Gianluigi Buffon sees Brazil as the favourites to win the Confederations Cup and the Azzurri as “ambassadors for Italian football.”
The tournament kicks off on Sunday with hosts South Africa taking on Iraq, while Italy begin their campaign against USA on Monday evening.
“It has been three years since we lifted the World Cup,” said the goalkeeper. “Straight after that competition we would have been the favourites here, but now it is a very balanced competition.
“Brazil might have something more than the rest in terms of quality and sheer quantity of talent, but Italy and Spain will be challengers.”
Italy will take on the Selecao in the group phase on June 21, hoping for revenge after they were beaten 2-0 in a friendly back in February.
“The Confederations Cup is important to me. The best teams from each continent are coming together and when you wear the shirt of the Nazionale, you have to do it justice.”
The Azzurri are on average the oldest team in the competition, even though at 18 Davide Santon is one of the youngest individuals.
“There is a project to maintain the winning squad with the gradual introduction of youngsters who can already give guarantees.
“In the next year leading up to the World Cup, there will probably be a few more lads who become ready for the Azzurri.
“Italian football always churns out players who can replace even the top champions.”
However, Buffon admits sticking with the old guard might not necessarily be wise for Coach Marcello Lippi.
“What would happen if we flopped here? It would depend on the circumstances, but the old guard certainly wouldn’t outstay their welcome.”
The medical staff has stated that there are issues with the altitude in South Africa and that this Confederations Cup experience is useful at gathering data for 2010.
“With this altitude the pace of the game is faster, but it cannot be considered an alibi, as we are in the same boat as the other teams,” added the goalkeeper.
“I think coming here a year early could well be useful.”
|
