Buffon: Italy have ‘6 or 7 high-level players’ and compares Esposito to 2006 World Cup winner

Italy’s delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon says that the national team currently has ‘six or seven’ high-level players, and has compared Inter’s Pio Esposito to one of his 2006 World Cup-winning former teammates: ‘I like his mindset, it’s not often you find these qualities in a guy of his age’. 

The Juventus and Italy legend gave a brief interview to Radio Anch’io on Tuesday following the 13th round of Serie A fixtures, discussing the national team and the possibility of having a get-together ahead of the World Cup play-off campaign. 

The Azzurri are attempting to have a mini ‘get-together’ ahead of the World Cup play-offs in March, given that, by the time those crucial fixtures roll around, it will have been almost four months since the last time the national team played together. 

Organising a one-off meet-up of the national team squad is tricky from a logistical point of view, though. 

“It’s complicated with this schedule, but not because there isn’t willingness from the clubs,” Buffon said. 

“Given that it’s such an intense schedule, there are no windows of two or three days for us to meet up again. We’ve had genuine openness from the clubs regarding a small meet-up, and possibly, we might be able to do something. That would make us happy.” 

Buffon also gave his thoughts on the current state of the national team, which finished second behind Norway in their World Cup qualification group. 

“In my opinion, we’re a strong national team,” Buffon said. “If we look at six or seven individuals, we have high-level players. The difficulty is trying to find that balance so that the individuals feel comfortable and are able to perform at 100%.” 

If there is one area where Italy has plenty of strength in depth, it is in Buffon’s former position. 

“For a few years, the level of goalkeeping in Italy has been very high, among the best leagues in the world. It means that Italian goalkeeper coaches are still the benchmark. Anyone who comes here always seems to perform well,” he said. 

Buffon also gave a word of praise to Inter’s Esposito, who has three goals from his first five national team caps. 

“I was impressed, I like his mindset, his attitude to work and his determination to improve. It’s not often you find these qualities in a guy of his age. In terms of characteristics, I compare him to Luca Toni.”