Buffon targets repeat of 2000
Monday, June 9, 2008
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Gianluigi Buffon aims to emulate Francesco Toldo by frustrating the Netherlands as Italy start their attempt for a European crown which he believes they can win.
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When it comes to the UEFA European Championship, Dutch football fans have unhappy memories of Italian goalkeepers. Eight years ago, the brilliance of Francesco Toldo denied the Netherlands a place in the final of UEFA EURO 2000™ in a semi-final where he saved a first-half penalty from Frank de Boer and then, after the Azzurri's ten men had hung on for a goalless draw, secured their 3-1 shoot-out triumph by stopping Paul Bosvelt's kick.
Missed out
Ironically, Toldo only took his place between the posts in the 2000 finals because of an injury to the man preparing to line up against the Netherlands in Berne on Monday, Gianluigi Buffon. The Juventus goalkeeper, then 22 and playing for Parma FC, had been poised to feature in his first major international tournament before withdrawing from the squad with a hand injury. This time Buffon is ready to take centre stage against Marco van Basten's Oranje and another pre-tournament injury, that suffered by defender Fabio Cannavaro, should give him the chance to start as Italy captain. With Alessandro Del Piero, the most-capped player in Roberto Donadoni's squad, expected to begin on the bench against the Netherlands – Antonio Di Natale is favourite to partner Luca Toni in attack – Buffon is the obvious candidate to wear the armband.
'Pleased to wear armband'
"I'm very sad about Fabio's absence. He is most of all a point of reference for all of us," Buffon told euro2008.com on the eve of Italy's opening Group C fixture. "However, I think we still have a good defence, I'm positive abut that. It would be a great pleasure for me to wear the armband even if it would not be the first time. I think I deserve it as 12 years have passed since I made my debut with Italy. It's a matter of age – sooner or later I would have become captain anyway."
'Team to beat'
The 30-year-old, capped 82 times, is confident about the world champions' prospects in Austria and Switzerland, describing them as favourites to win UEFA EURO 2008™ and secure their first European crown since 1968. "Yes, I think we are the team to beat. We have worked well and we are curious to see how far we can go. We are starting to feel the right degree of tension ahead of the big game. It's very important to start well. We know that when you struggle in the first game everything becomes more complicated. We are fully aware of the importance of this game and we are ready."