There was a bizarre moment late on when De Rossi was asked to warm up but pointed instead at Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, a player Ventura refused to call upon despite pressure from Italian media and supporters. “The era of four or five veterans comes to a close, the one of the hungry young players coming through begins and that’s how it should be.” ‘Send the strikers on!’ “I don’t know what we missed, all I know is we’re out of the World Cup, it’s a unique disappointment and leaving this group of lads is painful,” said defender Barzagli. We will meet with the federation and discuss it.”īuffon’s retirement was not the only one on a night of change for Italy. “Resignation? I have to evaluate an infinity of issues. “I’m sorry for being late, but every player I had the privilege of working with, I wanted to salute individually. “I have not resigned because I haven’t spoken to the president yet,” Ventura, 69, said. Italy manager Giampiero Ventura – under contract until 2020 – did not speak to national television after the defeat but arrived at a news conference 90 minutes after full time. “There is certainly a future for Italian football because we have pride, ability, determination and after bad tumbles, we always find a way to get back on our feet,” he said. Goalkeeper Buffon made 175 appearances for his country in a 20-year career – lifting the World Cup in 2006 – and believes the future could still be bright for the four-time world champions. The quartet have won 461 caps between them. There can’t be scapegoats.”īuffon’s Juventus team-mate Andrea Barzagli and Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi also ended their Italy careers, while Giorgio Chiellini is expected to join them. “Blame is shared equally between everyone. All rights reserved.Buffon, 39, said: “It’s a shame my last official game coincided with the failure to qualify for the World Cup. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. Italy are next in action on Tuesday when they take on Germany in a friendly in Munich. You can see how compact and coordinated we are in action." "When you have a squad which is struggling to produce the same kind of talent we saw four or five years ago, the only thing for it is to work, work, work. But he has dug a path with the national team and Italy has got to go in the direction football is going. "These two years have been an exception to Conte's normality. "He's a person who struggles being so distant from the training ground," Buffon said. It's a pleasure watching how he coaches, and we are thirsty to learn from him."Īt the same time, Buffon showed understanding for Conte's decision to return to club management after Euro 2016. "All I hope is that we continue along the path we started under Conte. "There are many people who could replace him, although I don't have anybody specific in mind," he said. The work Conte has done over the past two years has also contributed to a greater level of optimism heading into Euro 2016.Ĭonte is due to step down from his role as Italy boss in the summer, with sources telling ESPN FC last month that he has held talks with Chelsea about taking over at Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.īuffon hopes that whoever fills his boots beyond the summer will be able to further his work with the Azzurri. It gives me hope - these seeds will grow into something special." "I can see youngsters with a great desire to learn, and among them are players with great technical qualities. "I can see things have changed now," Buffon said. However, performances such as Insigne's in Udine on Thursday, have convinced him to go back on that statement. "He's a man who can make a difference."īuffon had pronounced in the wake of Italy's 2014 World Cup elimination that the younger players in the squad were not pulling their weight. "Given his qualities and the season he's having, particularly considering the demands placed on him at, Insigne is the man who can lift us onto the next level," Buffon told RAI television. The Napoli forward's goal in Italy's 1-1 draw against Spain on Thursday has boosted his chances of being included and Buffon, 38, has backed him to be a key player for the Azzurri in France. Insigne, 24, is one of the borderline choices Antonio Conte has to ponder before submitting his final selection to UEFA at the end of May. Gianluigi Buffon says Lorenzo Insigne must be part of Italy's squad for Euro 2016 since he is a player who can make a difference in France this summer. Lorenzo Insigne must make Italy's Euro 2016 squad - Gianluigi Buffon You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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