“It would be good for us to build on the good work we did in the second half against Brazil.”