Gigi Buffon admits that Italy will miss Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi on and off the pitch over the next six months.
Milan man Cassano is recovering from minor heart surgery, while the Villarreal forward recently damaged knee ligaments.
Gigi Buffon admits that Italy will miss Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi on and off the pitch over the next six months.
Milan man Cassano is recovering from minor heart surgery, while the Villarreal forward recently damaged knee ligaments.
“They are both missed,” the Juventus” data-scaytid=”5″>Juventus goalkeeper stated at the national side’s Coverciano training base.
“Their quality and their personality have given us a lot in the past and I’m convinced that they’ll be fit to give us a helping hand at Euro 2012.”
Cassano was one of the most lively elements of the Azzurri squad following the decision by boss Cesare Prandelli to reintegrate him into the set-up after being ignored by Marcello Lippi.
“Cassano has an exuberant character,” the custodian continued. “He likes to leave his mark on and off the pitch.
“We miss his touch of happiness and madness in the changing room. But I’m sure the future will be bright for him.”
Prandelli has recently been working on a Cassano-Rossi striking tandem, but he now has to find other solutions.
“There are four or five elements who are on the same level,” Buffon claimed.
“I think the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini, Daniel Osvaldo, Alessandro Matri and Mario Balotelli can step into the team.
“We’ve been following a certain project for a year and a half. Maybe something on a tactical level will now be modified slightly.”
Italy play Poland on Friday before hosting Uruguay next Tuesday.