Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin says “it’s not just me and Gigio Donnarumma” who are competing to replace Gianluigi Buffon in the Italy squad.
The legendary Juventus goalkeeper is expected to retire at the end of the season, and the battle for his gloves is widely seen as being between the Grifone man and Milan’s 19-year-old.
“There are a lot of young goalkeepers who are having a great season,” Perin pointed out in an interview with Tiki Taka.
Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin says “it’s not just me and Gigio Donnarumma” who are competing to replace Gianluigi Buffon in the Italy squad.
The legendary Juventus goalkeeper is expected to retire at the end of the season, and the battle for his gloves is widely seen as being between the Grifone man and Milan’s 19-year-old.
“There are a lot of young goalkeepers who are having a great season,” Perin pointed out in an interview with Tiki Taka.
“Just look at the performances of [Salvatore] Sirigu, [Andrea] Consigli and [Marco] Sportiello in the last round of games.
“There will be a lot of competition, it’s not just me and Donnarumma. Competition is good for everyone, it helps and improves you and makes you bring out your best.
“As for Buffon, he’s a very cultured person and I can only learn from him. He’s my reference point, I became a goalkeeper because of him.
“It will be impossible to equal his career, I’ve been lucky enough to train with him and I’ll carry that inside my for my whole life.
“Every time a young goalkeeper comes through they put this label of the new Buffon on him.
“I never thought it could weigh on you, when I started this comparison was being made within a month, I’ve shouldered that burden along with other colleagues.”