Juventus’ Gigi Buffon says ‘I was doing what Manuel Neuer does while at Parma’ and blasts the unfair criticism of goalkeepers in Italy.
Bayern Munich number one Neuer has been lauded for his ‘sweeper-keeper’ style of play and ability with the ball, but Buffon rejected that he is a pioneer in the position.
“What Neuer does, I was already doing at Parma under Malesani when we won the UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana,” Buffon told So Foot.
Juventus’ Gigi Buffon says ‘I was doing what Manuel Neuer does while at Parma’ and blasts the unfair criticism of goalkeepers in Italy.
Bayern Munich number one Neuer has been lauded for his ‘sweeper-keeper’ style of play and ability with the ball, but Buffon rejected that he is a pioneer in the position.
“What Neuer does, I was already doing at Parma under Malesani when we won the UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana,” Buffon told So Foot.
“I’ve always had the predisposition to play with my feet. The truly new thing was introduced by Barcelona a decade ago, by integrating the goalkeeper into the construction of the game.
“Is the Italian school of goalkeepers lost? If we make 100 saves and one error, the rest of the week will be spent talking just about the error, making you go crazy.
“But abroad you can make a mistake and develop calmly. With us if you make a mistake, you’re screwed. Those of us who stay at the top are very strong psychologically as well.”