- Click here for the complete
"Italy Seem to be in Better Shape than France," says Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon on the EURO 2008 Match France - Italy
By Anna
Italia
Covering the UEFA EURO 2008 from an Italian Perspective
Click here to find everything about the UEFA EURO 2008 Italian National Team
A positive attitude, a sense of "trust me," that's what Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon transmitted today during the press conference in Casa Azzurri on preparation for the Third EURO 2008 Match France - Italy on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Letzingrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland.
Buffon strongly believes that the AZZURRI will pass the turn.
"Every previous matches doesn't count. We know that France - Italy is a match where we are either in our out.
On the UEFA decision to select Referee Slovak Lobos michel for the France - Italy match
"I think it's the right decision. He is a a good referee and this match is crucial. It is a guarantee for this match that no one expected it was going to be decisive."
Why being optimistic?
ItaliaCovering the UEFA EURO 2008 from an Italian Perspective
Click here to find everything about the UEFA EURO 2008 Italian National Team
A positive attitude, a sense of "trust me," that's what Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon transmitted today during the press conference in Casa Azzurri on preparation for the Third EURO 2008 Match France - Italy on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Letzingrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland.
| Buy your Official Italian National Team Gear Click Here (Jersey, Caps, Balls, etc)  |
"Every previous matches doesn't count. We know that France - Italy is a match where we are either in our out.
On the UEFA decision to select Referee Slovak Lobos michel for the France - Italy match
"I think it's the right decision. He is a a good referee and this match is crucial. It is a guarantee for this match that no one expected it was going to be decisive."
Why being optimistic?
"Football gives and
takes away at the same time. Two years ago, in Germany, it gave us a lot and in
2002, it took away a lot. In Portugal we had 5 points and we were out; here, we
may be able to go forward with 2. That would be fantastic."
On the match France - Italy
"My feeling? Italy seem to be in better shape than France, but when you play a dry game, that may not make a difference and this is like a final. We have shown signs of recovery, but it's necessary to see if they have regrouped after their defeat against the Netherlands."
On the match Netherlands - Romania
Contrary to what some rumors that there might be a "complot" to eliminate Italy and that Netherlands will not play with their main lineup to help Romania. Gigi says it will be "a real match."
"This is the game of a lifetime also for them; it could have an adverse effect for them; the classical boomerang effect, while Holland are calm. And then, who says that Van Basten wants to eliminate Italy and France in one shot? If we consider the results, I'd rather meet one of us again in the semi-finals."
On Referee decisions on the matches against Netherlands and Romania
"My feeling? Italy seem to be in better shape than France, but when you play a dry game, that may not make a difference and this is like a final. We have shown signs of recovery, but it's necessary to see if they have regrouped after their defeat against the Netherlands."
On the match Netherlands - Romania
Contrary to what some rumors that there might be a "complot" to eliminate Italy and that Netherlands will not play with their main lineup to help Romania. Gigi says it will be "a real match."
"This is the game of a lifetime also for them; it could have an adverse effect for them; the classical boomerang effect, while Holland are calm. And then, who says that Van Basten wants to eliminate Italy and France in one shot? If we consider the results, I'd rather meet one of us again in the semi-finals."
On Referee decisions on the matches against Netherlands and Romania
"We need to think only about our match against France. We need to focus
without making calculations and without thinking of the Dutch. After a loss like the one in our debut
match, either you succumb or you throw away your watch, like against Romania. I
have a good feeling. Towards the end, we showed we could win and at the end we
were soaked in sweat because we played to the maximum."
On his apology to Italian fans after the Netherlands 3 - 0 Italy
On his apology to Italian fans after the Netherlands 3 - 0 Italy
"I have apologized and I am not ashamed of it. Because I'm sure that at the end,
they will be thankful to us. On Tuesday, we will have to
play for ourselves and to make it clear that the World Cup wasn't an isolated
success. If we go on to the next round, we will help Donadoni. We have nerve and
will to win, although the circumstances also matter, because they depend on good
or bad luck. If we move on to the quarter-finals, it will be because we've given
it our best. The amount of pressure is right. The games we are playing both in
practice and on the pitch are good for me and my team-mates: we are ready; we
need these types of matches."
On Antonio Cassano
On Antonio Cassano
"Antonio should count to 5 before talking. I hammer at him everyday, at the table and on the bus. I have
taken the liberty to do that because I know I can do it. But he has matured, he
has learned to be more poised: he avoids playing just for the stands and he is a
team player. His boldness gives him more confidence and he knows what he wants. It's necessary to have a bit of good luck and maybe then
Euro 2008 will make history. On Friday 8 minutes before the end of the game, we
were out of Euro 2008, and now we are here and we believe. Those are good
signs." It's good to have faith in them.
Posted by Anna Italia at 6/15/2008 12:53 PM 
Categories: Juventus, Italian National Team, General Soccer News, Euro 2008
Categories: Juventus, Italian National Team, General Soccer News, Euro 2008
I hope he is right about the Netherlands. we all know they can eliminate both France and Italia, they can't be blamed if they do so no one can be blamed other than Italia and France! Anything else I agree, Nina would love what he commented on Cassano!
Reply to this
I don't think Van Basten will do something intentionally to eliminate Italy. He is part of La Famiglia too.
Reply to this
And I hope your right, Anna!
Reply to this
Milan99, you are right,i'm always happy to hear about Cassano.I'm even planning to go to Genoa sometime next season to watch him play for Samp.
I just love the way Buffon is taking the big brother role with Cassano and it is good to know that he has the team's full support.This further shows how great Buffon is and not just on the pitch,but also behind the scenes helping our troubled,yet beloved prince from Bari.Viva our Azzurri united and Viva my Cassano for keeping his sanity so far.
Reply to this
Your right Nina, I love how the Azzurri are a big family! girl plan to take me with you!
FORZA AZZURRI!
FORZA CASSANO!
Reply to this
Milan,why not, you can always come with me.However, before we go, we better buy life insurance just in case Cassano goes crazy on us ahhahahhah.
Reply to this
lol @Nina! No problem girl, u and I will be more crazy than Cassano, just imagine u and I talking to Cassano!!! BIG TIME CRAZINESS!!!(U got to translate for me
Reply to this
Nina, hello, you better take many photos with Cassano so we can post them here! Make sure to sign one for all of us here too.
I love Buffon too. He is my untouchable.
I was laughing when reading your dueling with Pietro about giving him a 7 rate. He had a point and all gave him a 7 too. Anyway, you made peace when he sang PO PO PO PO for your Cassano. That was a blast!!!!!
I love how you guys get carried away defending your favorite players... I DO THE SAME with my untouchables... aha ha ah aha
Reply to this
Anna, come on,be fair, only a 7 for Cassano? I'm crushed,just kidding.You are right we each get crazy when defending our favorite players.Make it 7.5 for me hahhaha.
Reply to this
Changing grades... LOL. I understand you because I am like you defending my untouchables... Cassano on that match deserves the 7
Reply to this