Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has defended Gianlugi Buffon after the goalkeeper’s mistake in Italy’s draw with Croatia.
Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has defended Gianlugi Buffon after the goalkeeper’s mistake in Italy’s draw with Croatia.
The Azzurri captain made an uncharacteristic error for Croatia’s equaliser, allowing Ivan Perisic’s strike to slip under his body.
Speaking at the Gazzetta dello Sport’s ‘Bello del Calcio’ awards, Marotta took the time to defend the Bianconeri goalkeeper.
“Buffon is a great player and a great professional,” Marotta informed reporters.
“However, no-one is infallible.
“It’s impossible to criticise him, he’s demonstrated many times that he has the professionalism to defend the Italy goal very well.”
The Azzurri have been criticised for their performance in the Euro 2016 qualifier which was marred by the actions of a number of Croatian fans, with flares being thrown onto the pitch.
“These things have nothing to do with football and sport,” Marotta blasted.
“Luckily our [Italy’s] fans were not involved. I hope UEFA take tough action.
“As for the performance, you have to be self-critical.
“We must sit down and think of ways to return Italy to the highest levels, as we were in the days of [Francesco] Totti and [Alessandro] Del Piero.”