Buffon says current champion Italy is being underestimated for the Euros

The legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, currently head of delegation for the Italian national team, considered this Wednesday that the ‘Azzurra’ are being underestimated by not being listed as one of the candidates for the Eurocup title, a competition in which they arrive as current champions.

“In my opinion, this Italy is probably being underestimated, but it is a very competitive Italy,” Buffon said at a press conference four days before the team’s tournament debut against Albania.

“What caught my attention the most, what also surprised me most positively about this group of players, is the importance they give to the idea of ​​representing their country, of wearing this shirt”, continued the former goalkeeper, world champion in 2006 and European runner-up in 2012.

𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝑨𝑴𝑶 𝒊𝒍 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒐 🌳👏🏻

The fund was born in a fund confiscated from crime 💙

Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/N5AiZbaN5t@Treedom #FIGC #seminiAMOilFuturo #ForestaAzzurra pic.twitter.com/60weyI8nhT

— Italian national team ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) June 12, 2024

Led by coach Luciano Spalletti, Italy is not among the favorites for the Euro title, after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and only guaranteeing a place in the continental tournament in the play-offs. Furthermore, their group is the most complicated, with Spain and Croatia.

“These players show a lot of humility and a desire to make themselves available to others. We also have in this group four, five or six players who are the best players in Europe and even in the world”, said Buffon, who played for the Azzurri in 176 games. between 1997 and 2016.

“We have an excellent group and individual figures who can make a difference. In short, everything that is necessary to have a great tournament”, added the former goalkeeper, for whom his successor, Gianluigi Donnarumma, “is a very strong point of the our team, a guarantee”.