Pepe Reina describes Gianluigi Buffon as “an example for any goalkeeper” ahead of Italy vs Spain tonight.
Buffon is the captain of both the Azzurri and Juventus, and will make his 164th appearance for his country tonight barring any last-minute surprises.
“At 38, Buffon remains one of the best goalkeepers around,” Napoli ‘keeper Reina told Marca.
Pepe Reina describes Gianluigi Buffon as “an example for any goalkeeper” ahead of Italy vs Spain tonight.
Buffon is the captain of both the Azzurri and Juventus, and will make his 164th appearance for his country tonight barring any last-minute surprises.
“At 38, Buffon remains one of the best goalkeepers around,” Napoli ‘keeper Reina told Marca.
“In Italy he’s a point of reference for all young people, and he’s in good form. I have a good relationship with him, despite the rivalry between Juventus and Napoli.
“There’s mutual respect, and on my part there’s a lot of admiration. He’s an example for anyone goalkeeper.”
Reina is in the Spanish squad for tonight’s game, and was asked about the Italy team and their 3-5-2 shape.
“It’s very difficult to play against that formation, [CT Giampiero] Ventura used it at Torino for many years too.
“The three central defenders and goalkeeper from Juventus are a well-oiled machine that have allowed Juve to be the team in Serie A which has conceded the least goals for many years now.
“I particularly like [Leonardo] Bonucci, he’s impressive with the ball at his feet, he’s aggressive in defence and when he gets on the ball he’s almost like a midfielder.
“I really like [Antonio] Candreva, he’s very complete, he can play in a lot of positions and he’s doing well at Inter. I don’t know if [Daniele] De Rossi or [Marco] Verratti will play, but they’re both points of reference for their style.
“De Rossi has so much experience in these kind of games and he’ll take all that onto the pitch with him. No matter who plays, their midfield plays with very few touches, trying to get the ball from defence to attack very quickly.
“[Graziano] Pellè is a player who has exploded recently and he gave us a lot of headaches at the Euros. He works perfectly with Eder, that’s a pair that will cause us problems.
“Italy, with all due respect, have never had an overly talented team, but even if they don’t play the best football they're always among the most competitive.
“The word that best defines Italy is competitiveness, their ability to compete no matter what the game is. They’re winners.”
Tonight’s match will be played at Juventus Stadium, and the former Liverpool man is looking forward to the atmosphere in Turin.
“It will be full and right behind Italy,” Reina noted.
“It will be nice, we won’t suffer from panic or fear, we have to show our personality and our style of play.
“These kind of games are nice to play in any scenario, but to play it at Juventus Stadium is a privilege.”