Buffon on his prejudice towards Gattuso and his prediction of Italy

Days after the Azzurri and Northern Ireland were drawn in the World Cup play off semifinal Buffon spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday.

Buffon cautioned that the nation would have celebrated qualifying for the World Cup rather than winning it in a few years when the Azzurri were ousted from the 2010 tournament. Unfortunately, time showed him to be correct.

Italy "rested on our strength," according to Buffon

"I realised that things were changing more quickly than anyone had anticipated. To a certain degree, it was a provocation. Additionally, Buffon stated, "I wanted us to stop telling ourselves stories that are no longer true."

"The outcomes of today date back to 20 years ago, when we relied on our strength. On Buffon, Cannavaro, and Totti, believing that by divine favour, it would last forever. We had to reconsider our tactical and technological concepts even at that time.

How can the federation change the trend, given that Gattuso has been employed by the FIGC for over two years?

"Begin at the bottom. When there is a true imprinting, I mean between the ages of seven and thirteen," Buffon stated.

"You can always get better after the age of fifteen, but talent is formed earlier." In addition to Mother Nature's assistance, which I would not ignore. We wanted to wait for the qualifications before defining everything, but we are speaking with Prandelli to figure out how to organise this work. What if things don't work out? We questioned ourselves. Everyone leaves, we head home, and then a new guy enters with fresh ideas, possibly erasing the project. You need stability if you start something like this.

Italy will travel to play Bosnia & Herzegovina or Wales if they advance to the World Cup play off Final. Buffon does not agree with Marco Materazzi's statement that he would love to play such an important game away.

Marco is not someone I agree with. The former goalie stated, "A little assistance counts in games like this, and the crowd gives you a huge boost."

"You are overcome with fear and are unable to play." Rather, you deserve the proper respect, remembering that you must advance past the semifinals in order to reach the Final; we cannot drown in a new North Macedonia.

It's safe to say that Buffon hasn't like criticism of the national team lately.

"No, and keeping making pointless analogies to the past just makes today's players feel inferior," he stated.

Buffon: Prejudice against Gattuso bothers me.

"There has always been a destructive game with the national team. I am well aware of it, but let's attempt to comprehend the historical context. Who gains from it?

"Gattuso is an excellent professional who has been tutoring for 12 years. This prejudice against him bothers me, and I don't understand why. I discuss ideas and solutions with him throughout the week, both before and after the game. He has excellent insight and makes all of the decisions, including the double center-forward.

"You journalists are well aware that Rino is the ideal head coach and the best person we could have selected."

You journalists converse with the players more often than we directors, and you are fully aware of their opinions regarding Rino. Don't assume we haven't seen how less critical the media is of us.

In order to give the national team extra time to be ready for the March 2026 match against Northern Ireland Gennaro Gattuso expects that Serie A games will be rescheduled.

"After a loss, we might wipe fake tears on our shirts after beating our chests while the anthem is playing. To be clear, we would really benefit from those free days. However, Buffon contended, "we must figure out how to be stronger even than these concessions we don't get."

We are strong, as Rino says. Forget about it. We simply cannot miss the World Cup; it is a form of enchantment that the nation is meant to experience. Let's support the dream.