SPAL and Italy Under-21 goalkeeper Alex Meret has no desire to push Gigi Buffon off the international scene. “He still deserves to be first choice.”
Buffon was expected to hang up his gloves after the 2018 World Cup, but Italy’s failure to qualify seems to have changed his plans and he started last night’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Argentina.
While Gianluigi Donnarumma and Mattia Perin are waiting to take over, Meret has been given the Under-21 role.
SPAL and Italy Under-21 goalkeeper Alex Meret has no desire to push Gigi Buffon off the international scene. “He still deserves to be first choice.”
Buffon was expected to hang up his gloves after the 2018 World Cup, but Italy’s failure to qualify seems to have changed his plans and he started last night’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Argentina.
While Gianluigi Donnarumma and Mattia Perin are waiting to take over, Meret has been given the Under-21 role.
“I saw his performance last night for Italy and Buffon continues to do really well, so he deserves to be first choice,” Meret told Rai Sport.
“When it’ll be the turn for the others, then we’ll see what happens. It’s a moment of transition for the Nazionale and these friendlies are helpful to rebuild the squad.”
The Azzurrini were held 1-1 by Norway in another friendly and will visit their Serbian counterparts in Novi Sad on Tuesday.
“It’ll be tough, but we are aware of our capabilities and want to get the result. It’s disappointing to have only drawn with Norway, because we were the better team and simply didn’t make the most of the chances we created.
“I am in the middle of a growth process. I will return to Udinese at the end of the season and then we’ll see, but I am not thinking about the transfer market.”