Gianluigi Buffon was a little disappointed following the start of the World Cup in Qatar and suggested that Juventus would be the team to watch in January.
The competition kicked off in Qatar yesterday with Ecuador’s 2-0 win over the hosts, a match that seemed unbefitting of the occasion. Later in the day, Italy faced off against Austria in a friendly, suffering a 2-0 loss. Juventus won their last six consecutive games heading into this international break and will be keen to make a statement in the second half of the season.
Speaking to Rai Radio1, Buffon first gave his thoughts on the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
“It is strange because clearly the emotional involvement is usually very high, while in this case it wasn’t.
“I didn’t understand whether this was due to Italy’s absence or whether it was the fault of the lack of media coverage due to the fact that it is being played in winter in the middle of the seasons.
“The ceremony was beautiful. The match was a bit more disappointing, I expected more from Qatar. But I think if you think about their game, they were affected by the responsibility.
“In my opinion they are stronger than what we saw yesterday. Not being used to playing certain events, with a full stadium, may have affected them.”
He commented on if he’d have preferred to lose the European Championship but qualify for the World Cup.
“It depends at what age. At 40 I probably would have preferred to win the European Championship because I wouldn’t have had another chance to win it.
“If I was younger, participating in the World Cup is something you wouldn’t trade for anything.”
The 2006 World Cup winner explained why he’ll be supporting Cameroon at the tournament.
“I have always supported them as a second team, ever since the 1982 World Cup and then found this consecration in 1990 when it was the real surprise of the Italian World Cup.
“There were several players who entered my heart, I know the entire 1990 squad by heart.”
Buffon discussed the political situation surrounding the World Cup, from the migrant workers’ rights to the protests in Iran.
“I think Iran’s presence is very fair because sport has to be meritocratic and they have deserved this opportunity on the pitch. If then this participation also becomes a way to send signals of collective humanity, it is welcome. Long live the courage of Iran’s players.”
He touched on the strengths of Juventus ahead of January.
“Juventus, in my opinion, when the season starts again, will be a team to watch because with their full squad, Juve can be scary.
“Now talking about a comeback in the league seems to me out of place, because to give way two difficult things would have to happen.
“The first is that Juve give consistency to the last results, the other is that Napoli jam up and seeing Spalletti’s team in the first four to five months they look like a perfect machine.
“It is clear that the habit of being in these positions plays a fundamental role. But I think there is a joy in Spalletti’s head and in that of his players that I have not seen at other times.”
He spoke about the growth of Italian goalkeepers in recent years.
“Two things have happened: the first is that they have given Italian goalkeepers the chance to play and make mistakes without being immediately sidelined.
“The second is that some of them, like Vicario or Provedel, have also grown in age and have found the maturity that justifies the role they are playing in their respective teams and the media consideration.
“Vicario is doing things out of the ordinary. Provedel is having a season of incredible linearity with a very high performance.
“Then there is also Meret, who is having an exceptional season in Napoli together with the team, and now Carnesecchi is also back and should be taken into consideration because he has champion shots. The reservoir of Italian goalkeepers is important.”
Finally, Buffon discussed Italy’s friendly loss to Austria.
“You can’t make a judgement based on the game against Austria. As we know, we have never excelled when playing friendly matches. The coach wanted to test us with a view to the future, so to give too negative a judgement would be completely misleading.”