Buffon back for friendly matches

AFP, FLORENCE: Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon looks set for a return to international action in friendlies against England and Argentina in March, interim national coach Luigi Di Biagio said on Monday.

“I spoke to him, he will probably be part of the group in March, a player like him cannot stop after Sweden,” said Di Biagio.

Buffon was inconsolable as he announced his retirement after Italy's disastrous 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat to Sweden in the San Siro last November, as the Azzurri failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The 40-year-old Juventus goalkeeper had represented the Azzurri for 20 years, winning the 2006 World Cup title, and earning a record 175 caps in a brilliant career. He had been bidding for a record sixth World Cup appearance.

“It's not fair that his last game was the one against Sweden, so I proposed that he come back for one, two or possibly three games. Gigi (Buffon) will probably be there in March,” continued Di Biagio of friendlies against Argentina and England, in Manchester and London on March 23 and 27.

“Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alex Meret? We're doing well with goalkeepers for the next 20 years. (Mattia) Perin is there too, and when Gigi unfortunately stops we'll be well covered.

“We're solid from that point of view, but Gigi's story doesn't have to end with that Sweden game.”

Di Biagio said he had also been in contact with other members of Italy's golden generation of World Cup winners.

“I've met with some of the veterans, because I understood that some of them wanted to quit. I talked to Buffon to see if he wanted to continue.

 

Buffon back for friendly matches

AFP, FLORENCE: Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon looks set for a return to international action in friendlies against England and Argentina in March, interim national coach Luigi Di Biagio said on Monday. I spoke to him, he will probably be part of the group in March, a player like him cannot stop after Sweden, said Di Biagio. Buffon was inconsolable as he announced his retirement after Italys disastrous 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat to Sweden in the San Siro last November, as the Azzurri failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958. The 40-year-old Juventus goalkeeper had represented the Azzurri for 20 years, winning the 2006 World Cup title, and earning a record 175 caps in a brilliant career. He had been bidding for a record sixth World Cup appearance. Its not fair that his last game was the one against Sweden, so I proposed that he come back for one, two or possibly three games. Gigi (Buffon) will probably be there in March, continued Di Biagio of friendlies against Argentina and England, in Manchester and London on March 23 and 27. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alex Meret? Were doing well with goalkeepers for the next 20 years. (Mattia) Perin is there too, and when Gigi unfortunately stops well be well covered. Were solid from that point of view, but Gigis story doesnt have to end with that Sweden game. Di Biagio said he had also been in contact with other members of Italys golden generation of World Cup winners. Ive met with some of the veterans, because I understood that some of them wanted to quit. I talked to Buffon to see if he wanted to continue.