Gigi Buffon says it is up to Italy’s senior players to lead the Azzurri to next summer’s World Cup.
Giampiero Ventura’s team can no longer win their qualifying group after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Macedonia left them five points adrift of Spain with one match left to play.
They are guaranteed a play-off place but must beat Albania tomorrow in order to be seeded for the draw.
“It would have been better if we’d won,” captain Buffon said of the disappointing draw on Friday.
Gigi Buffon says it is up to Italy’s senior players to lead the Azzurri to next summer’s World Cup.
Giampiero Ventura’s team can no longer win their qualifying group after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Macedonia left them five points adrift of Spain with one match left to play.
They are guaranteed a play-off place but must beat Albania tomorrow in order to be seeded for the draw.
“It would have been better if we’d won,” captain Buffon said of the disappointing draw on Friday.
“If we have the ambition to improve and to be contenders, we need to analyse the performance before the result.
“Friday’s was not the best expression of our team.”
The veteran goalkeeper added that Italy’s problems are ‘psychological’ and admits he doesn’t understand why his team’s second half performance was so poor.
“It was a strange game because in the first half we didn’t do badly.
“We created three or four chances and only gave them one shot.
“In the second half we got scared and I don’t understand why. They were still playing in the same way.
“If they caused us problems, it’s our own fault. It’s all down to something psychological.
“In situations like this, it needs to be up to the senior players to lead the others.”
Italy’s players are reported to have held a team meeting yesterday in order to get to the bottom of their issues, and Buffon reiterated that it is up to him and other experienced squad members to lead a revivial in fortunes.
“We need to respond immediately, especially those with more experience.
“I look at myself first. We need to find the way to respond, starting on Monday.
“It’s part of the responsibility of our role. If you are considered a veteran, an important member of the team, you need to start doing your bit and helping whoever needs it.
“Then, you will see that things are going better.”