Buffon: «For Italy I would have chosen Conte. Pirlo? It was a

Context

Gianluigi Buffon, former captain of the Italian national team and one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, remains an influential voice in the sport. His analysis of Andrea Pirlo's selection and defense underlines his connection with Italian football, while his preference for Antonio Conte as coach reveals his views on leadership and strategy in the context of Serie A football.

Why this matters

Gianluigi Buffon's analysis of the Italian team is crucial, especially after his departure from the FIGC. He highlights the importance of a strong leader and the need to give young talent more opportunities, reflecting concerns about the future of Italian football. Buffon, an emblematic figure in football, brings to light issues that could impact the evolution of the Italy National Team and its competitiveness on the international stage.

Main conclusions

Buffon: «For Italy I would have chosen Conte. Pirlo? It was one.
Buffon analyzes the direction of the Italian team: Mancini is a “technically fair choice”, but his favorite would be Conte.
Buffon: "Per l’Italia avrei scelto Conte. Pirlo? Goffa macchinazione politica".

Gianluigi Buffon broke his silence on the present and future of the Italian national team, following his departure from the FIGC, and left a frank analysis on the protagonists and challenges of Transalpine football. In

“Mancini is a technically right choice, because he demonstrated functional football for a project”, summarized Buffon, highlighting the coherence of the coach’s career. Even so, the former international explained that, if he had to indicate an ideal profile to lead the national team, he would have chosen Antonio Conte. “Avrei scelto Conte, poi Baldini e via via gli altri”, he said, also placing Baldini among the options he most likes for a top position.

The former number 1 also evoked his own sense of belonging in the most delicate phases of his career, remembering the episode in which he accompanied Juventus in their relegation to Serie B and accepted a salary reduction. A way of highlighting that, in Italian football, commitment and leadership count as much as tactics. In this context, Buffon also praised Claudio Ranieri: “He gives a thousand personal and technical guarantees”, he acknowledged, highlighting the reliability of the veteran coach.

Another delicate point addressed was Andrea Pirlo. Buffon came to the defense of the former midfielder and coach, considering that the controversy linked to a “Russian website” was nothing more than a political attempt, “goffa and unsuccessful”, to label him as unpresentable. In the former captain's view, Pirlo was the target of an unfair process that had nothing to do with his football competence.

Buffon also revealed that he turned down a proposal from Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to take on coordination roles between Italy's senior team and youth teams. As he explained, he preferred to dedicate himself to his family and recover his energy before embracing new projects.

In the more structural diagnosis, the former goalkeeper pointed the finger at a chronic problem in Italian football: the lack of opportunities for young talents. “We will perhaps be the fifth European championship, but we are still afraid of putting young people to play”, he lamented, warning of the need to change mentalities and practices in clubs to guarantee a competitive pipeline for the national team.

Buffon's words come at a moment of reflection for the Nazionale, between the demand for immediate results and the urgency to renew the player base. Between praise, technical preferences and constructive criticism, the former captain redefined the debate surrounding the direction of the selection, making it clear that the future involves strong choices on the bench and the courage to launch talent on the field.

What happens next

With Buffon criticizing the lack of space for young players, the FIGC is expected to re-evaluate its talent development policies. The choice of Roberto Mancini as coach, although recognized as technically correct, could be questioned if the results do not meet expectations. Furthermore, the possibility of Buffon taking on a role in the national team structure in the future is not entirely ruled out, as he has expressed an interest in contributing to Italian football.

Frequently asked questions

What did Gianluigi Buffon say about the Italian team?

Buffon commented on the present and future of the Italian national team, recognizing the work of Roberto Mancini, but expressing his preference for Antonio Conte as the team's leader.

Who confirmed Buffon's preference for Antonio Conte?

Gianluigi Buffon confirmed his preference for Antonio Conte during an interview with the daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

Why did Buffon talk about Andrea Pirlo?

Buffon defended Andrea Pirlo, stating that the controversy related to a 'Russian website' was an unsuccessful political attempt to label him as unpresentable.

What changes does Buffon suggest for the leadership of the Italian team?

Buffon suggests that, if he had the choice, he would opt for Antonio Conte and Baldini to lead the Italian team, highlighting the importance of commitment and leadership.

What is Buffon's opinion of Roberto Mancini?

Buffon considers Mancini a technically correct choice, praising his work and the functionality of his project, although he prefers Conte.