Gigi Buffon Acknowledges Public Doubt But Backs Italy's Resilience

Italy's Head of Delegation, Gianluigi Buffon, acknowledges public skepticism surrounding the Azzurri but expresses strong confidence in the players' ability to perform under pressure.

The Italian national team is commencing preparations today in Coverciano for their crucial 2026 World Cup play-off matches.

Buffon Emphasizes Respect for Opponents

Italy is scheduled to play Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26. Should they advance, their final play-off fixture will be an away game against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speaking on Domenica Sportiva, Buffon remarked, "The moment of truth is upon us. The past 120 days have been challenging, yet they have fostered a profound spirit and understanding essential for success."

Notably, Italy has failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, and their last appearance in a knockout match at the tournament dates back to 2006, the year they won the title.

Buffon acknowledged, "Indeed, we sense the public's skepticism. However, I am confident that even our strongest critics will rally behind Italy once the match begins."

He emphasized, "Primarily, we must send a message to ourselves, one that will ultimately sway public opinion."

He further added, "These are robust individuals, adept at managing all forms of pressure. The Italian national team possesses a unique magic that transcends our current challenges."

Buffon concluded by stating, "While we must show respect to Northern Ireland, I believe a 100% effort from our team will be sufficient to reach the Final. The players need to recognize their own capabilities."

In terms of squad news, Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini, and Gianluca Scamacca are set to undergo medical assessments today. Federico Chiesa, however, has already withdrawn from the squad, having been declared "unavailable for the upcoming two matches."

The Juventus forward has been absent from the Italian national team for nearly two years, with his most recent international cap being in a major tournament's knockout stage.