The Azzurri squad has returned to the peninsula and were met with warm applause at Milan’s Malpensa Airport.
Roberto Donadoni’s men crashed out of the European Championships at the last eight stage following a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Spain.
Don’s future is uncertain with the nation’s media demanding the return of World Cup winning mastermind Marcello Lippi, but it seems that the public were satisfied with their side’s efforts.
Over 200 fans cheered the beaten players this afternoon on their return to home soil – a reception that cheered goalkeeper Gigi Buffon [pictured], who was one of Italy's most consistent performers in Austria and Switzerland.
“I didn’t expect a welcome of this kind,” he grinned. “It shows that the people know that we tried as hard as we could.”
